The NIU football team used four interceptions to register a school-record 10th regular-season victory, 38-24 over Eastern Michigan on Saturday at Huskie Stadium.

In front of the smallest crowd of the season – 16,589 – the Huskies (10-2 overall, 6-2 MAC) got on board early when quarterback Josh Haldi connected with sophomore receiver Shatone Powers from eight yards out.

Junior cornerback Rob Lee hauled in the first of his two interceptions on the day to set up the touchdown.

EMU (3-9, 2-6) drove down the field on the ensuing possession to tie the game when running back Anthony Sherrell scored from two yards out.

Sherrell finished with 170 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries.

“That’s the way we have to play football,” EMU coach Al Lavan said. “We’re kind of one-dimensional. We’re a running football team.”

Sherrell’s second touchdown came 5:12 later to give the Eagles the lead.

Lee’s second interception of the game set up the next Huskies touchdown, when senior running back Michael Turner ran down the right sideline for a 59-yard touchdown.

On his career, Turner has 4,941 yards rushing, 13th in NCAA Division I history. The senior ran for 166 yards and three touchdowns in his last home game.

“I’m always looking to make a play to spark the team,” Turner said.

NIU and EMU went into halftime tied at 17 before the Huskie seniors outscored the Eagles 13-0 in the third quarter.

Senior kicker Steve Azar connected on a 23-yard field goal to begin the second half. The next Huskie possession, Turner ran around the left end for a 31-yard touchdown. Azar booted a 44-yard field goal the next time the Huskies had the ball to end the third quarter scoring.

Azar set the school record for most kick-scoring points in a single season with 104.

“I yelled at them at halftime,” NIU coach Joe Novak joked. “I don’t know if anyone was listening, but it helped me out.”

Saturday’s game marked the end for 18 Huskies seniors, unless the Huskies get invited to a bowl game.

“I’m going to sit and assume it’s not over,” senior receiver P.J. Fleck said. “It’s hard not knowing if it’s over or not.”

Despite the win, the Huskies dropped a spot to No. 32 in The Associated Press and Coaches’ polls.

Senior safety Akil Grant missed his fourth game with a left knee sprain. Grant’s replacement, sophomore Ray Smith, had a team-high 12 tackles and an interception, his third of the season.

Junior safety Lionel Hickenbottom got the other Huskie interception on the first play of the second quarter.

“You always want to do well for the seniors,” Novak said. “I bet they’ll remember their last game for the rest of their lives. I sure remember mine.”