The NFL finally got a glimpse of the “The Burner.”

Michael Turner, NIU’s all-time leading rusher, had five carries for 17 yards for the San Diego Chargers in their 43-17 win Sunday over the New Orleans Saints.

The 5-foot-10, 237-pound Turner was a fifth-round draft pick of the Chargers in April’s draft. He had a long run of eight yards.

Justin McCareins, NIU’s all-time leading receiver, caught a six-yard touchdown pass for the New York Jets Sunday. He spent his first three years in the NFL playing for the Tennessee Titans, who traded him to the Jets in May for a second-round draft pick.

He has 24 catches for 343 yards and two touchdowns this season.

Zipping along

Akron has caught fire since being defeated 48-18 by NIU Oct. 2.

The Zips have won four in a row and find themselves in a three-way tie for first place in the MAC East.

Their latest victory saw them overcome a 28-7 deficit Saturday against Marshall. Jason Swiger kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to give the Zips a 31-28 win.

NIU could get a second game against Akron in the MAC championship game if it beats Toledo on Tuesday and Akron wins the MAC East by winning its final two games of the season against Ohio and Miami-Ohio.

The MAC championship will be held Dec. 2 at Ford Field in Detroit.

Rank and file

NIU, which was idle this weekend, climbed two spots in the latest ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll to No. 22.

The Huskies dropped from No. 26 to No. 27 in this week’s Associated Press Poll. Bowling Green is No. 26 in the Coaches Poll and received four points in the AP poll.

Toledo, which NIU faces Tuesday night in a nationally televised game on ESPN2, received three points in the AP poll.