Recap: Western Mich vs. Northern Ill

Kalamazoo, MI (Sports Network) - Jordan Lynch threw for four touchdowns and ran for two more as the Northern Illinois Huskies defeated the Western Michigan Broncos at Waldo Stadium, 48-34.

Lynch, who came into the game leading all FBS quarterbacks in rushing, was great for Northern Illinois (8-1, 5-0 MAC) once again. He threw for 274 yards on 18-of-28 passing and ran for 136 yards on top of his six total touchdowns. Martel Moore led the Huskies with seven catches for 120 yards but was kept out of the end zone for the third time this season. Tommylee Lewis and Da'Ron Brown each had two touchdown receptions, while Sean Progar led the defense with three sacks.

Western Michigan (3-6, 1-4) quarterback Tyler Van Tubbergen threw for 333 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception on 32-of-51 efficiency. He also ran for 39 yards and a score. Dareyon Chance scored a touchdown and ran for 97 yards on 23 carries, while Eric Monette led the Broncos with 142 yards and two touchdowns on eight receptions, tying his career-high that he set last week against Kent State. Justin Currie paced WMU with 14 tackles.

The Huskies struck first, jumping out to a quick lead behind a 31-yard touchdown pass from Lynch to Lewis. Tubbergen led the Broncos back, throwing two touchdown passes to Monette on drives of seven and 14 plays while NIU was forced to punt on consecutive possessions. The Broncos led 14-7 after the opening fifteen minutes.

That lead did not last long. Early in the second quarter, Lynch hooked up with Brown for the wideout's first touchdown catch of the season. The score remained that way until late in the half when a 14-play, 88-yard Broncos' drive culminated with Chance's lone touchdown run. Huskies' kicker Mathew Sims drilled a career-high 54-yard field goal at the end of the half to cut the Broncos' lead to 21-17.

After failing to convert a fourth-and-one on their first possession of the second half, the Huskies second drive ended in Lynch's first rushing touchdown of the afternoon to regain the lead. They were put in great position to add on to their advantage when Jamaal Bass intercepted Tubbergen for his first pick of the season. Lynch scored from 20 yards out on the very next play and the Huskies were back ahead, 24-21.

Lynch and the UNI offense wore down the Broncos' defense as the game went on. Lewis and Brown each caught fourth quarter touchdown passes, and Sims kicked his second field goal of the game. Tubbergen added two late touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, but it was not enough as the Broncos lost their third in a row.

Northern Illinois has now won eight straight games and 17 of 18 dating back to last season. Despite the loss, WMU still leads the all-time series against NIU, 23-15.