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Bowl Victory Give Huskies Most Wins In School's History

(WSCR) -The Fresno State Bulldogs may have scored first, but Northern Illinois held them in their place, only allowing an additional ten points. The Huskies defeated the Bulldogs 40-17, making it the first time in the school's history to earn 11 wins in a season.

By TIM BOOTH
AP Sports Writer

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Quarterback Chandler Harnish ran for two touchdown and threw for another, and Northern Illinois made interim coach Tom Matukewicz a winner in his only game in charge with a 40-17 victory over Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl on Saturday night.

After failing on fourth down at the Fresno State 31 on their opening possession, the Huskies were not stopped. They scored the next seven times they touched the ball, getting touchdown runs of 7 and 28 yards from Harnish, and a 22-yard TD pass to Kyle Skarb in the final minute of the first half to take a 23-10 lead.

Northern Illinois (11-3) won 11 games for the first time in school history. Running back Chad Spann ran for two touchdowns to take the national lead, for now, with 22 rushing TDs this season.

Ryan Colburn threw two touchdowns for Fresno State, but the Bulldogs (8-5) fell to 0-6 in bowl games against non-BCS teams since 1999.

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