When the NIU football team’s offense sputtered in its sloppy 24-8 win over Eastern Michigan, it got some unexpected help from… the defense?

The same defense that has struggled all season found itself bailing out an offense we thought would never miss a beat.

But that’s what it came down to on Saturday; well, that and a little help from the officials.

Not to say the offense was totally worthless, but you have to expect more out of the nation’s fourth best quarterback in passing efficiency. Phil Horvath set the tone for the passing game early when his first pass attempt of the game was picked off.

The defense picked up the team’s leader, though, and forced a punt. The punt appeared to magically go an extra 15 yards, but luckily the officials saw an EMU player slap the ball and gave the Huskies great field position and the first break of the game.

The officials also gave the Huskies perhaps the biggest bail out of the season. After a bad snap caused Horvath to struggle to get the ball down for a field goal he tried to make a play but was tackled, which should have been a turnover.

Luckily the officials called a face mask which gave the Huskies a first down and another chance which led to a touchdown. Again in the third quarter the defense stepped up after some uncharacteristic mistakes by the Huskies’ offense.

The usually levelheaded offensive lineman Doug Free took a shot at an EMU defensive lineman after the whistles were blown which resulted in a 15-yard penalty that put the Huskies in a third down and 20.

The Huskies would eventually have to punt and another bad snap forced punter Andy Dittbenner to try to pick up the ball and run, but he gained only three yards and the Huskies turned it over on downs.

Once again the defense saved the day. After a blown reverse attempt, any momentum EMU hoped to gain was literally stolen by NIU cornerback Alvah Hansbro. The first interception of Hansbro’s career couldn’t have come at a better time for the Huskies, whose lead was just 14-6.

On the other hand, maybe the sloppy play was a good sign for the Huskies. It showed even when they don’t have their A-game, they can still pull out a victory. And every win counts in the race for a MAC championship, which is now one step closer.