Missouri Valley Conference roundup Saturday’s other games

SEE ALSO: oungstown State makes Austin pay

N. Illinois 41, W. Illinois 7

DE KALB, Ill. — Chad Spann scored three first-half touchdowns to lead Northern Illinois. Spann, a junior tailback, scored on runs of 7 and 3 yards plus a 20-yard reception from quarterback Chandler Harnish before a Huskie Stadium crowd of 21,437. The Huskies (1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak against the Leathernecks dating back to 1996. Harnish also threw a 4-yard touchdown strike to sophomore receiver Jason Schepler in the first half and went 10 of 14 for 143 yards for the game. In the second half, Northern Illinois tailback Meco Brown scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, and kicker Mike Salerno hit two field goals. The lone score for the Leathernecks (1-1) came on quarterback Matt Barrs 14-yard first-quarter run. He finished 14 of 22 for 117 yards.

N. Iowa 66, South Dakota 7

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Pat Grace threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns and ran for three other scores to lead Northern Iowa. Grace, who finished 24 of 32, connected with receiver D.P. Eyman nine times for 197 yards and a touchdown as the Panthers (1-1) rebounded from a one-point loss to the University of Iowa last week. Receiver Ben Oberle caught six passes for 112 yards and a touchdown for South Dakota (1-1). His score came on the Coyotes’ first play from scrimmage, a 70-yard flea-flicker. Five of Grace’s touchdowns came in the second quarter when Northern Iowa broke open a game which was 10-7 after the first quarter. The Panthers also rushed for 234 yards and finished with 712 yards of total offense. Northern Iowa’s defense held South Dakota to 113 yard rushing, recovered three fumbles and intercepted two passes.

E. Illinois 31, Indiana St. 0

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — Mon Williams rushed for two long touchdowns as Eastern Illinois posted its first shutout since Oct. 7, 2006. Eastern Illinois (2-0) limited the Sycamores to 24 yards rushing while cranking out 218 yards on the ground. Williams gained 113 and scored on runs of 54 and 30 yards. Indiana State (0-3) lost its 29th straight game. EIU quarterback Jake Christensen went 14 of 19 for 145 yards and a 20-yard touchdown pass to Chavar Watkins. C.J. James ran back an interception 26 yards for a TD, and Austin Signor kicked a field goal to round out the Panthers’ scoring. Indiana State went three-and-out on its first possession. Then Christensen’s pass to Watkins capped a 63-yard march to make it 7-0. On the second play of the Sycamores’ next possession, James returned his interception, and it was never close.