Quarterback by committee: Northern Illinois’ quarterbacks Matt McIntosh and Drew Hare were a combined 18 of 27 for 187 yards and a touchdown apiece and no interceptions while third quarterback Anthony Maddie had a run of 27 yards.
A star is born: Sophomore tailback Joel Bouagnon scored four times for his first career touchdowns and was the first Huskie with four since Jordan Lynch against Massachusetts in 2013. He had scoring runs of 1, 23, 9 and 1 yards while rushing 16 times for 97 yards.
The number: 27. The Huskies have won 27 straight games on their home field, the nation’s longest active winning run. They haven’t lost at Huskie Stadium since Sept. 26, 2009, a 34-31 setback to Idaho.
Remember when? 1963. Thursday’s 55-3 victory margin over Presbyterian was Northern Illinois’ biggest since the Huskies beat Wisconsin-Whitewater 55-7 on Sept. 14, 1963.
Small school: 1,300. The total enrollment at Presbyterian College, located in Clinton, S.C. School officials say one-third of the student body is involved in athletics.
Looking ahead: Northern Illinois travels to Northwestern for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff Sept. 6. It’s the first meeting for the schools since 2005. The Wildcats have a 6-0-1 lead in the series, all played at Ryan Field.
— Jack McCarthy
