Good things come to those who wait. And wait. And wait.

The NIU football team learned this Thursday night as it beat Wake Forest 42-41 in front of 19,653 fans at Huskie Stadium.

The Huskies trailed the length of the game before kicker Steve Azar nailed a 46-yard field goal as time ran out to send the game into overtime with the score tied at 35.

In overtime, NIU’s Thomas Hammock reached paydirt from seven yards out to put the pressure on the Demon Deacons.

After Wake Forest scored on six plays, it went for two but Devron Francis stopped Cornelius Birgs short of the end zone to send NIU players rushing onto the field.

“We had too many mistakes and too many missed opportunities,” said Demon Deacon free safety Quintin Williams, who picked off two Josh Haldi passes. “NIU took advantage of every opportunity they had.”

NIU standouts were abundant. Hammock rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns and was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week. Michael Turner returned a kickoff for a touchdown.

In addition to his 46-yarder, Azar ended the first half with a 51-yard field goal. MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week honors were bestowed upon Azar for his performance.

Punter Jimmy Erwin completed a 22-yard pass to Rob Lee on a fake punt. Strong safety Akil Grant racked up nine solo tackles.

“I want to thank my offensive line,” Hammock said. “They really wore down Wake Forest’s defense and we were pretty much doing what we wanted to do towards the end of the game.”

Azar’s kick at the half cut the Deacon’s lead to 21-17. Ovie Mughelli’s third touchdown of the game put Wake Forest up 35-24 heading into the fourth quarter. Dan Sheldon’s 44-yard touchdown catch accounted for NIU’s scoring in the third.

On NIU’s opening possession of the final frame, Haldi led the Huskies on a 10-play, 71-yard drive that was capped off by a Hammock three-yard touchdown run. Keith Perry hauled in a Haldi pass for the two-point conversion to pull NIU within 35-32.

Haldi finished 13-of-25 for 192 yards and two touchdowns in his first collegiate start.

“I had no idea what the kid was going to do,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. “He made a couple of mistakes, but he made some big plays for us, too.”

After NIU blocked a field goal with 3:17 left, the Huskies took over at their own 37. Haldi went 3-of-3 for 28 yards on the ensuing drive to put the ball at the Wake Forest 28 and set up Azar’s heroics.

“Steve has this demeanor where he’s always so cool,” Hammock said. “I tried to talk to him before the kick but he just zoned me out.”