 TORONTO – After spending the 2009 regular season impressing opponents with both its rushing game and ability to stop the run, Northern Illinois got the other view Saturday. South Florida’s Mike Ford ran for an International Bowl record 207 yards as the Bulls pulled away in the second half for a 27-3 victory at the Rogers Center.
Both offenses struggled through two quarters, and the teams went to the locker room locked in a 3-3 tie. But the Bulls, who registered minus-3 yards on the ground before intermission, came out determined to establish a running game in the second half.
On the second play from scrimmage, Ford broke loose on a 36-yard run. It was a sample of things to come as the 6-2, 225-pound junior used power and speed to pick up 104 third quarter yards against NIU, which finished No.2 in the MAC against the run (119 ypg, 3.7 ypc).
It was a career-high performance for Ford, who averaged 10.4 ypc. Saturday and nearly matched the 243 yards of rushing he posted during the regular season.
Once the successful running of the Bulls had commenced, South Florida (8-5) also began to thrive through the air. Two third-down catches by Carlton Moore helped set up a go-ahead 19-yard field goal by Eric Schwartz on the Bulls first possession of the second half.
After a Northern Illinois punt, South Florida moved 81 yards in eight plays for another score. D.J. Daniels hit A.J. Love on a 46-yard pass for the touchdown. Schwartz’ PAT gave the Bulls a 13-3 lead.
Chandler Harnish, who completed 12-of-25 for 130 yards, was intercepted by Jerome Murphy on the Huskies’ next possession. Murphy’s 23-yard return put the Bulls’ offense in business near midfield. Seven plays later, Daniels found Love with a seven-yard TD pass. Daniels completed 14-of-22 passes for 217 yards and two TDs.
Down 20-3, late in the final quarter, Northern Illinois (7-6) tried to pick up a first down with fourth and two yards to go at the NIU 28. Harnish fumbled on the play, and South Florida took over at the 24. Ford covered that distance on the next play, and Schwartz added the PAT to complete scoring.
South Florida ended up with a 406-238 advantage in total offense. The Bulls also bettered NIU in first downs 19-11.
Chad Spaan led Northern Ilinois with 93 net yards rushing. He also had three catches for another 30 yards – second among Huskies receivers. Marcus Lewis paced the group with four catches for 38 yards.
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