DEKALB, Ill. – This spring, the NCAA Division I Council voted to eliminate that summer ritual know as two-a-days. No longer can teams have two full-contact practices in the same day.
 
Teams can still have two practices in one day, but the second practice cannot be an actual practice or conditioning. It must be film study or a walk through and players cannot be in helmets or shoulder pads.
 
While it has been mandated starting this year, many college football teams have phased out two-a-days over the last few years. In 2013, the Huskies had six two-a-days and four in 2014. NIU did not have any two-a-days in 2015 but had two last season. However, this year's camp schedule is very different from schedules of the past, just beyond no two-a-days.
 
This year's camp schedule consists of practice Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Huskies have an off day on Wednesdays and meetings and walkthroughs on Mondays.
 
Probably the biggest difference both NIU head coach Rod Carey and the players have seen early this camp is recovery time.
 
"I think with the rest and recovery, the new schedule will help with that," Carey said. "They [players] are fresher. Whether that proves out in the long run that they stay healthier, we'll see."
 
"My body at least has been feeling pretty good than in past years when we had those two-a-days and back-to-back practices," said defensive tackle William Lee. "I think this schedule allows us to recover more and feel better for the season."
 
There has also been a different, upbeat attitude in camp through these first weeks and much of the credit can go to the new schedule. Not so much that there are no more two-a-days, as much as the off day on Wednesday and walkthroughs and meetings Monday have broken up the monotony of camp.
 
"I love the new schedule," said tight Shane Wimann. "We got an extra week added to camp, but I think it's beneficial to have days off. In the past it was just go, go, go.
 
"Guys are coming out with 'juice too.' Guys aren't coming out like, 'oh, this is day 14 in a row.' It's nice to go a couple practices, have a day with just meetings and everyone comes back on the field with juice."
 
PRACTICE NOTES: NIU practiced for two-plus hours in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets in ideal conditions at Huskie Stadium…Officials were on hand for today's practice…Friday was primarily a situational day for the Huskies as NIU did two periods of first and 10 of ones versus twos. A few periods later the Huskies did more than 20 straight snaps of third and long with Marcus Childers, Ryan Graham and Daniel Santacaterina rotating in…Following a period of kickoff, Carey had the freshmen go after each other for a few series with Rodney Hall and Anthony Williams each getting a series.
 
CAREY ON FRIDAY'S PRACTICE: "I liked the energy and effort today and the improvements coming. Summer school is done as of yesterday so now we're really rolling. It was good today
 
"I wasn't really happy with the way the quarterbacks played today. I thought we left some stuff out on the field, but they'll get in and watch the film, see it and correct it."
 
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.
 
The Huskies will be back on the practice field Saturday at 3:30 a.m. Check Training Camp Central on NIUHuskies.com for daily updates, videos and more.
 
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