Editor’s note: The following story is writing on a simulated game between NIU and SIU on EA Sports’ NCAA 2008 video game.

The Northern Illinois football team came out looking to make a statement against their rivals from the south, Southern Illinois, in EA Sports NCAA 2008.

The Huskies made it in a big way, and got their first win in the process.

NIU Junior quarterback Dan Nicholson threw for 275 yards and five total touchdowns, and the stifling Huskie defense forced four turnovers on its way to a 52-7 rout of the Salukis, notching the first win of 2007.

After forcing an SIU punt on the game’s first possession, the Huskies wasted no time getting on the board.

Nicholson found junior wide reciever Britt Davis for a 17-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.

Davis finished the game with 7 receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

On the first play of SIU’s ensuing drive, junior linebacker Tim McCarthy forced a fumble and was recovered by redshirt freshman safety Alex Kube.

Junior runningback Montell Clanton ended the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run to extend to a 14-0 lead.

In the second quarter, a sophomore tight end Reed Cunningham 1-yard scoring run was sandwiched between two senior tight end Brandon Davis touchdown catches.

The Huskies went into the half with a 35-0 cushion.

At halftime, Nicholson was 14-for-19 for 198 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.

The defense, meanwhile, did its part as well.

The Huskie defense forced five fumbles (recovering four) and had seven sacks.

NIU’s defense, led by McCarthy, held the Salukis to 65 total yards and minus 22 rushing yards.

The Huskies did receive a scare in the third quarter, when Britt Davis went down to the ground holding his shoulder.

But he came back in the game three plays later and made a one-handed touchdown catch from 9 yards away for a 42-0 lead.

Though the game was well decided by halftime, coach Joe Novak was happy his team got that first victory.