NIU overpower’s Toledo in second half-MAC West Champs again

TOLEDO—Northern Illinois’ Jordan Lynch ran for three touchdowns and 161 yards to lead the No. 20 Huskies over Toledo 35-17 Wednesday night.The Huskies (11-0, 7-0 Mid-American Conference) clinched a fourth consecutive trip to the MAC title game and extended their 24-game conference winning streak.Lynch had been shut down in the first half, but he took over late.His 1-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter capped a 99-yard drive that stretched the Huskies’ lead to 28-17.NIU is still in the hunt for a second straight Bowl Championship Series appearance,but they will need Fresno State to lose a game. The Huskies are 16th in this week’s BCS rankings,Fresno is 15th.Terrance Owens threw two touchdown passes for Toledo (7-4, 5-2).Lynch finished with 202 yards passing.