DEKALB — The Northern Illinois football team rushed for 367 yards, led by quarterback Jordan Lynch, who ran for 191 yards in the Huskies’ 43-39 win over Eastern Saturday night in DeKalb.

After leading 20-0 with less than eight minutes in the first quarter, the Huskies scored 23 unanswered points to finish the first half. Eastern dropped to 3-1, while Northern remained unbeaten at 3-0.

In the loss, Panthers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo tied an Ohio Valley Conference and Eastern record for career touchdowns with 85. 

The Northern defense held the Panthers to 34 rushing yards in the first half, which is why Panthers’ coach Dino Babers said the offense slowed down after jumping out to a 20-0 lead.

Garoppolo began the night 13-of-16 for 180 yards and three touchdowns, but then threw an interception on 7-of-13 for 75 yards to close out the half.

Lynch threw two interceptions in the game, but was able to maneuver around the Eastern defense for big plays on the ground. Lynch added 235 passing yards and a passing touchdown to his nearly 200-yard rushing total.

Garoppolo’s sixth touchdown came with 9:53 remaining in the fourth quarter that gave the Panthers a 39-36 lead. Northern would score the game-winning touchdown less than two minutes after on an eight-yard run by Keith Harris.

Garoppolo finished the game with 450 yards passing to go along with his six touchdowns. Garoppolo also threw two interceptions, bringing his season total to three.

Eastern began the game by converting a fourth down conversion and then the Panthers recovered an on-side kick in the ensuing kickoff.

Babers said Eastern needed to be aggressive early because of how talented the Huskies are. 

“You can’t play a game straight up against Northern,” Babers said.

Senior receiver Erik Lora led the Panthers with 14 catches and 198 yards with three touchdowns. 

Northern running back Cameron Stingly scored two rushing touchdowns on 135 yards on the ground.

Babers said the Huskies’ running back was difficult to take down.

Each team committed 14 penalties, 28 total, which Babers said was the second highest total that he has ever been a part of.

“I can’t comment anything on that, that won’t get me fined,” Babers said.

Aldo Soto can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].