For just over a half, it seemed the Northeastern football team would extend its winning streak over Division I-A opponents to three.

But the United States Naval Academy responded to the Huskies’ challenge in the second half, scoring 14 quick points en route to a 28-24 victory, before 25,115 fans Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Northeastern (1-1) previously beat Ohio University in 2002 and University of Connecticut in 2000.

Husky coach Rocky Hager was impressed with the team’s ability to play to the end.

“We fought till the last play. We fought like champions,” said Hager, also noting the level of competition the Huskies were up against. “What people have to understand is that this is a bowl team (Houston Bowl vs. Texas Tech) from a year ago, and are among the top half of Division I-A football with enough starters to return.”

The Huskies held a 17-14 lead entering the second half, before the Midshipmen (2-0) took advantage of a Miro Kesic punt and an NU quarterback Shawn Brady interception to get 14 points and the win.

With 13:25 remaining in the third quarter, Frank Divis rushed 34 yards to the Husky 25 to start a crucial Navy scoring drive.

Kyle Eckel, Navy’s All-American back, and quarterback Aaron Polanco then did all of the rushing the Midshipmen would need to grab the lead for good.

Polanco single-handedly took over the rushing offense for the Midshipmen, constantly catching the Husky defense off guard with 156 yards on 29 carries, while rushing into the end zone three times.

“One thing we said we were going to take away was Eckel,” said Hager, speaking of Polanco’s success. “They ran a different scheme that forced us to adjust. We needed discipline to handle that and that falls into the lap of our ends, our linebackers and our defensive backs. Our number one fear was if we would be able to hold onto our discipline.”

Brady scored along with tailback Anthony Riley, who gained 59 yards for the Huskies. Cory Parks led the Husky receiving corps again with 62 yards and a touchdown, his third in two weeks.

The Huskies drew first blood in the first play of the contest, when Richard Orah, the sophomore cornerback who replaced injured Jeremiah Mason, picked off Polanco’s pass 26 yards to the Northeastern one-yard line.

“Richard had a really good summer and it’s paying dividends now,” Hager said of Orah, who had another interception for two on the day, and now three on the season. “Someone else’s misfortune (Mason’s injury) has proved to be his opportunity and he’s making the most of it.”

Two plays later, Brady rushed in for the early lead, quickly giving the Huskies a cushion for the first half.

A back-and-forth game followed, including an uncharacteristic three interceptions from Brady and another two from Polanco.

Navy responded well to the Huskies’ first score when Polanco immediately began his rushing assault.

He stepped back to pass and found a hole through the middle, rushing 36 yards to the Northeastern 25. He took the ball again on the next two plays, gaining another 20.

Eckel lost one on the next play, but after an offside penalty, Polanco finished what he started with a two-yard touchdown, creating a tie game 7-7.

The Huskies took advantage of poor field position from Navy to start their next drive at the opponent’s 31. Riley rushed in on three plays to give the lead back to Northeastern.

Led by a set of rushing plays from Polanco, the Midshipmen then insured the Northeastern lead wouldn’t stay in place for long.

Various gains from Polanco, including runs of 10 and eight yards, brought the Midshipmen all the way from their own 17 to the Husky end zone (14-14).

A 23-yard field goal from Kesic gave Northeastern hope and the lead entering the second half, but it did not stay for long, as the Midshipmen scored on their first two drives of the second half.

Divis, Eckel and Polanco combined for all of the rushing Navy would need for their first score (21-14), while a key Polanco 14-yard pass to Eckel fueled the next (28-14).

Despite starting at their own 17, the Huskies drove down the entire field to score their final touchdown and extend hopes of a possible comeback.

Shawnn Gyles ran for 23 yards to fuel the drive, while rushes from Maurice Murray, and passes from Brady to Quintin Mitchell (eight yards) and Parks (19) brought the ball down the field for the score.

Brady’s TD pass was the 39th of his NU career, good for second all-time for the Huskies. Parks’ TD reception was the 19th of his career, moving him into a tie with Jeremy Gobeil (1994) for second all-time. The same catch was Parks’ 99th career grab, sixth most in school history.

The Huskies have the week off before they travel to Maryland to play Towson on Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.