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KALAMAZOO, Mich. ? Western Michigan (4-2, 2-1 MAC) shut down the nation's leading rusher in rout to a 16-14 victory over Northern Illinois (4-3, 3-2 MAC) at Waldo Stadium, Saturday afternoon. The win keeps the Broncos in the hunt for a West Division title and made head coach Bill Cubit's 53rd birthday all the more happier.
The defense held NIU's senior tailback Garrett Wolfe to 25 yards on 18 carries, 198 yards below his season average of 223.8. Western Michigan's Mid-American Conference leading run-defense was able to hold Northern Illinois to zero yards rushing on 22 total attempts in front of a Homecoming crowd of 19,275.
Wolfe was held to the second lowest rushing total of his career, the lowest being a 24 yard performance against Maryland in 2004. Western Michigan's defense also snapped a string of 11 straight games with 150 yards and 21 games of 100 or more yards for Wolfe. Wolfe's longest run of the day was for eight yards. NIU led the MAC with 445.8 yards per game on offense coming into the game and the Bronco defense was able to hold the Huskies to just 157 yards, all through the air, thanks to NIU quarterback rushing four times for a negative 25 yards.
Western Michigan opened up the game with a drive into NIU territory when a Ryan Cubit pass was tipped by Huskie linebacker Keenan Blalark and intercepted by fellow linebacker Tim McCarthy. On the following play Horvath was intercepted in the end zone by sophomore Londen Fryar. The interception was the fourth of the year for the converted wide receiver, which leads the team and the conference.
Northern Illinois was able to strike first on a blocked punt by sophomore Greg Turner, with Jarret Carter recovering the ball in the end zone for a Huskie touchdown.
The Broncos were able to put three points on the board on a Nate Meyer 20-yard field goal attempt, which capped off a 15 play 64-yard drive in the second quarter.
After an interception by sophomore E.J Biggers, his third of the year, WMU scored its first and only touchdown of the game when Cubit connected with redshirt freshman tight end Matt Stevens for a two-yard touchdown. It was the first touchdown and first catch of Stevens' career.
The Broncos had a chance to put more points on the board right before the half ended, but Meyer missed a 20-yard field goal wide left. Leaving the score 10-7 at the half.
Northern Illinois took the ball in the second half but was forced to punt after five plays, giving the Broncos the ball at the WMU 34 yard-line. Cubit connected with junior college transfer Herb Martin for 21 yards putting the Broncos into NIU territory, leading to a 39-yard field goal by Meyer. Martin set career highs in receptions, three, and yards, 71.
Western Michigan linebacker Ameer Ismail was able to step in front of a Horvath pass on the first play of their next drive and intercepted the ball. The interception was the first of Ismail's career. It was the second time this season the Bronco defense had forced three interceptions in a game (Temple ? Sept. 23, 2006).
After the two teams exchanged punts, Western Michigan received the ball on its own 48 yard-line and was able to put together a nine play, 30 yard drive which resulted in a 40 yard field goal by Meyers. The drive featured eight straight running plays by junior running back Mark Bonds. Bonds finished the game with 98 yards on a career high 32 carries. Bonds also had a career high four receptions for 31 yards.
The Huskies put together their only offensive touchdown drive capped off by a 31 yard pass from Horvath to sophomore Britt Davis. On the drive Horvath was 6-for-7 for 80 yards, which doubled their offensive output on the day.
NIU attempted an onside kick, but it was recovered by Biggers for the Broncos and they proceeded to run the clock out.
Cubit finished the day 29-for-44 for 251 yards and 1 touchdown. Cubit tied his career high for completions and also punted the ball 3 times for 113 total yards and an average of 37.7 yards per punt. The punts were the first of his career.
The MAC sack leader Ismail finished the day with 6 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. Sophomore safety Louis Delmas contributed a team high seven tackles.
For the Huskies, Blalark matched a career high with 14 tackles and safter Mark Reiter set a career high 12 tackles.
Horvath finished the day 14-for-25 passing for 157 yards and three interceptions.
The Broncos now travel to Muncie, IN to battle Ball State (2-5, 2-2 MAC), who fell to Central Michigan 18-7 on Saturday October 21. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff and can be seen on Comcast Local.
