Nov. 29--KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- P.J. Fleck says he bleeds brown and gold now that he is the second-year coach at Western Michigan.
The former Northern Illinois wide receiver and assistant coach sounded especially disappointed after watching his Broncos fall to the Huskies 31-21 after surrendering a 21-7 lead Friday at Waldo Stadium.
Northern Illinois forced six turnovers in capturing its fifth straight Mid-American Conference West title. NIU now will face Bowling Green next Friday night at Ford Field in Detroit for a rematch of last year's MAC championship game that the Falcons won 47-27.
NIU (10-2, 7-1) won its sixth straight game as quarterback Drew Hare scored twice on 2-yard runs in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
"We were fortunate to come out on the good side of the turnover battle and that was probably really the biggest key to the game," NIU coach Rod Carey said. "That many momentum swings, it's easy to get down, especially when you are down at halftime and haven't played real well on offense."
NIU scored on the game's first play from scrimmage, a 65-yard pass play from Hare to Aregeros Turner.
The Broncos (8-4, 6-2) then pulled ahead with a field goal and a 13-yard touchdown pass from Zach Terrell to Corey Davis.
A rare Hare turnover on a high snap from center was recovered by Andre Turner. Freshman running back sensation Jarvion Franklin then scored on a 2-yard run to complete a four-play, 28-yard drive, but the extra point attempt was wide and the Broncos led 16-7.
The Broncos then converted a fumbled kickoff into a 44-yard field goal and picked up a safety on an illegal block in the end zone before the Huskies kicked a field goal at the end of the half to make it 21-10.
"Our plan was not flawed, our execution was," Carey said.
Then the Huskies shut out Western Michigan in the second half.
"Our defense just did not give up," Carey said. "They were relentless."
Daniels scored on a 21-yard burst in the third quarter to finish a seven-play, 90-yard drive to close the score to 21-17.
Fleck tried to minimize the fact he has previous ties to NIU.
"I played there, I coached there, my heart's always going to be there just because I'm an alum of Northern Illinois," Fleck said. "They have done so much for me, making me the person I am today ... but the biggest thing is I bleed brown and gold now."
fmitchell@tribpu.com
Twitter @kicker34
NIU looking for fifth straight MAC West title
