For the second consecutive week, NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish (Bluffton, Ind./Norwell H.S.) was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week.
Harnish’s honor came Monday, two days after he accounted for 282 yards of total offense and threw two touchdowns in NIU’s 31-17 victory over Temple.
The first Huskie quarterback to win back-to-back MAC offensive player of the week honors in school history, Harnish completed a season-high 20 passes in 25 attempts for 211 yards last Saturday.
It marked the second-straight week Harnish, the MAC’s leader and 13th in the nation in passing efficiency (162.7), has completed 80 percent of his passes. His touchdown passes of 10 and four yards both came on third and goal situations. His first touchdown pass tied the score at 17 with 30 seconds left in the first half, while the second gave NIU a 24-17 lead. He orchestrated scoring drives of 80, 82, 64, 75 and 90 yards in the game, and the Huskies converted 11-of-16 third down attempts in the win.
Over the last two games, Harnish is 36-of-45 passing for 492 yards with five TDs and no interceptions. His 211 yards passing was the third 200-yard game of the season and the seventh of his career. Harnish was also a two-time MAC POTW honoree in 2008 when he earned the honor against Minnesota and Kent State. Harnish was also named Rivals.com MAC Player of the Week.
A Northern Illinois player has now won MAC player of the week honors for four straight weeks. In addition to Harnish, tailback Chad Spann and defensive back Jimmie Ward were named the MAC West offensive and specialist of the week following the Minnesota game. Punter Josh Wilber got the streak going when he earned special teams player of the week recognition after his performance at Illinois.
Northern Illinois continues its three-game homestand this Saturday when the Huskies welcome Buffalo to Huskie Stadium for the 104th Homecoming game.
For more information on NIU football and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
