BROOKLINE – Finally, they can call themselves champions.

Spurred by a staunch defense that forced seven turnovers against an overwhelmed Dukes offense, the Northeastern football team (10-2, 7-2 Atlantic-10) earned its first ever conference title with a 41-10 thumping over James Madison.

Senior defensive end Steve Anzalone forced two fumbles and recovered another, while Sophomore standout Liam Ezekiel returned an interception 28 yards for a score. Not to be outdone was defensive lineman Dave Williams, who returned a fumble 38 yards for another defensive touchdown. NU’s defense has scored seven times this season.

“It’s easy to start looking ahead and feeling elation,” said Northeastern coach Don Brown, who will be appearing in the I-AA postseason for the first time ever as a head coach. “When I saw them come out to practice Tuesday, I knew we weren’t done.

“We scored on defense, and achieved all the goals that we had for the regular season.”

Junior running back Tim Gale led the offensive charge, gaining 132 yards on the ground during the windy afternoon affair.

JMU starting quarterback was under siege all afternoon, which forced him into a 3-for-12 passing game with two interceptions and only 45 yards passing.

Maine also won on Saturday, earning a share of the conference title. But since William and Mary lost and UMass won, Northeastern won the league tie-breaker over Maine, giving them the automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.

“We’re for real,” Brown said. “Watch the way we handles ourselves over the last couple of weeks.”

Senior cornerback Art Smith agreed.

“This is the best thing that ever happened. It had to happen, and we proved it,” he said.

The selection show can be seen Sunday on ESPNews (NESN) at 1 p.m. Tune into The Northeastern News for details on where NU will play.