FACTS & STATS: Site: Huskie Stadium (24,000) -- DeKalb, Illinois. Television: ESPNU. Home Record: EMU 0-4, NIU 3-1. Away Record: EMU 0-4, NIU 2-2. Neutral Record: EMU 0-0, NIU 0-0. Conference Record: EMU 0-4, NIU 3-1. Series Record: Northern Illinois, 23-14-2.

GAME NOTES: Still searching for their first win on the year, the Eastern Michigan Eagles will take to the road to battle the Northern Illinois Huskies Thursday evening at Huskie Stadium.

It has been a tough road for the Eagles this season, as the team has dropped all eight of its contests thus far. The last time Eastern Michigan was on the field the team was embarrassed by Arkansas, 63-27, leaving the Eagles with an 0-4 mark away from home. The Eagles are currently 0-4 in conference this season, and since 2006 EMU is a pathetic 6-21 in league play.

As for the Huskies, they are coming off a solid, 27-10 decision over Akron. It was the second straight win for NIU, and the third victory in the last four games for the squad. With the win over the Zips, the Huskies pushed their league mark to 3-1, as well as their record at home.

Northern Illinois holds a comfortable 23-14-2 lead over Eastern Michigan in the all-time series. The Huskies have won seven of the last eight contests against the Eagles, and that includes a 37-0 victory last season.

For the second straight week the Eagles scored 27 points, but unfortunately neither time the team was able to grab a victory. Eastern Michigan allowed 21 first half points, so the team was playing catch up for most of the contest, which is why the passing attack did most of the work in the loss to Arkansas. Kyle McMahon threw for 231 yards and three touchdowns and had a solid showing despite the final outcome. McMahon has stepped in for Andy Schmitt, who has been lost for the year due to injury. McMahon has thrown for just 601 yards and four scores against three interceptions. Unfortunately the ground game has not been very helpful, as the Eagles head into this weekend with just 123.9 rushing ypg on 3.6 ypc. Dwayne Priest, who rushed for 66 yards and one score against Arkansas, has been the top option out of the backfield, as the tailback is leading the squad with 486 yards and four touchdowns.

The Eagles allowed 21 first quarter points against the Razorbacks on Saturday and could not recover, as the defense was punished throughout the contest, allowing 63 points in the loss. Eastern Michigan was pounded on the ground for 292 yards and four touchdowns, and also surrendered 297 yards through the air and another three scores. The Eagles did force three turnovers in the game, but finished the contest with no sacks, and allowed Arkansas to convert on all four red zone chances. Stopping the run has been a major issue for this defense throughout the season, as the team is being punished for 277.1 ypg and out of the 37 touchdowns surrendered by this defense, 27 have come via the run. Eastern Michigan has forced 15 turnovers on the year, but pressuring the quarterback has been a problem for this unit, which comes into this weekend with just eight sacks. Andre Hatchett is currently leading the Eagles with 74 tackles on the year, while Brandon Downs is pacing the team with 7.0 TFLs and 4.5 sacks.

The Huskies ran right through Akron this past weekend, rushing for 275 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 17-point win. Chad Spann did most of the damage, rushing for 125 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback DaMarcus Grady added 109 yards on 20 totes. Grady, who is filling in for Chandler Harnish, completed 10-of-18 passes in the contest, but for only 62 yards. Harnish is questionable for the matchup against EMU, so Grady could be under center again on Thursday. Regardless who is the quarterback, the Huskies will likely rely on the ground game that is punishing opponents for 206.0 rushing ypg. NIU, which is posting a healthy 28.9 ppg, has scored 20 of its 26 touchdowns on the season with its rushing attack. Spann has been solid thus far, rumbling for 593 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Me'co Brown is right behind him with 567 yards and four scores.

Not to be overlooked was the play of the defense for NIU, as the unit held the Zips to 235 total yards, including just 31 rushing yards on 1.3 yards per attempt. The Huskies only collected one turnover in the win, but the team did record three sacks and did not allow the Zips to convert on any of their 10 third down chances. Throughout the season the Huskies have been solid defensively, holding opponents to just 18.1 ppg, on 334.8 total ypg. Northern Illinois has done a tremendous job against the run, holding the opposition to just 104.8 ypg on a mere 3.5 yards per attempt. Northern Illinois has also been able to record plenty of big plays, racking up 16 turnovers on the year, while getting to the opposing quarterback 20 times. Jake Coffman has been a force on the front line for Northern Illinois, and is leading the team with eight TFLs and 5.5 sacks.

The Eagles are terrible against the run, and that should make for an easy time for Northern Illinois Thursday. The Huskies should have no trouble running through Eastern Michigan en route to another league win.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Northern Illinois 34, Eastern Michigan 13

Thursday, November 5th, 7:30 p.m. (et)