Oct. 1, 2012

DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois kicker Mathew Sims gave the Huskies their fifth straight Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week honor Monday when he was chosen as the MAC West Specialist of the Week by the league office. 
 
Sims won the award after scoring 17 points, including six on a seven-yard rushing touchdown off a fake field goal, in the Huskies’ 55-24 victory over Central Michigan Saturday at Huskie Stadium.  Sims, the first team All-MAC kicker a year ago, won a MAC weekly award for the first time in his career.
 
With the Huskies leading 34-24 and 11:28 to play, Sims lined up for an apparent 24-yard field goal attempt but instead received a lateral flip from holder Ryan Neir and ran seven yards for his first career touchdown.  Hit late in the end zone, Sims then got up and made his fifth PAT of the game. 
 
Earlier in the game Sims made a 43-yard field goal, just one yard shy of his career-long, to put the Huskies ahead 17-7.  He also made a 20-yard field goal in the third quarter.  His 17 points were a career high for the junior.
 
The Hannibal, Mo. product has made four-of-five field goals and 20-of-21 PATs this season.  His 38 points scored lead the Huskies.
 
Sims is the first NIU player this year to be named MAC West Specialist of the Week.  Northern Illinois defenders Sean Progar (vs. Iowa) and Jimmie Ward (vs. UT Martin) and quarterback Jordan Lynch (vs. Army and vs. Kansas), won MAC Player of the Week honors over the first four weeks of the season.  
 
Northern Illinois (4-1, 1-0 MAC) battles Ball State (3-2, 1-1 MAC) for the Bronze Stalk Trophy this Saturday in Muncie, Ind.   Kickoff is at 2 p.m. (CT) and the game can be seen online on ESPN3.com.