Iowa Hawkeyes vs Northern Illinois Huskies Match Player Stats On Sep 01, 2012

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 1, 2012

Iowa 18, Northern Illinois 17: Damon Bullock ran for 150 yards and the go-ahead score - a 23-yard jaunt off left-tackle with 2:15 left – as Iowa rallied for a victory at Chicago's Soldier Field, ending the Huskies’ FBS-best nine-game winning streak.

Mike Meyer kicked four field goals for the Hawkeyes (1-0), who won their 12th straight season opener despite a sluggish offensive performance. Five of Iowa’s first six drives began in Northern Illinois territory.

Meyer's fourth field goal cut the Huskies’ lead to 17-12 with 9:33 left, and after the Hawkeyes pinned the Huskies deep in their own territory, Bullock capped a three-play, 24-yard drive by bursting through the line and down the left sideline for his first-career touchdown.

Quarterback Jordan Lynch ran for 119 yards and a touchdown in his first-career start for the Huskies (0-1), who are coming off their first Mid-American Conference title since 1983. They dominated most of the game and led 17-9 heading into the fourth quarter.

It was Northern Illinois' first loss since a 48-41 setback to Central Michigan on Oct. 1, 2011.

GAME NOTEBOOK: It was technically a “neutral site” game, but the Huskies often use Solider Field as their home field. They have played three games there in the last six years, the most recent being a 49-7 loss to Wisconsin last season. … The Huskies’ defensive front hounded Iowa QB James Vandenberg to the tune of five sacks. … Northern Illinois had five new starters on its offensive line.