DEKALB, Ill. – While many in DeKalb were still sleeping, the Northern Illinois University football team turned in its first practice of 2017 at Huskie Stadium Tuesday morning.
 
NIU head coach Rod Carey, who enters his fifth season as head man in DeKalb, put the Huskies through a 20-period workout in shorts and helmets that began under the lights. While practice started at 5:30 a.m., the Huskies were unfazed by the early wake up call.
 
"There was good energy today, for sure," Carey said. "It's early, it's 5:30 a.m., but they were in here at 4:30 a.m. getting ready. They came out with good energy and good focus, so I was happy about that.
 
"I like the way that they're going about their business. They're focused on what's ahead of them, not what's at the end. That's the mark of a good start."
 
The Huskies spent the first two periods doing special teams, working on field goal and punt before breaking down into position groups for fundamental drills. Wide receivers Christian Blake (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) and Chad Beebe (Aurora, Ill./Aurora Christian) looked impressive in passing drills with the Huskie quarterbacks and in seven-on-seven against the defense.
 
Beebe, who missed last season after suffering an injury before the start of last summer's preseason camp, looked fluid and caught nearly every ball thrown to him. Blake displayed his athleticism multiple times, leaping over defenders to make several spectacular grabs.
 
"It's good to have Chad back," Carey said. "He does a lot for this team. Probably 80 percent of those things don't make stat lines. He's a good player, he's back healthy and looks really good."
 
The defense had its moments as well on the first day of camp. Linebacker Jawuan Johnson (East St. Louis, Ill./New Boston [Texas]) recorded the defense's first pick of camp when he intercepted a bobbled pass during seven-on-seven.
 
Following an off day tomorrow, the Huskies will be back on the practice field Thursday morning at 5:30 a.m. Check Training Camp Central on NIUHuskies.com for daily updates, videos and more.
 
The Huskies open the 2017 season Friday Sept. 1 when NIU plays host to Boston College in Huskie Stadium, as the Eagles become the first Atlantic Coast Conference opponent to play at NIU since 2003.
 
Single game tickets for all six home games this fall are now on sale online at NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225). Season tickets offer the best value with options like the new $199 Family Pack featuring four tickets in sections A or G and a new, lowered $60 price for season tickets on the East Side with general admission seating.  Reserved seats in sections A, B, F and G are just $115 for the season, a cost of less than $20 per game.
 
Three-game mini-plans, priced at just $40 and featuring two different options, are also available. Mini-plan purchasers receive all the benefits of season ticket members, including exclusive invitations to special events throughout the year. Check NIUHuskies.com for all the details.
 
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