Aug. 31, 2006

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois held its final practice in Huskie Stadium Thursday afternoon in shorts and helmets before preparing to travel to Columbus, Ohio for Saturday's contest versus No. 1 Ohio State in Ohio Stadium. The Huskies depart from Huskie Stadium on Friday morning and will hold a brief work-out at Ohio Stadium upon arriving in Columbus.

After four full weeks of preparation, NIU Head Coach Joe Novak pronounced his team ready.

"We're ready to play," Novak said. "We're prepared, we've worked hard, physically we're ready, and mentally we're ready. This is as good as I have felt going into a season in a long time. Now we've got to go play."

Thursday's practice was a fast-paced "walk-through" consisting primarily of situational drills, including all special teams units and game circumstances. Continuing the trend that started early this week, practice ended early as Novak looks to ensure that the Huskies will not be worn out before Saturday's game.

"The last couple of days we've really backed off," Novak said. "We want them to have fresh legs and to be as healthy as they can be before Saturday."

Along with the preparation, Novak likes the mood and maturity of his 2006 squad, which features 14 fifth-year seniors.

"The team is not uptight," Novak said. They're anxious to play and looking forward to it. We've got some veterans on this team that has been in big games and big stadiums before. The only question is how the young guys will react."

In other news Friday, Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe added his name to yet another "Watch List" when the 2006 candidates for the Doak Walker Award were announced. Wolfe, the nation's leading returning rusher, has been named a preseason All-American by several publications, including Playboy, and is already a candidate for the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Maxwell awards.

The Doak Walker Award honors the top running back in the nation each year. Semifinalists for the 2006 award will be named Nov. 15 and three finalists will take part in the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 7, where the winner will be announced. Recipients must be in good academic standing and on schedule to graduate.

Saturday's game will be televised live by ABC beginning at 2:30 p.m. (Central Time). The Huskie Radio Network will begin its coverage at 2 p.m. with the pregame show which will air on The Score, WSCR 670 AM in Chicago. WLBK (1360 AM) in DeKalb is the flagship station for the Huskie Radio Network.

NIU opens its 2006 home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 9 in Huskie Stadium versus MAC opponent Ohio in the first of three straight September home dates for the Huskies. Season and single game tickets for the 2006 campaign are on sale now through the NIU Athletics Ticket Office in the Convocation Center. Tickets can be ordered by calling Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212 or on the internet at www.niuhuskies.com.

-- NIU --