Tuscaloosa, Ala. – Three weeks after the biggest win in his career, NIU football coach Joe Novak has outdone himself.

With the victory over Maryland a distant memory, a confident NIU Huskies football team emerged from historic Bryant-Denny Stadium victorious, beating Associated Press No. 21 Alabama, 19-16.

“What a great, great football game for our program and our conference,” Novak said. “This was my biggest [win]. Before I got into coaching, I was a football fan. You talk Alabama and you’re talking one of the best. Beating Maryland at home was fantastic, but coming to a place like this, a great situation, great stadium and great fans and great tradition, it’s a memory our kids and I will never forget.”

The win was the first for NIU in nine tries against the Southeastern Conference.

Alabama (2-2) was able to score first, after the first two possessions netted zero points for NIU (3-0).

The Crimson Tide used the combination of runners Ray Hudson and Shaud Williams and quarterback Brodie Croyle to cover 82 yards over eight plays in 4:05.

The drive culminated when Croyle found Zach Fletcher in the end zone from 28 yards out, sending the crowd of 83,018 into a frenzy.

The Huskies were able to take some of the momentum away from Alabama on the next play. Brian Bostick’s extra-point attempt was blocked by NIU defensive end Jason Frank. Defensive back Ray Smith picked up the ball and headed down the sideline. Just before Smith was going to be tackled, he pitched the ball to wide receiver Kevin Woods, who ran 60-plus yards to the Alabama end zone for two points.

Trailing 6-2 at the end of the first quarter, the NIU offense was able to establish itself despite not getting into the end zone.

NIU running back Michael Turner, who finished with 156 yards on 27 carries, had 47 of those yards in the first half.

“We didn’t expect to run like that,” Turner said. “The line did a great job. I can’t put it in words. They were pretty much mistake-free. You can’t ask for more than that.”

The two teams traded field goals in the second quarter, giving the Crimson Tide a 9-5 lead at halftime.

NIU quarterback Josh Haldi was 11-for-16 for 85 yards at the half, but his longest pass went for only 12 yards.

Twelve yards proved to be the just enough room for Haldi on the Huskies’ second drive of the second half.

After NIU punter Anthony Gallagher pinned Alabama at its own 11-yard line – and the Huskies defense held the Tide to minus 2 yards on their next three plays – the NIU offense went back to work.

The Huskies took over on the Alabama 40-yard line and needed only four plays to take a lead they never relinquished.

Turner runs of 21 and seven yards put the Huskies at second-and-two on the 12-yard line.

Haldi was flushed out of the pocket and threw incomplete to Keith Perry on second down.

On third and three, Haldi used all of the end zone from 12 yards out to find Shatone Powers and an NIU score.

Powers made the catch over an Alabama defender and was able to drag a foot and secure the ball for the touchdown.

“We were calling that route all game,” Powers said. “I went up and made the play. I was just happy I was able to come down with the catch. I wanted to make a play for my team so bad.”

The Huskies then got another play from a wide receiver early in the fourth quarter.

After taking possession on their own eight-yard line, the Huskies drove to the Alabama 48-yard line, setting up wide receiver Dan Sheldon’s heroics.

With eight yards to go on a third-down play, Haldi rolled left off a bootleg and fired down field to a streaking Sheldon. Sheldon had his man beat, but the ball was under-thrown. As the ball came toward Sheldon, he slowed down as the defender blew by and the Burlington native was able to make the catch and run untouched into the end zone. Sheldon’s touchdown gave NIU a 19-9 lead with 7:28 remaining.

Alabama scored on the next possession on a 54-yard Shaud Williams run.

“That one was a little tough to swallow,” NIU linebacker Nick Duffy said.

After NIU was unable to score and turned the ball over on downs, it was the defense again that saved the day for NIU.

Alabama took over with 4:24 remaining, but was able to muster only one first down on what proved to be its last drive of the game.

“The guys as individuals and as a group hung in there,” Duffy said. “We were just trying to get three-and-outs. We had a great game plan and that put us in great position to win.”

Williams finished with 96 yards, but was contained for most of the game.

“We played pitiful tonight,” Williams said. “We couldn’t have beaten anybody the way we played tonight. Then, on the other hand, you have to give [NIU] credit. They came into a hostile environment and came out to win. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.”

Haldi finished with 149 yards passing, two touchdowns and no interceptions.