Aug. 11, 2007
DeKALB, Ill. - After practicing for a total of more than four hours in a pair of workouts at steamy Huskie Stadium Saturday, the 2007 Northern Illinois football team gathered in the end zone, all eyes fixed on starting center Eddie Adamski (Kildeer, Ill./Carmel HS).
Head Coach Joe Novak had just made the team a deal. If Adamski could catch just one of three punts off the foot of punter Andy Dittbenner (Bloomington, Ill./Normal University HS), Novak would call off the conditioning runs scheduled for the end of practice.
When Adamski coolly handled Dittbenner's first booming blast with near-perfect return-man form, he was mobbed by his cheering NIU teammates and Northern Illinois' first week of preseason workouts ended on a high note.
"It's amazing how popular I get when they don't [have to] condition," said Novak, who said he thought Adamski "had a good chance" to catch a punt. "He's a pretty good athlete," he added.
The catch closed out Northern Illinois' first day of two-a-day workouts preceding Sunday's off-day. On Saturday, the Huskies practiced for two hours in full pads during the morning before returning to the field in shells (shoulder pads, shorts, helmets) for another two-hour session in the afternoon.
Novak reiterated the need for his team to develop more mental toughness, especially among its younger players.
"Mental toughness means working through practice when you're tired," Novak said. "Don't get sloppy, don't take yourself off the field for a little thing. It's a matter of concentration, and being able to stay focused and still work well. Individually, we have some tough guys who work through it, but others are not there yet. It's a process you learn. We're not good enough as a team in that area right now."
Novak has also talked to the 2007 Huskies about the value of practice for this team, his 12th NIU squad.
"I told this team that, more than possibly any team we've had here recently, this team needs good practices," Novak said. "And I haven't been displeased with this week. We got a lot of football in. We saw a lot of carry over from spring, which was good. It's a matter of refining and getting the execution down. They are working at it."
Asked to choose an area of the team that stood out during the first week of practice, Novak lauded his entire defensive unit.
"The defense as a group has had a good week of practice - they have played well," Novak said. "I see athleticism and I think it's going to be a much improved group. I'm anxious to see them play."
The Huskies will not practice Sunday, although they will meet and lift weights in the Yordon Center. As Adamski's catch proved, the team was more than ready for the off day.
"After a full week of football, as long as they have worked hard, which they have, I think it helps to have an off day," Novak said. "They're ready for a break and we'll come back to the field ready for two practices on Monday."
Northern Illinois opens the 2007 season on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Chicago's Soldier Field versus Iowa. The sold-out game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. and will be televised by ESPNU. The Huskie Stadium opener will take place Saturday, Sept. 8 versus in-state foe Southern Illinois. Season tickets for NIU's five Huskie Stadium games are on sale now for just $95 at www.niuhuskies.com or by calling the Athletics Ticket Office at 815-752-6800.
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