Updated: 10:55 p.m. Saturday

DeKALB | NIU had Buffalo on the run from the get-go in its 31-13 win Saturday.

On the first play of the game, NIU defensive End Larry English tracked down Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy for a six-yard sack.

The Huskies (1-1 MAC, 1-2 overall) got their first four sacks of the season in NIU’s first win of 2006.

“It’s been a long time coming,” English said. “The defense has been real frustrated with that.”

The Huskies’ defense held Buffalo to 349 yards after allowing 509 in last week’s loss to Ohio. NIU coach Joe Novak has now replaced five players on defense since falling to OSU in week one.

“We’re still sorting out the other linebacker position,” Novak said. “We’re putting a lot of guys in there. Nobody has stepped up and said they want to be the starter.”

On a side note, NIU running back Garrett Wolfe rushed for 263 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. It took Wolfe 42 minutes to score his second touchdown after breaking a 49-yard run in the first quarter.

Buffalo (0-2, 1-2) got as close as 17-7 after its running back Steven King scored from one yard out with 5:27 left in the third quarter.

But NIU’s defense managed to put on the clamps until Wolfe busted out for a 68-yard touchdown to begin the final period.

Wolfe, however, wasn’t the only back churning out yards for the Huskies. Back-up Montell Clanton scored his first career touchdown on a 58-yard run while rushing for 93 yards on 10 carries.

The two backs combined for 344 yards rushing as NIU consumed 500 yards of total offense.

“I was real excited to see Montel play,” Novak said. “He looked real fast going down that sideline.”

Through the air, Huskie quarterback Phil Horvath attempted as many passes as he completed one week ago against Ohio. Going 12-for-19 for 156 yards and one touchdown against Buffalo was a vast improvement over last week’s 19-for-42 performance.

“Someone pointed out to me last week that if Phil throws less than 26 or 27 times we’re more successful, and that’s just us,” Novak said.

On the downside, NIU only converted four of its 10 third downs against Buffalo after making three of its first four. The Huskies have now converted a lowly 10 of 37 third downs this season.

Despite a slow start, NIU is now in fourth place in the MAC West and controls its own destiny. Ball State, Central Michigan and Western Michigan are 1-0, and the Huskies play all three before season’s end.

“It’s good to get that taste back in everybody’s mouth,” Novak said. “Winning is a lot better than the alternative.”

Sean Connor is an NIU football beat reporter for the Northern Star.