Wind has been a factor early in the game between the Northern Illinois Huskies and the Eastern Michigan Eagles, as it has been gusting at 20mph out of the southwest, but nevertheless the Huskies lead 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. Scoring opened in the game with a 54-yard TD pass from QB Chandler Harnish to Willie Clark, which came despite the fact that NIU was going against the wind in the opening quarter. NIU dominated from a yardage standpoint, out-gaining the Eagles 148-63, but Eastern Michigan responded with a 10-play, 67-yard drive at the end of the first quarter that resulted in a field goal.
The game has been largely marked by big plays so far, with Eagles' WR Tyreese Russell grabbing a 42-yard reception to help fuel the field goal drive for Eastern Michigan, and the 54-yard TD pass from Harnish to Clark being the difference so far.
At the open of the second quarter, the Eagles forced a turnover on downs as NIU punter Ryan Neir elected to avoid kicking a punt that would have surely been blocked and instead allowing himself to be tackled. On the ensuing drive, Eastern Michigan stalled their movement and failed to convert a crucial fourth down and four situation, turning the ball back over to the Huskies.
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