DEKALB Chandler Harnish ran for 163 yards in the third quarter alone last Saturday in a 51 22 rout of Western Michigan to become the Mid American Conference first 200 yard rusher of the season.

The Northern Illinois University senior also threw for 203 yards to become one of 10 quarterbacks in NCAA history to both run and pass for 200 yards in the same game.

The four fifth year seniors and one fourth year junior (Pegram) return intact on a line that helped NIU lead the MAC in scoring, rushing and total offense last year.

The Huskies lead the MAC in scoring and total offense again this year and are No. 2 in rushing at 253 yards. The Huskies (4 3, 2 1 MAC West) also rank No. 1 in the MAC and No. 12 in the nation in fewest sacks allowed.

The line has been good all year, but last week was the best: 494 yards rushing and 697 total yards, second highest in NIU history, to help the Huskies score 44 consecutive points in a game they trailed at halftime.

time you run the ball for 500 yards, that a lineman dream, Doeren said. you ask the line what they could do, if you said they could run for 200 yards and give up zero sacks, they be in heaven. That like giving them free ribs for a year. The Huskies could be heading back to the buffet line again Saturday at Buffalo (2 5, 1 2 MAC East). The Bulls allowed 400 yards on 65 carries to Temple last week.

one said it was going to be easy, Buffalo coach Jeff Quinn said on the MAC weekly teleconference. go from giving up 400 yards rushing to a team that was able to gain 494 yards rushing. We have to get back to fundamentals. For NIU, the fundamentals start with the run game. And that starts with a talented, veteran offensive line.