Mikel LeShoure ran for 179 yards and put the game away with a late touchdown as Illinois beat Northern Illinois 28-22 on Saturday.

Northern Illinois cut the deficit to 21-19 with 6:13 left on Jasmin Hopkins' 20-yard halfback pass to Landon Cox.

But Illinois (2-1) ended any hopes for an upset bid when LeShoure, who had 24 carries, ran 29 yards for a touchdown with 1:51 left. The Huskies' Michael Cklamovski kicked a 48-yard field goal with 24 seconds to play, but Illinois recovered the onside kick to seal the win.

Illinois gained 319 yards on the ground to win its second straight. Quarterback Nathan Scheelhaase ran for116 yards on 16 carries and hit 8-of-16 passes for 69 yards

Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish had a solid day for the Huskies (1-2). He completed 19-of-25 passes for 205 yards and ran for 115 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

Derek Dimke added two field goals for the Fighting Illini.