It only took NIU 2 hours and 30 minutes to defeat Indiana State by a final score of 48-3.

The win was the first for the 2008 season, and marks the first Football Bowl Subdivision victory for NIU head coach Jerry Kill.

“I certainly enjoy the success and winning, but to be honest with you, I’ve been doing this for 25 years. This is more about the kids,” Kill said. “I want to see them smile, I want to see them do good. I really enjoy the win for the kids.”

NIU quarterback Dan Nicholson got the start in the home opener. Kill said he knew the senior quarterback could start after he received a cortisone shot on Tuesday.

Nicholson got the Huskies moving early, going 4-for-4 in the opening drive resulting in a touchdown. Overall, the quarterback completed five-of-10 passes for 37 yards.

In total, the Huskies (1-2 overall, 0-1 MAC) passed for 78 yards, as quarterbacks DeMarcus Grady and Ryan Morris also played behind the center.

Yet, NIU’s offense wasn’t held in check by Indiana State’s defense. The Sycamores (0-3), allowed the Huskies to produce 285 rushing yards. That total marked the most rushing yards in a game by NIU since Sept. 30 2006, when the team faced Ball State. In that game, former Huskie running back Garrett Wolfe ran for 353 yards.

However, Kill didn’t rely on one running back to carry the load. Instead, he used five running backs, along with Grady, to move the ball on the ground.

Senior Montell Clanton got the start at tailback. Clanton rushed for 61 yards and one touchdown in the win. The Huskies were led on the ground by running back Chad Spann. The sophomore broke out a 55-yard touchdown run and finished with 73 yards on the ground.

Other contributors included running backs Justin Anderson, Me’co Brown and Ricky Crider, who had 42, 35 and 24 rushing yards, respectively.

“I thought we were real balanced today,” Nicholson said. “I love it the way it is; we have all those guys fresh.”

The Huskies also utilized their defense in the win. NIU picked off Sycamore quarterback Chuck Dowdell twice, and grabbed an interception from back up quarterback Calvin Schmidtke.

“Defense is always important to any game,” said Grady, who passed and rushed for a touchdown. “They put us in some great spots on the field. We didn’t have to complete those long drives.”

Cornerback Bradley Pruitt did more than just give the Huskies good field position though. The senior grabbed the first interception of the game around mid-field and returned it for 54 yards and a touchdown.

“Coach called the perfect play,” Pruitt said. “I saw it all the way, so I took it to the house.”

The Huskies also forced Dowdell to fumble, and strong safety Mike Sobol recovered the loose ball.

“It doesn’t have to be 48-3 if we don’t put our defense on the field the whole game, put them in great field position, and turn the ball over and let them score points and or give them points on an interception for a touchdown,” said Indiana State head coach Trent Miles. “Those are the things that make it an ugly football game.”