Ryan Gilbert to David McDermott.

Not the combination Huskies fans are used to hearing, but Gilbert and McDermott were two Huskies players to see extra playing time because of injuries Saturday.

NIU beat Central Michigan 40-24 with eight starters missing time in the game.

“Kudos to Ryan Gilbert,” coach Joe Novak said. “He’s a guy who has played very little. But he had to step in there in a tough situation, and he did nice job. He stepped in and helped us win.”

Starting quarterback Josh Haldi went down in the third quarter when he tried to dive into the end zone for a touchdown.

He didn’t play the rest of the game because of a mild concussion.

Haldi is expected to return next week against Western Michigan, Novak said.

Gilbert’s first play of the game was a one-yard touchdown sneak.

The senior from El Segundo, Calif. finished the game 3-for-4 for 51 yards passing and a touchdown run.

Gilbert entered the game with 10 career passing attempts at NIU with five completions.

The defense, playing without starters Travis Moore (ankle) and Javan Lee (hamstring), saw three more players suffer injuries during the game.

Senior linebacker and captain Nick Duffy broke his right fibula and had surgery Sunday morning.

He likely is out for the season.

“It’s going to be hard not being out there,” Duffy said. “I’ll be there cheering them on and helping them to a MAC Championship.

Jason Frank and Martin Wilson became the second and third defensive linemen to miss time this season.

Frank tore his MCL in his right knee and Wilson experienced chest pains during the game.

Frank will be out two to six weeks and Wilson is expected to play next week, Novak said.

The two joined fellow defensive linemen Moore as players to miss time this season.

NIU took another hit before the game even started.

Sophomore wide receiver Shatone Powers sat out the game for academic reasons.