For the second straight week, NIU had the game in hand by the fourth quarter, en route to a 37-0 shutout of Eastern Michigan.

The NIU (2-2, 1-1 MAC) defense dominated the game, helping NIU earn its first MAC victory Saturday at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Mi. The Huskie defense has allowed only three points the last two games combined.

“This is our best team performance,” NIU head coach Jerry Kill said after the win. “Because we played great on defense, we won the kicking game, and we didn’t turn the ball over.”

The Huskies outgained the Eagles 339 yards to 259 yards, and were helped out by two first half turnovers, interceptions by cornerback Bradley Pruitt and linebacker Tim McCarthy.

NIU held the Eagles to 119 yards rushing and held EMU quarterback Andy Schmitt to 140 yards through the air on 37 attempts. Schmitt took over at quarterback after starter Kyle McMahon left the game in the first quarter with an apparent shoulder injury. McMahon ran for 32 yards on two carries before getting injured.

“They did a tremendous job, they created turnovers they played aggressive,” Kill said of the defense’s performance.

“They played like maniacs,” said quarterback Dan Nicholson of the defense, who was 11-15 with 92 yards and a touchdown on the day.

Me’co Brown got the scoring started for NIU with a 26-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The Huskies took a 14-0 lead after a nine yard run by backup quarterback Demarcus Grady, who Kill likes to use in certain packages, utilizing his speed and athletic ability.

Leading 21-0 with 9:21 left in the third quarter, NIU virtually put the game away with four yard touchdown pass from Dan Nicholson to fullback Kyle Skarb.

NIU ran for 235 yards in the victory, with Me’co Brown leading the way with 17 carries for a career-high 111 yards. However, Brown left the game in the fourth quarter with a foot injury.

The Huskies take a break from MAC competition next week when they head down to Knoxville, Tenn to take on the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium.