The Northern Illinois Huskies have not played a BCS conference team at home since 2003, and they capitalized on the opportunity Saturday, defeating the Kansas Jayhawks, 30-23.
Northern Illinois earned the victory, scoring the last 17 points of the game and outgaining Kansas by more than 120 yards. Writes Mike Breese of SB Nation's Northern Illinois blog, Red And Black Attack, Saturday's win was magical.
NIU Huskies fans have been waiting for a game like this for years. Ever since NIU beat Maryland and Iowa State in 2003 at home, it has taken 9 years to get a team from a BCS conference back in Dekalb. They certainly made it count.
The Northern Illinois Huskies deserved this one over the Kansas Jayhawksconsidering they outgained them 455-329 yardage-wise. It wasn't a perfect game by any means, but the magic was there to win yet another one at Huskie Stadium. It really felt like the 2003 Maryland game all over again.
In 2003, Northern Illinois defeated then ranked No. 24 Maryland Terrapins, 20-13, in overtime.
The 2012 Northern Illinois Huskies are now 3-1 heading into their next contest at home against Central Michigan.
For Northern Illinois, visit Red and Black Attack or Hustle Belt. For more on the Jayhawks, check out Rock Chalk Talk or SB Nation Kansas City.