DeKalb, IL -- (Sports Network) - Northern Illinois secured their first conference win of the season behind a pair of touchdowns from Justin Anderson, as the Huskies held on to defeat Mid-American Conference opponent Kent State 27-20 at Huskie Stadium.

The Huskies (2-8, 1-5 MAC) piled on 510 total yards in their victory. Anderson's touchdowns came via the ground and air, while carrying the ball 19 times for 98 yards and adding four receptions for 27 yards. Fellow running back David Bryant had 110 yards as NIU put up a whopping 261 yards rushing. Dan Nicholson had a decent day in finishing with 275 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Matt Simon brought down four balls for a game-high 96 yards.

The Golden Flashes' (3-7, 1-5) fifth straight loss wasted a terrific effort from their tailback Eugene Jarvis. Jarvis rattled off 170 yards, including a 67-yard run. During the game he broke Kent State's single-season rushing record of 1,325 yards, set by Eric Wilkerson in 1988. Jon Brown went 16-of-34 passing for 132 yards and a touchdown, but his late interception sealed the victory for the home team. Jack Williams recovered a fumble and picked off a NIU pass for the defense.

Before leaving the game after a fumble, quarterback Giorgio Morgan called his own number and ran in a 10-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter.

Justin Anderson quickly tied the game as he hauled in a 16-yard Nicholson pass.

He followed that up in the second quarter with a four-yard touchdown scamper, giving the Huskies the lead for good.

Reed Cunningham padded the lead by taking in a 13-yard Nicholson effort.

Brown hooked up with Vanderink just before the half to cut the NIU lead in half.

Nate Reed's 25-yard field goal on the first drive on the second half brought KSU within four, 21-17.

Back-to-back field goals from Chris Nendick, 25 and 40 yards respectively, gave the Huskies a 10-point cushion with 10 minutes left in the game.

Reed made it a one-possession game with a 40-yard field goal of his own. John Tranchitella halted the Golden Flashes' comeback effort by intercepting a Brown pass in the red zone with just over a minute left.

The Huskies stopped their five-game losing streak with a valiant defensive effort of four sacks, two turnovers and holding Kent State to 4-of-14 on third down conversions.