Only a storybook could have ended this way.

For over 15 minutes, Eastern Michigan held a 14-13 edge on NIU. Trying to break what would be a 35-minute scoring drought, Huskie quarterback Dan Nicholson released a mighty throw – only to be intercepted at the NIU 16-yard line.

In four plays the Eagles would hold an eight-point lead.

But then it began.

Tailback Justin Anderson exploded out of the backfield. The sophomore turned the corner and hit the burners. Heading up the left sideline, he pushed his way through defenders, producing a 47-yard rush.

Knowing it was his time, Nicholson found tight end Brandon Davis in the end zone for a touchdown.

“I felt like we were back in the game and you could really sense the energy on the team,” Davis said. “I felt like we had some momentum going. I thought we were going to get that two-point play.”

However, NIU failed to complete the two-point conversion. But the Huskies hadn’t failed to capture momentum.

With a sudden and unexpected jolt, the crowd was brought back to life. The screaming wasn’t fruitless, as a quick three-and-out by EMU left NIU in control of the ball with 1:54 left. Only 61 yards separated the Huskies from their first win of the season.

On the second play of the drive, Nicholson locked onto wide receiver Matt Simon. The junior shot into the air, grabbing the ball as he was shoved out of bounds.

A 19-yard completion left the Huskies with 58 more yards and 1:49 remaining.

But then came the noise over the loud speaker – an official review. However, momentum would stay with NIU, as the catch stood.

Then a miracle.

With third and three Nicholson released a ball, only for it to hit right guard Jason Onyebuagu. Anderson threw his hands out, merely to get a taste of the football before it escaped his grasp.

EMU then tipped the pigskin, which seemingly remained floating in the air. Never giving up, Onyebuagu lunged out, this time bringing the ball under control.

Since the Eagles had touched the ball, all NIU players were eligible to recover the failed pass. A completion, a first down and momentum all went to the Huskies.

Only a little more than a minute remained in the contest. NIU approached the end zone with an Anderson run that ended at the six-yard line. But the rush was brought back due to a hold.

With three seconds left, the Huskies brought out NIU place kicker Chris Nendick for a 50-yard try. The senior had already hit a 45- and 47-yard kick.

Could he be the hero of the day?

“I was on a recruiting trip, and I remember when Steve Azar hit that kick against Wake Forest,” Davis said. “I felt the same exact way. It was a sense of excitement. I knew we were going to make it.”

Nendick went back and released the power of his entire body onto the resting object.

Then silence – the crowd couldn’t close their jaw as they watched.

“I think Chris kicked it low,” NIU head coach Joe Novak said. “It’s a 50-yarder; whenever you have a long field goal you have to drive it more. Maybe he overcompensated. It may have hit somebody.”

Only a storybook could have ended that way.