*N. Illinois batters W. Illinois 41-7*

DE KALB, Ill.(AP) -- Chad Spann scored three first-half touchdowns to lead Northern Illinois to a 41-7 non-conference victory over intrastate rival Western Illinois on Saturday.

Spann, a junior tailback, scored on runs of 7 and 3 yards plus a 20-yard reception from quarterback Chandler Harnish before a Huskie Stadium crowd of 21,437.

The Huskies (1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak against the Leathernecks dating back to 1996.

Harnish also threw a 4-yard touchdown strike to sophomore receiver Jason Schepler in the first half and went 10 of 14 for 143 yards for the game.

In the second half, Northern Illinois tailback Meco Brown scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, and kicker Mike Salerno hit two field goals.

The lone score for the Leathernecks (1-1) came on quarterback Matt Barrs 14-yard first-quarter run. He finished 14 of 22 for 117 yards.