SAN DIEGO_When San Diego State's Juwan Washington returned the opening kickoff against Northern Illinois 96 yards for a touchdown, it got SDSU off to a roaring start.
Interceptions by defensive backs Kameron Kelly and Tariq Thompson in the final three minutes provided another fantastic finish, preserving a 34-28 win over the Huskies before 35,717 fans at SDCCU Stadium. The victory boosted No. 19-ranked SDSU to 5-0 for the first time since opening the 1975 season with eight straight win.
But what really sparked the Aztecs was running back Rashaad Penny.
Or, more precisely, what was done to Penny.
An ugly incident occurred with 4:12 remaining in the first quarter when Penny was intentionally gouged in the eyes by Northern Illinois' Antonio Jones-Davis.
Officials did not notice the incident and no penalty was called, but it was clearly evident on television replays.
NIU had just tied the game 14-14 on quarterback Daniel Santacaterina's second touchdown pass of the game to wide receiver Christian Blake.
Penny returned the ensuing kickoff 19 yards to the SDSU 26-yard line.
With Penny at the bottom of the pile, replays showed Jones-Davis extend the fingers on his right hand, then intentionally reach into Penny's facemask and poke the running back in the eyes.
Penny came off the field in obvious pain, holding both hands up to his face. He went into the locker room and returned with a shield attached to his facemask.
Penny, averaging 179 yards a game rushing this season, was limited to 39 yards on eight carries in the first half against the Huskies. He made an impact, nevertheless, scoring on a 33-yard pass from quarterback Christian Chapman that gave SDSU a 14-7 lead with 9:55 remaining in the first quarter.
Penny finished the game with 25 carries for 107 yards. NIU running back Jordan Huff also carried 25 times, collecting a game-high 148 yards. Chapman was 10-for-19 for 136 yards and two touchdowns.
The game looked like it was going to be a shootout early on.
The Aztecs defense was having trouble stopping the NIU offense. The Huskies line was opening big holes for running back Jordan Huff, who rushed for 92 yards on 13 carries in the first half. And Santacaterina was hitting quick passes, 10 of them going to Blake in the first two periods for 104 yards.
SDSU took control with a 17-point second quarter. It included an 83-yard interception return by freshman safety Thompson, an 8-yard touchdown catch by tight end Kahale Warring and a 39-yard field goal by John Baron II.
That gave the Aztecs a 31-14 halftime lead _ but it didn't cool tempers.
SDSU and NIU assistant coaches who were working from the press level in the first half were seen exchanging heated words about the incident as they headed back to their respective locker rooms at halftime.
The game included several rough plays after the Penny incident.
SDSU wide receiver Mikah Holder was called for targeting while blocking on a complete pass to Warring late in the first quarter. The call was reviewed and the officials said it was confirmed by replay, resulting in Holder's ejection from the game. He was escorted to the locker room by an SDSU assistant coach.
Midway through the second quarter, SDSU's Ronley Lakalaka drew a personal foul when he hit Santacaterina out of bounds on a 2-yard keeper.
SDSU, which was not penalized in last week's win at Air Force, was called for five infractions totaling 65 yards in the first half against the Huskies. NIU was penalized twice for 25 yards in the first half.
NIU defensive end Sutton Smith was called for roughing the passer when he hit Chapman late in the second quarter.
After NIU scored on its first possession of the second half to trim SDSU's lead to 31-21, Penny again returned the kickoff. He took it back past midfield before being tackled, then shouted toward the NIU players leaving the field.
SDSU's offense sputtered in the third quarter while the Huskies made a game of it.
NIU closed to within 31-28 midway through the third quarter with a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Marcus Childers, who subbed in for Santacaterina to add a twist to the Huskies offense.
The Aztecs got a boost at the start of the fourth quarter when Baron made a 21-yard field goal to provide a 34-28 lead.
SDSU's defense then got a big third-down stop on NIU's next drive when linebacker Jay Henderson sacked Santacaterina. But defensive end Noble Hall was called for a personal foul after the play, giving the Huskies an automatic first down. NIU advanced into Aztecs territory before the defense finally forced a punt.
The SDSU defense would have to step up four more times before the Aztecs could secure the win.
This night will be remembered not so much for what Penny did on a kick return but what was done to him afterwards.
