BOWLING GREEN-- Bowling Green already missed one chance to make a huge statement about how far it has come in three seasons.

Now it has another shot.

No. 23 Bowling Green takes on 12th-ranked Northern Illinois on Saturday in what may be the biggest game in decades for the Mid-American Conference.

It's the first time two MAC schools ranked in the Top 25 have met since No. 17 Miami of Ohio played 19th-ranked Kent State in 1973.

The Falcons handed Purdue its only loss of the season to open the year, but they came away feeling like they let one get away in a 17-10 loss at Ohio State -- a game that wasn't decided until the final drive.

Quarterback Josh Harris threw three interceptions against the Buckeyes, calling it "disgusting."

"It does seem like we're getting a second chance," said Bowling Green defensive back Janssen Patton. "But it's only an opportunity if you take advantage of it."

Northern Illinois (7-0, 3-0 MAC) still can sneak into a major bowl game, but it must finish the regular season undefeated. The Huskies are one of four unbeaten teams remaining in major college football.

Coach Joe Novak is doing his best to not let that become a distraction. "Honestly, we don't think about that stuff," he said. "That is completely out of our control."

Harris is the one player the Huskies must slow down. He directs an offense that averages 515 yards per game -- second best in the nation.

"He's like a big fullback running the football." Novak said. "He's almost 240 pounds, and the thing that I think he has improved so much on even from last year is his ability to throw it."

Harris, who has 10 touchdown passes and another seven rushing scores in seven games, has matured on the field too.

The loss at Ohio State taught him to value every possession.

"We wasted time," he said. "We took up too much time not doing anything with the ball."

Harris has helped lead a dramatic turnaround for the Falcons. They are 23-7 since 2001, after six consecutive losing seasons.

Still, Bowling Green (6-1, 3-0) this season has had trouble finishing off drives.

That must change, said first-year coach Gregg Brandon. He moved up from offensive coordinator after Urban Meyer moved on to Utah.

"Last year, we got spoiled," he said. "Whenever we got in the red zone, we scored a touchdown. This year, we're not scoring at that type of tempo."

The Huskies rely on big playmakers Michael Turner, the nation's second-leading runner with 132 yards per game, and P.J. Fleck, who averages eight catches a game.

"It's pretty much pick your poison," Patton said.

Bowling Green will look to keep the pair off the field by controlling the ball on the ground with Harris and running back P.J. Pope, who has seven touchdowns this season.

Pope, a sophomore, said he came to Bowling Green because he was told the program was changing.

"I knew it would be a special place," he said. "It definitely happened fast. Now we expect to win every game."

Originally published Saturday, October 25, 2003