FACTS & STATS: Site: Huskie Stadium (28,000) -- DeKalb, Illinois. Television: Local. Home Record: KSU 1-3, NIU 0-4. Away Record: KSU 2-3, NIU 1-4. Neutral Record: KSU 0-0, NIU 0-0. Conference Record: KSU 1-4, NIU 0-5. Series Record: Northern Illinois leads, 13-7.

GAME NOTES: The Northern Illinois Huskies will try to capture their first league win of the season when they host the Kent State Golden Flashes this Saturday afternoon in a Mid-American Conference tussle at Huskie Stadium. The Golden Flashes had a terrible month of October, losing all four of their matchups over the four week span. The most recent loss came back on October 27th, as the team was dominated by Central Michigan, 41-32. KSU has been terrible in league play, going just 1-4 thus far, and that is much worse than the team's 5-3 conference mark from a year ago. As for the Huskies, they have been dreadful this year, winning just once in their first nine games. The team enters this matchup in the midst of a five-game losing skid, and the most recent setback came back on October 27th, as the team was embarrassed by Toledo, 70-21. After going 11-5 in their two previous seasons in league action, the Huskies have been horrendous this year, losing all five of their league games. The Huskies currently have a solid 13-7 edge over Kent State in the all-time series. NIU has won the last two games, including a convincing, 34-3 win over the Golden Flashes back in 2005.

The Golden Flashes' offense is motored solely on the rushing attack, which is churning out 214.9 ypg. Overall this squad is averaging a mediocre 390.2 ypg, and that has led to just 22.4 ppg. In their recent loss to Central Michigan, the Golden Flashes struggled on the ground, rushing for just 136 yards on 3.4 ypc. Overall the team collected 383 total yards and 31 points, but KSU was still unable to pull off the victory. Eugene Jarvis led the way with 156 yards on 19 carries, and also scored a touchdown in the setback. Jarvis has clearly been the main option out of the backfield for KSU, as the tailback has rushed for 1,259 yards and nine scores on the year. Jarvis will have even more pressure on his shoulders for the remainder of the season, with quarterback Julian Edelman sidelined with a knee injury. Edelman has been a duel threat all year and in eight games the signal-caller threw for 1,318 yards and seven touchdowns, while rushing for 455 yards and two more scores. Giorgio Morgan filled in for Edelman against CMU, and the youngster performed well, throwing for 247 yards and three scores.

Unfortunately the strength of the offense has been the biggest problem for the defense, as teams are dismantling KSU for 157.7 ypg on the ground. Overall this squad is allowing 373.1 total yards per contest, which has led to 29.9 ppg. The team's troubles with the run continued against Central Michigan as the unit surrendered 221 yards in the loss to the Chippewas. Overall in the setback the Golden Flashes yielded a whopping 580 total yards and 32 first downs. Kent State did force one turnover in the loss, but finished the game with zero sacks. Both areas have been a sore spot for KSU as the squad has forced just 11 miscues on the season, while recording just 17 sacks. The defense has done an outstanding job however, on third downs, limiting teams to a 33 percent success rate. Unfortunately inside its own 20-yard line, KSU has been plagued with poor play, allowing the opposition to convert on 91 percent of their opportunities.

NIU has been a mess throughout the year offensively, as the squad is currently producing a mere 325.4 total ypg, which has led to a meager 17.4 ppg. The Huskies tallied 352 total yards in the recent loss to Toledo, and that includes 177 yards on 32 carries (5.5 ypc). Justin Anderson, who has been the main option out of the backfield for NIU was impressive in the loss, gaining 116 yards and one score on 24 totes. With the solid performance, Anderson now has 998 yards and six touchdowns on 4.8 ypc. Unfortunately the passing game has been terrible this season. Quarterback Dan Nicholson has completed 59.1 percent of his throws thus far, but at the same time he has tossed just seven TDs against 12 interceptions. Nicholson also had trouble in the loss to Toledo, as the signal-caller completed just 11-of-23 passes for only 155 yards and one touchdown, along with one interception.

The biggest problem for this defensive squad has come against the ground game, as the team is being abused a whopping 212.7 ypg. Overall the Huskies are being dismantled for 451.0 total ypg, which has led to 32.0 ppg. The defense hit a new low the last time it was on the field, as the unit was embarrassed by Toledo for 812 total yards and 70 points. In the incredible loss, the defense was gashed for 382 yards rushing on 6.5 ypc, and was torched for an eye-popping 430 yards passing as well. NIU forced two turnovers in the loss, but finished the game with just one sack. Both areas have been a sore spot for the Huskies as the squad has forced just 13 miscues, while collecting just 15 sacks. Larry English has been a terror on the front line for NIU, as the lineman is leading the team with 14.5 TFLs and 9.0 sacks.

The Huskies have been terrible this year, especially on defense, but with Edelman hurt for Kent State, and the Huskies playing on their home field, look for NIU to grab their first league win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Northern Illinois 31, Kent State 28

Saturday, November 10th, 4:00 p.m. (et)