Joe Novak’s team has one goal: win the MAC Championship.

However, NIU going 4-0 for the first time since 1965 won’t hurt anything either, the NIU football coach said.

The four non-conference wins match Novak’s total from the past six seasons combined.

The Huskies continued their perfect season by beating Iowa State 24-16 on a windy day at Huskie Stadium.

“Going into the season I knew we had a good team,” Novak said. “But not in my wildest dreams did I think we’d be 4-0.”

Huskies running back Michael Turner finished with 179 all-purpose yards, including 134 on the ground to break school records for career all-purpose and rushing yards.

Turner passed Mark Kellar’s 3,745 rushing yards in the third quarter on a 12-yard gain around the right end.

As the announcement was made over the loudspeaker, the record crowd of 28,218 rose to acknowledge Turner’s accomplishment.

“It’s a great achievement,” wide receiver P.J. Fleck said. “It’s a great tribute to him and the offensive line.”

Turner later passed former wide receiver Deon Mitchell, who had 4,732 yards, for the top spot on the all-purpose yardage list.

Leading 7-0, Iowa State (2-2) took the ball on its own 18-yard line and drove to the NIU 13 to begin the second quarter. After a timeout, the Cyclones faced a third-and-16. Quarterback Austin Flynn dropped back and looked right for a running back in the flat. Flynn threw but Huskies defensive end Vinson Reynolds jumped and intercepted the pass. Reynolds then rumbled 65 yards to the Iowa State 13-yard line.

Three Turner runs later, the score was tied.

“At that point, we needed a big play,” Reynolds said. “I ran out of gas, unfortunately.”

Iowa State was able to take the lead on its next possession. The Cyclones drove 74 yards on 11 plays and Adam Benike kicked a 23-yard field goal to give the visitors the lead.

The Huskies took the lead back, 14-10, on the next possession as Josh Haldi found Dan Sheldon from 38 yards out. Sheldon’s touchdown was his fourth of the season.

At the half, Haldi was 8 of 9 for 79 yards and a touchdown.

The Cyclones added a third-quarter field goal to set the score at 14-13 heading into the fourth quarter.

On the first drive of the final quarter, Benike kicked his third field goal to give the Cyclones their first lead since the score was 7-0. Those last points proved to be the last Iowa State would score.

NIU came right back on the next possession and took the lead. Turner carried on five of the drive’s 11 plays and Steve Azar kicked a 29-yard field goal to give the Huskies a one-point lead with under eight minutes left in the game.

On the fifth play of the ensuing drive, Flynn again was intercepted. Rob Lee and Ken West combined to hit Flynn as he released, sending a wobbling pass into the air. Akil Grant picked off the pass and returned the ball eight yards to the Iowa State 49-yard line.

Haldi then threw his second of two touchdowns, this time to Fleck from nine yards out to set the final score.

For the third time in four games, the NIU defense allowed only one offensive touchdown, despite giving up 355 yards.

“They’re outstanding,” said Iowa State coach Dan McCarney, of the NIU defense. “They have a good system and a lot of confidence. They’re hard-nosed, tough and opportunistic.”