Don’t call it a comeback.

For the first time in two years, ESPN2 traveled to DeKalb. But as the nation watched, the game must have seemed like a rerun.

It was another brisk November night, with temperatures hovering around 50 degrees. As the Huskies, down to their opponent, ran into the locker room, the fog rolled in.

But this time around, NIU wasn’t down by four points as was in the 2006 game against Toledo. In this fog bowl, the Huskies faced a 23-3 deficit with only 30 minutes remaining.

“The game was close to getting out of hand,” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill. “We had to make some momentum.”

NIU kicker Mike Salerno geared up to boot the opening kick. As he approached the ball, Salerno aimed into the ground. The third quarter began with an NIU onside kick, which its strong safety Mike Sobol recovered.

Facing fourth-and-three on the drive, the Huskies faked the punt. A reverse to Huskie wide receiver Marcus Perez became a 20-yard gain. Yet, NIU left the drive with only three points.

Don’t call it a comeback.

After a touchdown drive by Central Michigan (8-2 overall, 6-0 MAC), NIU went back to the basics. Another onside kick by Salerno was turned into another recovery by Sobol. This time NIU used the possession to its full potential, scoring eight points on a touchdown and a two-point conversion.

With a deficit of 16, NIU started the fourth quarter with a rushing touchdown by tailback Chad Spann. A failed two-point conversion brought the deficit to 10 points.

A quick three-and-out by the Chippewas gave the Huskies an opening. In just 3:19 left, NIU (5-5, 4-3) made it a three-point game.

But CMU moved the ball to NIU’s 40-yard line. The Huskies rallied, stopping the Chippewas trail of damage, forcing a punt.

With 2:24 remaining, NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish prepared the drive.

Don’t call it a comeback.

Facing fourth-and-18, Harnish rolled to his left.

“If something breaks down we’re taught to make a play,” said NIU wide receiver Matt Simon. “I saw Chandler roll out, so I broke out to the sideline.”

The ball was in the air, the pass was completed for 30 yards, the Huskies had a fresh set of downs. NIU, however, could only put three points on the board – sending the game into overtime.

Don’t call it a comeback.

On his second offensive play, Harnish released the ball toward a route he had all night – except for this one play. CMU corner back Josh Gordy raced in, intercepting the redshirt freshman.

Four players later, Chippewas kicker Andrew Aguila handed NIU it’s fifth loss, as he hit a 40-yard field goal for the 33-30 CMU win.

“Honestly, I was just thinking of it as another kick,” Aguila said. “Warming up in the game I was hitting them from 55 yards.”

Don’t call it a comeback.