Northern Exposure

#55 Northern Illinois – 14
#10 Wisconsin – 0

QB Chandler Harnish watches WR Willie Clark score the game's lone offensive TD

MADISON, Wisc. -- Wisconsin fumbled on their first possession, and - in Red's words - never recovered.

It was expected to be an easy win; the beginning of a promising campaign for the Badgers. Instead, they never got on the board, and Northern Illinois captured the first major upset victory of the 2012 tournament.

NIU Offensive Coordinator (and future Head Coach) Rod Carey, who is from Madison, wasn't surprised by the big win. "We knew we had a chance. That's what I told our guys. I was saying there's a chance," he said. "And I feel like my leadership as the offensive coordinator really helped our defense not allow any points."

Wisconsin's potent running game was held in check, and the Badger receivers suffered a plethora of frustrating drops due to contact, as NIU's big win was buoyed by an inspired performance from its defense.

Perhaps the most impressive play of the game, though, came on special teams. Northern Illinois had a 4th and 10 at the Wisconsin 45, and elected to punt the ball away. The ensuing punt took a couple bounces and went out of bounds squarely at the 1-yard line, eliciting an eerie hush from the Madison crowd.

The Badgers obtained some breathing room with a 21-yd pass play on the subsequent set of downs, but were forced to punt after three consecutive incompletions. NIU, feeling generous, promptly fumbled the ball away on the next play, and the defensive battle was on.

It wasn't until late in the first half when the Huskies broke through on a 31-yard touchdown pass from QB Chandler Harnish to WR Willie Clark on a screen play, giving them a 7-0 halftime lead.

Northern Illinois started the second half with ball, but Wisconsin quickly got it back on another fumble recovery. On the ensuing possession, Wisconsin threw an interception to CB Dominique Ware, which was returned 63 yards for the game's second touchdown.

Wisconsin's final drive of the game had promise, until they tuned it over on downs with four minutes remaining in the game. NIU was able to run out the clock from there.

Northern Illinois travels to Manhattan, Kansas to take on #23 Kansas State in round two, where they will try to become the sixth team in TNS history seeded 55 or higher to advance to the Sweet 16.

Stats:
Northern Illinois
QB Chandler Harnish – 9/12, 107 yards, TD
CB Dominique Ware – 63-yard INT return for TD