"Physical!"
That's the way Northern Illinois' football team might be described.
Granted, the Huskies might have a question mark or two, but they also return a bevy of talent and have added some speedy newcomers who might help NIU make another MAC title game run and/or end its recent run of post-season disappointments.
Defense has been a calling card of the Huskies, and 2010 opponents know they are in for more of the same. Northern Illinois led the MAC with a 329.9 ypg average in total defense. Pick a defensive category, and chances are NIU was within the top three spots
For whatever reason, the defense went south toward the final three games of 2009-10 as NIU yielded 38 to MAC East champ Ohio, 45 to MAC West champ Central Michigan and 27 to South Florida in the International Bowl. Nonetheless, Northern Illinois returns the pieces to make quite a few opponents shake their heads after another disappointing offensive series.
It all starts up front, and with the return of team leader Jake Coffman (who initially decided to forego a final year of eligibility), that unit is ready to roll. The 6-5, 255-pound senior defensive end had 8.5 sacks last season while earning Second Team All-MAC honors.
Mike Krause was penciled in at noseguard with Brian Lawson backing him up. Returning senior D. J. Pirkle and sophomore Sean Progar also hold down line spots.
The Huskies also have talent in the secondary with Tracy Wilson (6-3, 203) leading the way from his strong safety position. The junior led NIU with 93 tackles last year. Senior Mike Sobol is back at free safety, where redshirt sophomore Tommy Davis (5-11, 201) is also in the mix.
Seniors Chris Smith is at one corner, while classmates Kiaree Daniels and Patrick have battled to a virtual draw at the other corner spot.
Whatever secondary combination Head Coach Jerry Kill settles on, the Huskies will hope to improve on a ninth place (MAC) finish in pass defense efficiency.
"From spring ball and really going into camp, every day going into practice, we just built a lot of chemistry and trust in each other," Wilson said. "Knowing that the person ... next to me (is) going to do his job as long as I do my job, we're going to be okay."
OFFENSE
There is more uncertainty on offense, with the quarterback position providing a major question. Junior Chandler Harnish was managing the offense well last year before suffering a knee injury. Although he returned to action, he was somewhat limited down the stretch.
Demarcus Grady, now a redshirt junior, crafted a 5-0 record while filling in for Harnish in 2009. However, the NIU staff also managed to land Casey Weston with its latest recruiting class. Grady threw for 2,871 yards and 27 touchdowns in nine games for Northwest Mississippi Junior College last year.
Who will get the call against Iowa State Thursday night?
Well, Kill has ruled out seeing all three quarterbacks, but he opted not to name a starter in this week's coach's conference. "We'll probably travel four quarterbacks," Kill said while bemoaning the Huskies' injuries at the position in recent years. "I've never had anybody get hurt as quarterback as much as we've had here," he said. "Whoever it is going to be, we don't want to reveal that."
Regardless of who ends up calling the signals, he will have a solid runner behind him in tailback Chad Spann, who rushed for 1,038 yards and 20 TDs in 2009. The senior's efforts helped NIU finish first (MAC) in rushing offense with an average of 195.2 ypg.
With Meco Brown, a Third Team All-MAC selection, not returning, Spann should will be a key performer. Junior college transfer Jasmin Hopkins and senior Ricky Crider provide some credible options. Kyle Skarb (6-2, 228, Sr.) and Conner Flahive (6-0, 235) will help pave the way from the fullback slot.
Up front, there is some rebuilding work to be done. Four-year starters and First Team All-MAC members Eddie Adamski and Jason Onyebuagu are gone. However, starters Trevor Olson (6-6, 306, LT) and Joe Palak (6-5, 301) - both juniors - return. Scott Wedge (6-4, 300, R-JR) finally gets his shot at center. Logan Pegram (6-3, 312, R-So) and Matt Krempel (6-4-296, R-Fr) will hold down a guard spot.
Junior tight end Jason Schepler (6-3, 265) is a people mover, while redshirt junior Jack Marks provides a threat in what Kill hopes will be an improved passing offense. Several others could also figure at the position, especially when NIU elects to use a double tight end set.
While the running game remains a staple, NIU could certainly benefit from improving on a passing offense that ranked 11th among 13 MAC teams. Landon Cox (6-3, 220) is the top producer among some moderately experienced receivers available in 2010. He not only had 45 catches, 545 yards and four touchdowns, but he is also known as a solid blocking end. Among the other receiver options are Perez Ashford, Nathan Palmer, and Martel Moore.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker Mike Salerno is gone, and Kill was undecided about who might step in. Freshman Mathew Sims, senior Michael Cklamovski and junior Ryan Fillingim are among the options for field goals and/or kickoffs. Cklamovski's transfer situation was hazy entering the final week of fall camp.
Josh Wilber has the nod at punter, while Tommy Davis could handle punts and kickoffs. He was third in kickoff returns last season with a 24.1 yard average.
SCHEDULE
The Huskies will be challenged early. NIU opens at Iowa State. After hosting North Dakota, Kill's crew travels to Illinois and Minnesota before opening the MAC schedule at Akron. A cross-division game with Temple the following week will pit two MAC powers against each other in a mid-season matchup. Both teams should have strong defenses and enough offensive talent - if healthy - to be dangerous.
"I guess it's just coaching (but) I've gone into every year feeling good about where you're at," Kill said this week. 'You really don't know (anything for sure) until you play. Am I more combortable than I was when I first walked in the door? You bet. I think the longer you're at one place, the more you understand it."
He continued, "You get an idea of what your strengths and weknesses are in practice, but until you play a game, there might be a young man who excels in a game situation who maybe didn't excel in a practice situation. ... You've got to get to that game to really get the feel for those kinds of things."
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