DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University football team returned to the practice field after an off day at Huskie Stadium Thursday morning.
 
The Huskies worked out for 20 periods in shorts and helmets under ideal conditions. After a bit of a slow start to the day, the Huskies picked things a few periods into practice.
 
"It was a kind of a slow start to the day," said NIU head coach Rod Carey. "The second day early in the morning. We had to snap ourselves out of it. Once we got going I thought it was pretty good."
 
The energy level was particularly high once the team got to the team portion. Carey was pleased with the way his team responded throughout practice.
 
"I think we had good high energy going on, good passion being shown and that's what you like to see," Carey said. "They dug themselves out of the hole they started in. You just hope that hole isn't too big to start with."
 
Wide receiver Spencer Tears had a good second day of camp. He made some nice receptions during pass skelly, one tip-toeing the sideline and another in traffic, however, he was unable to come up with a touchdown grab during team period.
 
On the defensive side of the ball, cornerback Jalen Embry (Detroit, Mich./King) made a couple pass break ups during pass skelly and team. Redshirt freshman Corey Lersch (McHenry, Ill./McHenry) made an interception that was tipped by two players before he snagged it from the air.
 
After watching the film from Tuesday's practice Carey was not only pleased with his team's energy, but their attention to detail.
 
"I think there was good energy, effort, and enthusiasm," he said. "I think the defense was really running around on Tuesday, which was really nice to see. There weren't a whole lot of busts [plays]. There weren't a whole lot of MEs, MAs, busts or missed assignments, whatever you what to call them. It was just guys doing their job and really running around."
 
The Huskies will be back on the practice field Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.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.
 
-NIU-