It was far from perfect.
But the Northern Illinois football team's 45-20 win over Bowling Green on Tuesday was as close to Classic Huskies as they've shown all year, and if they don't have a repeat performance next week, they'll miss a bowl game for the first time since nine years.
The difference was basically the re-emergence of some names that have been suspiciously missing all season – and it becomes particularly important for a repeat performance next week against Toledo in the Chi-Town Showdown at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday.
Start with Joel Bouagnon. It sure seemed like he would be the centerpiece of the offense for the Huskies (3-6 overall, 3-2 MAC), especially after Drew Hare was lost for year.