It wasn't a perfect first 30 minutes, but the Vandals have to be thrilled to be leading 21-13 at halftime against a Northern Illinois club coming off an upset of Purdue. Nathan Enderle had perhaps his finest half of football as UI quarterback, completing 11 of 13 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. The smoking start was aided by great protection from the offensive line and huge gains after catches, specifically on a 58-yard TD toss to Princeton McCarty.

Back-to-back touchdown drives capped by Enderle passes to Daniel Hardy and Deonte Jackson staked UI to a 14-3 lead. After NIU responded, the Vandals came back with the Enderle-to-McCarty connection.

The Vandal defense has kept the Huskies' prime running threats, Me'co Brown and Chad Spann, in check. They've combined for nine carries for 37 yards. 

The Huskies tacked on a 50-yard field goal with time expiring before halftime after officials put extra time on the click twice. I'm guessing Robb Akey wasn't too pleased about that.

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