Aug. 23, 2007
DeKALB, Ill. - Having players miss practice time during training camp can be both a blessing and a curse for a team. For the 2007 Northern Illinois linebacking corps, it provides a chance for some Huskies to move up the depth chart and show what they can do.
"Tim McCarthy (Neenah, Wisc./Neenah) has missed some time with an infection and we don't know what will happen with Phil Brown (Chicago, Ill./Morgan Park)," said head coach Joe Novak. "So right now we've got Cory Hanson (Minneapolis, Minn./De La Salle), Josh Allen (North Chicago, Ill./North Chicago) and John Tranchitella (Addison, Ill./Driscoll) and that's where were are."
McCarthy returns to anchor the linebackers after registering 212 tackles in his first two collegiate seasons. The junior captain enters 2007 as a preseason All-MAC choice and will be one of the team's defensive leaders. Brown, who missed the 2006 campaign because of injury after a 51-tackle freshman season, was penciled in as a starter upon his return.
Sophomores Hanson and Tranchitella have accelerated their development during training camp after making successful debuts a year ago. Hanson racked up 72 tackles to rank fifth on the team and Tranchitella returned a blocked punt for a touchdown in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Allen is another player who has seized his opportunity and stepped up in practice. The junior played in 11 games last season, mostly on special teams, after racking up 37 tackles and making four starts during his freshman season.
"We've got a good group of kids and we are trying to build some depth at linebacker," said defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Denny Doornbos. "Tranchitella is seeing time in the middle to gain experience there and Allen and Hanson are doing very well on the outside for us. This group makes plays and has demonstrated excellent hand-eye coordination and the ability to intercept passes."
Newcomer Kyle Skarb (Hawthorn Woods, Ill./Lake Zurich) has caught the eye of coaches in his first few weeks of college football and has been running with the second team linebackers along with sophomore Zach Larsen (Northfield, Minn./Northfield), who played four games in 2006.
"Skarb has come in and done a great job in camp," said Doorbos. "He is a good player who is smart, picks things up very quickly and shows savvy on the field."
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.
