DEKALB, Ill., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Ovie Mughelli was stopped on a two-point conversion run in overtime Thursday night as Northern Illinois rallied for a wild 42-41 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Northern Illinois forced overtime when Steve Azar converted a 46-yard field goal as time expired, then took a 42-35 lead on a six-yard run by Thomas Hammock, who rushed for 168 yards and two scores on 37 carries.
Wake Forest answered on Mughelli's one-yard scamper, but coach Jim Grobe went for the win instead of playing for another overtime and the move backfired.
The Demon Deacons held on for a 38-35 victory over Northern Illinois in last year's finale. In that contest, the Huskies nearly rallied from a 38-21 deficit in the fourth period.
Wake Forest appeared in control Thursday night, taking a 35-24 lead on Mughelli's two-yard run on the final play of the period. But the Huskies closed to within 35-32 on Hammock's three-yard burst with 11:10 left in the regulation.
Josh Haldi completed 13 of 25 for 199 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Huskies, who fell behind by 14 points early in the second period.
James MacPherson completed just seven of 15 passes for 90 yards for the Demon Deacons. Cornelius Birgs paced Wake Forest on the ground with 122 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
