It was past 2 a.m. on the East Coast when San Diego State entered victory formation. The Aztecs had intercepted NIU quarterback Daniel Santacaterina on the Huskies' attempt at a game-winning possession, icing the game with a score of 34-28.
No. 19 San Diego State earned its third narrow victory in a row, sliding past Stanford and Air Force before fending off a feisty Northern Illinois team in the game's final minutes. At halftime, it appeared that Rocky Long and his squad had this game in the bag. With home field advantage at SDCCU Stadium and a 31-14 lead over the Mid American Conference foes, San Diego State would earn its 5-0 record but not without a fight.