NIU had more than its share of bumps and bruises in the season opener against Wake Forest.

Junior safety Lionel Hickenbottom went down with a torn ACL on only the fourth defensive play of the season.

Hickenbottom, a member of the highly touted NIU secondary, could be lost for the season.

Senior wide receiver P.J. Fleck also suffered an injury. Fleck, who has been bothered by a nagging hamstring injury for the last year, reinjured the same leg on Thursday. Fleck left in the third quarter and came back into the game only to hold for field goals.

All in a day’s work

Junior kicker Steve Azar doesn’t get too excited over anything. That coolness may have been his biggest asset against Wake Forest. Azar hit two clutch field goals to help propel the Huskies to the win.

The first field goal came as time expired in the first half and just happened to be from 51 yards. The kick was a career long for Azar and tied a school record for longest field goal held by Vince Scott.

The second kick sailed through the uprights as time expired, this time ending regulation. This time, Azar made good on a 46-yard attempt with the Huskies trailing 35-32 to send the Huskies to their first overtime game in school history.

More milestones

Before leaving the game, Fleck passed another NIU record. Fleck’s first catch of the night marked his 100th career catch at NIU.

Fleck’s reception also marked quarterback Josh Haldi’s first career completion as a starter at NIU.

Senior running back Thomas Hammock topped the 100-yard rushing plateau for the 12th time in his career.

The Wake Forest game marked Hammock’s first 100-yard game since November 27, 2001 when he ran for 195 yards against Central Michigan.

Sophomore Dan Sheldon made good on his first start as a Huskie, catching his first career touchdown pass in the third quarter and finishing with three catches for 66 yards. Sheldon, who backed up Fleck last year, caught four passes last season but caught his first touchdown on a diving catch in the end zone from 44 yards out.

Off on the right foot

NIU coach Joe Novak got a few pleasant surprises from some young talent Thursday.

Redshirt freshman Javan Lee was credited with three solo tackles, including one for a three-yard loss in his first action in a NIU jersey.

True freshman wide receiver Sam Hurd also contributed to the Huskies’ victory in his first collegiate action.

Hurd caught a 15-yard pass from Josh Haldi on the last drive for the Huskies in regulation. Six plays later, Steve Azar made the game-tying field goal.