DeKalb, IL -- (Sports Network) - Me'co Brown carried the ball 16 times for 123 yards to lead the Northern Illinois Huskies to a 17-13 win over the Miami-Ohio Redhawks in a Mid-American Conference showdown at Huskies Stadium.

Quarterback DeMarcus Brady did just enough to give his team the win, completing 7-of-12 pass attempts for 63 yards and a score. Marcus Perez was Brady's favorite target hauling in four passes for 76 yards.

Daniel Raudabaugh steered the floundering Red Hawk offense, converting 19- of-35 pass attempts for 149 yards. Thomas Merriweather finished with 60 yards rushing on 17 carries, while Andre Bratton caught five balls for 38 yards in a losing effort.

NIU struck first when Mike Salerno drilled a 38-yard field goal early in the first quarter.

The Huskies extended their lead to 10-0 minutes into the second quarter, when Grady hooked up with Landon Cox for a three-yard score.

The Redhawks finally got on the board late in the second quarter, when Eugene Harris returned a punt for a 63-yard touchdown.

The Redhawks tied the game on the final play of the first half, when Nathan Parseghian nailed a 44-yard field goal as time expired.

Parseghian struck again late in the third quarter, kicking a 35-yard field goal to give Miami 13-10 lead.

NIU answered the call minutes later, when Chad Spann busted off tackle for a two-yard score.

The touchdown would prove be the final score of the game for both teams, as the Huskies were able to hold on for a 17-13 victory.

The Huskies dominated Miami on the ground, rushing for 215 yards in the contest.