With 12:31 remaining in the third quarter, Michael Turner became NIU’s all-time leading rusher with a 12-yard run to the right side.

“The Burner” passed Mark Kellar’s (1971-73) mark of 3,745 yards. A senior, Turner needed 72 yards coming into the game and finished with 134 yards on 30 carries in the Huskies’ 24-16 win over Iowa State.

“It was a dream of mine to come here and be the No. 1 back coming out of here,” Turner said. “I didn’t know if I was going to accomplish that goal, I was just going to work hard for it.”

Turner has rushed for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games and 12 times in his last 14 games.

“He can play for anybody in our league,” said Iowa State coach Dan McCarney, of the Big 12 conference. “He’s just a real quality running back and he’s a guy that any coach would enjoy and love to have on his team.”

Being the focal point of every team’s defense, Turner hasn’t been able to break any big runs, with his longest being 21 yards.

“Teams try to stop the big run,” Turner said. “Fortunately, I have enough weight on me, enough power to grind it out.”

NIU coach Joe Novak believes that Turner’s physical condition is one of the keys to his success.

“You tackle him 30 times and it’s going to wear on you,” Novak said. “He took some licks [Saturday]. Those kids hit him pretty good, but if you do that 30 times, I’ll guarantee you get down to that point where you’re tired. I don’t care how great of shape you’re in. If you’ve got to tackle a guy this size 30 times, it wears on you.”

In the second quarter, Turner scored his third touchdown of the season on a two-yard run up the middle. He also caught a screen pass on third-and-20 in the third quarter and scampered 23 yards for the first down to keep the drive alive.

“I think it’s one of the greatest achievements a back can have,” NIU receiver P.J. Fleck said of his teammate’s record. “There’s been a lot of great rushers here, Kellar, LeShon Johnson and all those guys. It’s a great tribute to Mike, our offensive line and everybody who came before him. He works real hard. I think the world of him and I’m glad he got that record.”