Northern Illinois scored 23 unanswered points, leading to a 23-20 lead over Eastern at halftime.

An 18-yard field goal with five seconds remaining in the half by Mathew Sims capped off the Huskies’ 23 unanswered points after the Panthers scored the first 20 points of the game.

Eastern quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo began 13-of-16 for 180 yards passing and three touchdowns as the Panthers went ahead 20-0 with 7:36 remaining in the first quarter. Since his third touchdown of the game to sophomore receiver Keiondre Gober, Garoppolo has gone 7-of-13 for 75 yards and has thrown an interception.

Northern running back Camer Stingly scored two touchdowns and has added 44 yards on the ground on nine attempts.

Jordan Lynch finished the half 12-of-18 for 145 yards and a touchdown. Lynch has also rushed for 79 yards, a game-high thus far, on 10 attempts.

Eastern has converted two of its four fourth down attempts, while Northern has succeeded in both of its attempts.

The Huskies will open the second half on offense.

Aldo Soto can be reached at 581-2812 or asoto2@eiu.edu