Nov. 05--The bad news for Northern Illinois on Tuesday night was the likely loss of QB Drew Hare for the season to a leg injury. But redshirt freshman Ryan Graham capably stepped in as the Huskies (6-3, 4-1) beat Toledo 32-27 to remain in the MAC West title hunt and become bowl-eligible.
Offense
A. Even with injuries to Hare and WR Tommylee Lewis (knee), NIU barely missed a beat as Graham led two long fourth-quarter scoring drives, including Joel Bouagnon's go-ahead 2-yard touchdown run with 1:59 remaining. The Huskies piled up 401 total yards.
Defense
A. Boomer Mays had a team-high 10 tackles, but his biggest play was an interception of Phillip Ely with 1:48 left. After giving up 17 first-quarter points, the Huskies allowed just a touchdown and a field goal the rest of the way. Four Rockets drives ended in punts, three in turnovers and one in a missed field goal.
Special teams
A. Christian Hagen kicked four field goals, including a 52-yarder. Aregeros Turner had 168 yards on five kickoff returns. Punter Jake Ambrose put two of his five punts inside the Toledo 20.
Coaching
A. The NIU backups were clearly prepared as Graham went 9 of 12 for 132 yards and ran for 41 more. Kenny Golladay (8 catches, 128 yards, TD) picked up the slack when Lewis went out.
