Aug. 14, 2007
Editor's Note: Over the next 9 days, Northern Illinois' daily practice reports will contain a position-by-position look at the 2007 Huskie team. Today, a preview of the defensive tackles. Coming Wednesday: the Wide Receivers.
DeKALB, Ill. - After battling high temperatures and stifling humidity through the first week of practice, the Northern Illinois football team was greeted with overcast weather and a temperature in the mid-70's, Tuesday morning.
The break from the usual heat of preseason practice was a special treat for some of the biggest men on the field, Northern Illinois' defensive tackles.
This season's DTs will count on strength in numbers, as Assistant Coach Jeff Phelps counts depth as one of the group's greatest assets.
"We're excited because we do have some depth," Phelps said. "If we stay healthy, it will allow us to develop a rotation that will help our guys stay fresh, and be ready to roll in the fourth quarter."
Phelps' rotation will likely begin with two juniors that hold starting experience as Huskies: Craig Rusch (Hilbert, Wis./Hilbert HS) and Alex Krutsch (Schaumburg, Ill./Schaumburg).
Rusch, who has appeared in 17 games and started seven in his career, ranked second on the team in tackles for loss in 2006, while garnering either a sack or a TFL in 11 consecutive contests.
Krutsch started six of the seven games he appeared in during the 2006 season before being sidelined with injury. While on the field, he contributed 13 tackles, a sack and a blocked extra point.
NIU Head Coach Joe Novak is confident in the pair.
"We've got a pair of solid rocks in the middle with Krutsch and Rusch," Novak said. "I also expect to get something out of our seniors, and that will be a bonus."
Two seniors are featured at the defensive tackle position for NIU. Georgetown, Ill., native Zack Holycross (Georgetown-Ridge Farm HS) is the most experienced Huskie at the position, with 35 games played in his three-year career.
Holycross' senior counterpart is Adam Schroeder (Loves Park, Ill./Boylan HS). Schroeder has found his way into Novak's starting line-up three times, including for games in 2006 against Ohio State and Western Michigan.
"Schroeder and Holycross add senior leadership and more depth to the defensive line," Phelps said.
While Phelps complimented the effort of his upperclassmen on the field, he also exalted their leadership off of it.
"The upperclassmen have really taken the young guys under their wings," he said. "This has been the case with the whole team, but I really feel like (the defensive tackles) have done a great job teaching the freshmen."
With tutelage from the upperclassmen, Phelps said some of his freshmen are ready to contribute this season, namely redshirt freshmen Mike Krause (Germantown, Wis./Germantown) and Ed Jackson (Belleville, Ill./Cahokia), as well as true freshman D.J. Pirkle (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln Way East).
"As a unit I'm excited about this group," Phelps said. "I was proud they arrived in shape and ready to play, so we've been working on plays and technique. They've still got a ways to go, but we'll be ready for Iowa."
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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