PHOTO GALLERY

DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University football team held its first extended scrimmage of fall camp and NIU head coach Rod Carey was pleased with what he saw on both sides of the ball.
 
"I really liked the give and take between offense and defense today," Carey said. "To me, that's a sure sign of improvement by both sides. If one side's just ripping the other, I think we have more issues than we think. I liked the back and forth."
 
Carey must have been ready to see what his squad could do because the Huskies hit the practice field 30 minutes early than scheduled. NIU practiced for two-plus hours on a warm afternoon at Huskie Stadium.
 
Following a stretch and a few periods of seven-on-seven and one-on-ones, the Huskies ran 140 plays in an hour and a half running situations from traditional scrimmage, goal line play, and sudden change. Both sides of the ball played well which was encouraging to Carey.
 
"I thought, early on, the offense was moving the ball pretty well," Carey said. "Then, I loved the way the defense pushed back. Right away they got some third down stops, got off the field. I'm a little disappointed the offense didn't have more big plays than they did, but at the same time, I'm happy the defense didn't give them up.
 
The scrimmage opened with the Huskie offense facing third and short. If the offense could convert, they kept the ball. If the defense got a stop, they got off the field. The offense, led by quarterback Ryan Graham (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton-Warrenville South), moved the ball down to inside the 25-yard line on its opening drive of the day, which started on the offense's 30-yard line. However, the defense held and forced a Christian Hagan (Omaha, Neb./Westside) field goal.
 
Graham also moved the team down to the 26-yard line during the two-minute drill, setting up a Hagan field goal attempt, which bounced off the right upright. The redshirt-junior signal caller had a solid day Tuesday and may have started to separate himself from the pack.
 
"I think Ryan Graham played pretty well," Carey said. "I think the other two struggled at times. I have to get in there and see the film, but I thought Ryan maybe might have separated himself today from the other two."
 
The Huskie offense scored a pair of touchdowns during the goal line period. Graham handed the ball to Christian Blake (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons) on an end around, while Marcus Childers (Adairsville, Ga./Adairsville) connected on a three-yard touchdown pass to Jauan Wesley (Markham, Ill./Thornton Township).
 
Newcomer Jonathan Parker (St. Louis, Mo./Christian Brothers/Iowa) had a solid day for the defense, recording a pass break up on a ball intended for Chad Beebe (Aurora, Ill./Aurora Christian) and making an interception late.
 
There were several Huskie fans in attendance for Tuesday's scrimmage including many former players, none bigger, literally and figuratively, than Huskie and Dallas Cowboy great, Doug Free. The former Huskie offensive lineman, who was making his first visit to DeKalb in eight years, stayed for the entire practice and addressed the team at the end. Among his topics, he told the players to enjoy their time at NIU and take advantage of their opportunity afforded them here in DeKalb.
 
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 Thursday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Check Training Camp Central on NIUHuskies.com for daily updates, videos and more.
 
-NIU-