“It was a tale of two halves,” said CMU Head Coach Mike DeBord. “We dominated the first half and they did a great job of coming back and winning the game in the second half. We are going to have times like this that try us as a team.”

The loss also ruined any hopes the Chippewas (2-5 overall and 1-4 in the MAC) had at making a run for the Mid-American Conference West Division Championship.

NIU (4-4 overall and 2-3 in the MAC) scored on its opening possession on a 26-yard run by Thomas Hammock with 10:49.

The drive appeared to be stalled as NIU quarterback Chris Finlen threw an complete pass, but the Chippewas committed a 15-yard personnel foul keeping the drive alive.

Five plays later Hammock found the goal line and Steve Azar’s kick had NIU up 7-0.

Central answered as quarterback Derrick Vickers connected with Rob Turner for a 6-yard score. Kicker Paul Savich converted the extra point for a 7-7 game.

On the next CMU possession, Vickers connected with Turner again, this time for a historic pass.

The Chippewa defense stopped NIU at the one on fourth down giving CMU the ball, two plays later Vickers hit Turner for a 98-yard pass, a new Kelly/Shorts and CMU record.

“Derrick made a nice pass and I caught it and took off running,” Turner said.

In the second quarter Savich tacked on a 40-yard field goal and Terrence Jackson had an 18-yard scamper for a score putting CMU up 24-7 going into halftime.

Hill got the Huskies back into the game with the kick off return to start the second half.

Azar added a field goal with 5:17 to go in the third quarter to cut the lead to just a touchdown.

Central had a drive stall at the end of the third quarter when NIU called a time out to force Savich to kick a 38-yard field goal into the wind.

The kick was blocked and returned to midfield.

“I don’t know if he thought that he would have to line drive it more with the wind or not, but it (calling time out) paid off for us,” said NIU Head Coach Joe Novak.

Three plays later Finlen hooked up with Fleck for a 13-yard touchdown. However, Azar’s kick was no good and the Chippewas still held the lead.

The lead was short lived as on the NIU’s next possession Azar, into the wind nailed a 35-yarder with 6:04 left.

Central would have to comeback with out Vickers as he was knocked out of the game with an injury. Backup Derek Gorney entered the game.

Gorney was ineffective also has his second pass was deflected and intercepted by Justin Dole.

NIU marched down to the CMU one yard line and stalled as the Chippewas defense would not let Finlen sneak in. Finlen finally got into the endzone on fourth down putting the game away.

“I thought we could get in. And if we don’t get in they get the ball on their one and have to 99 yards. We got lucky though, that it took us all four snaps because it took so much time of the clock,” Novak said.

The Chippewas drove to the two yard line but were unable to score in the final minute and a half.

For the game Jackson becomes the first CMU tailback to run for 100 plus yards in four straight games since Erik Flowers did it in 1998.

“I would rather run for 20 yards and get a win then run for a 100 yards and lose,” Jackson said.

Central tries to end its three game losing streak at Ball State Saturday.