Central Michigan blows 24-point lead but beats Northern Illinois in overtime

DEKALB, Ill. -- Andrew Aguila kicked a 40-yard field goal in overtime to lift Central Michigan to a 33-30 victory over Northern Illinois on Wednesday night.

The Huskies rallied from a 24-point deficit over the final 16 minutes to force the overtime.

The Chippewas (8-2, 6-0 Mid-American Conference) dominated most of the first three quarters as Dan LeFevour threw two touchdown passes and rushed for two to help build the 30-6 lead. LeFevour was 19-of-26 for 189 yards and rushed for 137 yards on 29 carries.

Running back Chad Spann scored on runs of 1 and 3 yards in the fourth quarter for Northern Illinois (5-5, 4-3), while Mike Salerno kicked a 25-yard field goal with 19 seconds left in regulation to tie the game.

The Huskies had the first overtime possession, but Chandler Harnish was intercepted by cornerback Josh Gordy.

The Huskies broke a 43-minute touchdown drought when Harnish scored on a 2-yard run with 1:25 left in the third quarter. Northern Illinois then recovered an onside kick and trimmed Central Michigan's lead to 30-20 with 13:44 left in the fourth quarter.

Harnish added a 3-yard TD run with 7:38 left in the fourth.

LeFevour threw second-quarter touchdowns to Antonio Brown (25 yards) and Ontario Sneed (27 yards). He also scored on a 1-yard run with 40 seconds left in the half and added an 8-yard scoring run with 5:36 left in the third.

Brown caught seven passes for 50 yards. Harnish was 18-of-36 for 288 yards while Matt Simon caught six passes for 131 yards.