One week after NIU rushed for a combined 62 yards against Bowling Green, an offensive line with only one starting senior paved the way for two 100-yard rushers on Saturday.

NIU’s 48-23 win over Ball State marked the first time since 2000 that NIU had two players rush for over 100 yards.

Senior running back Michael Turner carried 24 times for 126 yards and sophomore A.J. Harris topped the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career, finishing with 106 yards on 21 carries.

“Bowling Green took our best weapon away from us, they were able to take Mike out of the game,” NIU quarterback Josh Haldi said. “We made a concerted effort this week to go out in practice and get back to being physical and doing what we do here at Northern, which is running the ball.”

Turner and Harris are the first pair of Huskies to eclipse the 100-yard mark since Turner rushed for 140 yards and Thomas Hammock gained 174 yards against Akron on Oct. 14, 2000.

“We knew the whole week we had a good chance to run well,” Turner said. “We set the tone early and it was kind of downhill from there. Running is our main focus, but you never know how it’s going to go until that first drive.”

That first drive for NIU foreshadowed what was to come on a overcast day at Huskie Stadium.

NIU took the opening drive from the 24-yard line and gave the ball to Turner six straight times. Eventually, the drive was capped off when Haldi kept the ball on an option and walked in from two yards out.

On the initial drive of the game, NIU had 11 plays and gained positive yards on all of them.

The trend continued as Turner carried 20 times in the first half, for 104 yards.

“He’s an outstanding running back,” BSU coach Brady Hoke said. “He’s got great balance and good explosion.”

Turner also scored three touchdowns in the game, giving him a school-record 41 for his career. That number ties Turner for sixth in MAC history. Turner’s 4,435 career yards ranks third in MAC history.

The second half saw Harris get the majority of the carries.

The former high school state track champion carried 16 times for 72 yards while Turner rested. Harris’ 106 yards tops his previous high of 99 that he got last season at Western Michigan. Harris saw extended time in that game because Turner was out with an ankle injury.

“I know I’m there to back up Mike,” Harris said. “I need to be able to go in there and produce. It’s a lot of fun just getting a chance. I haven’t had that chance since last year.”