The Chicago Sun-Times: Novak: 'We just gave it away'

Slow and steady piled up the yards Saturday, but it didn't win the race. Northern Illinois made like the tortoise, rolling up a 521-381 edge in total yards. But missed opportunities in the red zone (1-for-5) and six turnovers allowed the hare, Central Michigan, to cruise to a 35-10 victory.

''Three times inside the 5-yard line early in the game with no points, a kickoff return [for a 90-yard CMU touchdown] and a [lost] fumble on the next one,'' Novak said.

''We just gave it away.''

The Chicago Tribune: Blowout loss puts NIU in big hole

The MAC West race all but ended Saturday for Northern Illinois as the Huskies dug themselves a hole in the first half against Central Michigan and then proceeded to pile dirt on themselves in a crushing 35-10 loss to the division's defending champions.

The Chicago Tribune: Northern Illinois 2-minute drill

Getting offensive: Tailback Justin Anderson posted his third straight 100-yard game with 28 carries for 157 yards, and Matt Simon caught nine passes for 205 yards, sixth-highest receiving total in NIU history.

On the defense: End Larry English collected his seventh sack of the season.

The number: 521. Yardage total generated by NIU's offense, resulting in only 10 points.

They're still talking about: Two 90-plus-yard scoring plays in a span of 15 seconds. NIU scored on a 92-yard pass to Simon, and Central Michigan responded with a 90-yard kickoff return by Antonio Brown.

Sick bay: Linebacker Phil Brown, starting at left defensive end, limped off the field just before halftime with an ankle injury but returned to the game. Quarterback Dan Nicholson has a sprained right ankle, and holder Greg Turner injured his thumb.

Audible: The Huskies seemed to deflate midway through the first quarter, and why not? Two missed scoring chances on the first two possessions. NIU had five possessions inside the CMU 15, four resulting in no points.

Looking ahead: Road trip continues at Temple, an 0-5 team that has lost 47 of its last 51 games, in the second of three straight MAC road games.