The Chicago Tribune: Badgers get well fast at Huskies' expense
- NIU will suffer 1st losing season since '99

It took just six seconds, however, for the start of a major rewrite. That's when Huskies backup freshman running back Ricky Crider stayed down on the field after Wisconsin received the opening kickoff. He was taken away via ambulance with a broken leg, the latest in a mind-numbing series of NIU injuries.

He's (Nicholson) one of about a dozen starters who have missed at least one game this season, and the NIU defensive line is so decimated it ended Saturday's game playing 220-pound freshman defensive end Mike Lepper and Dan Keller, an offensive lineman a month ago, at defensive tackle.

"It has been unusual," Novak said of the injuries.

The Chicago Tribune: NIU 2-minute drill

Getting offensive: NIU really was offensive, rushing for minus-13 yards, partly because of 24 yards in sacks. Matt Simon's 86 yards on four receptions furnished the bulk of the Huskies' yardage.

On the defense: A rare bright spot for Northern Illinois was linebacker Cory Hanson's late-first-half interception, which came after defensive end Larry English forced the Badgers' Tyler Donovan to hurry a pass.

The number: 1. Number of Wisconsin punts.

They're still talking about: P.J. Hill's first-quarter 72-yard touchdown run. The burly 227-pound running back almost fell down after making a spin move but regained his balance.

Sick bay: NIU running back Ricky Crider broke his leg.

Audible: Wisconsin fullback Chris Pressley, who had carried the ball one time this season, ran five times for 31 yards and got his first career touchdown.

Looking ahead: Northern Illinois plays Saturday at Toledo.

The Rockford Register Star: Huskies licking wounds after worst loss in 9 years

Justin Anderson, the nation’s ninth leading rusher with five straight 100-yard games for the Huskies, had 14 yards on 13 carries. Wisconsin gained 331 yards on 55 carries, compared to minus 13 yards on 18 carries for Northern Illinois.

The Huskies also lost running back Ricky Crider on the game’s first play when he broke his left leg covering the kickoff and was taken off in an ambulance. Northern Illinois has had 13 starters and 20 players on the depth chart miss at least one game due to injury. Eight of those are out for the season.