Nov. 25, 2010
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL 2010
NIU (9-2, 7-0) at Eastern Michigan (2-9, 2-5)
Nov. 26, 2010 | 11 a.m. (CT)
Ypsilanti, Mich. | Rynearson Stadium | 30,200
HUSKIE FOOTBALL FACTS
2010 Record/MAC Record: 9-2/7-0
2009 Record: 7-6
2009 MAC Record/Finish: 5-3/2nd, West Division
Head Coach: Jerry Kill
Alma Mater/Year: Southwestern (KS)/1983
Record at NIU/Years: 22-15/3rd
Career Record/Years: 126-72/17th
Basic Offense/Defense: Multiple/4-3
First Year of Football: 1899
All-Time Record: 510-459-51
Last Bowl Game: 2010 International Bowl (Toronto): USF 27, NIU 3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 49/23
Starters Returning: 19 (6 Off., 11 Def., 2 Spec.)
Starters Lost: 7 (4 Off., 2 Def., 1 Spec.)
Complete ( 'http://www.niuhuskies.com/photos/schools/niu/sports/m-footbl/auto_pdf/weekly-release.pdf" ) Release in PDF Format
NORTHERN ILLINOIS FACTS
Location: DeKalb, Illinois
Founded: 1895
Enrollment: 24,397
Affiliation: NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision
Conference: Mid-American (West Division)
Colors: Cardinal and Black
Nickname: Huskies
Stadium: Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium
Surface/Capacity: Field Turf /24,000
President (Alma Mater, Year): Dr. John Peters (John Carroll '67)
Assoc. VP/Athletic Director: Jeff Compher
Alma Mater: James Madison '80
Ticket Information: 815-752-6800
Athletics Website: www.NIUHuskies.com
2010 NIU SCHEDULE
EMU EAGLES FACTS
2010 Record/Conference Record: 2-9/2-5
2009 Record/Conference Record/Finish: 0-12/0-8 6th West
Head Coach: Ron English
Alma Mater/Year: California '90
Record at EMU/Year: 2-22/2nd
Career Record/Year: 2-22/2nd
Location: Ypsilanti, Mich.
Enrollment: 22,638
Conference: Mid-American
Colors: Green & White
Stadium: Rynearson Stadium
Surface/Capacity: FieldTurf/30,200
President: Dr. Susan W. Martin
Athletic Director: Dr. Derrick Gragg
Ticket Information: 734-487-2282
Athletics Website: www.emueagles.com
FB Media Relations Contact: Jim Streeter
Phone: 734-487-0317 (O); 734-260-1004 (C)
E-Mail Address: jim.streeter@emich.edu
2010 EMU SCHEDULE
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: Northern Illinois leads 24-14-2
In Ypsilanti: Northern Illinois leads 11-7-1
In MAC Games: Northern Illinois leads 15-4-2
Streak: NIU, 2
Kill vs. Eastern Michigan: 2-1
NIU HEAD COACH Jerry Kill
Jerry Kill is in his third season at Northern Illinois and his 17th season as a collegiate head coach. The Kansas native will become the first coach in NIU history to lead his team to three straight bowl games and is just the second coach to take NIU to the MAC title game. With this season's victory over Minnesota, Kill's NIU teams have two wins over Big Ten teams, and he owns a 22-15 overall won-loss record at Northern Illinois. Kill's 126-72-0 career record as a head coach is good for a winning percentage of .636. Prior to NIU, he spent 14 years as head coach of programs at Saginaw Valley State (1994-98), Emporia State (1999-2000) and Southern Illinois (2001-07).
In his first stint as a collegiate head coach at Saginaw Valley State (Mich.) from 1994-98, Kill's teams posted five consecutive winning seasons, a 38-14 overall record and were nationally-ranked in each of his final two years. After two seasons at Emporia State (Kans.), he moved on to Southern Illinois, where he led the Salukis to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs five times, including a trip to the FCS semifinals in 2007.
Southern Illinois went 55-32 in seven seasons under Kill. He was named the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year in 2004 following a 10-2 campaign, and won the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award in 2007 while leading SIU to a 12-2 record. Southern Illinois spent 64 straight weeks in the Top 20 between 2003 and 2007 and was ranked in the Top 10 for 12 consecutive weeks in 2007.
Kill began his collegiate coaching career at Kansas powerhouse Pittsburg State, beginning in 1985 with three seasons as the defensive coordinator. After spending the 1988 and `89 campaigns as the head coach at Webb City High School where the team won the 1989 state championship, he returned to PSU as offensive coordinator for the then NCAA Division II team. He picked up another championship as the Gorillas won the national title in 1991 with a 13-1-1 record.
The Northern Illinois football program has achieved academically under Kill. In his two seasons at NIU, 50 football student-athletes have earned their degrees and the football team's most recent Academic Progress Rate of 975 ranks the Huskies 10th in the country in eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes.
HUSKIE MULTIMEDIA
Watch NIU-EMU Online
There is no over-the-air television broadcast of the Northern Ilinois-Eastern Michigan game, however, the game will be streamed live online via the All-MACcess pay service, with audio provided by the EMU radio crew. Go to www.mac-sports.com to sign up for the All-MACcess stream, or find the same production at www.emueagles.com.
NIU-Eastern Michigan on Radio
On radio, fans can listen to the Northern Illinois-Eastern Michigan game on the Huskies' flagship station, WLBK AM 1360 in DeKalb, in Chicago on WSCR AM 670 The Score as well as on WTJK ESPN1380 AM in Janesville, Wis. which covers the Rockford, Ill. market. The NIU-ISP Radio Network broadcast kicks off with the pregame show at 10:30 a.m. (CT). Hall of Fame broadcaster Bill Baker is in his 31st season as the play-by-play voice of the Huskies and is joined by Mark Lindo, in his 26th year as NIU's color analyst. NIU Live co-host Andy Garcia will handle sideline duties for the Eastern Michigan game.
"Inside Huskie Football" Radio Show
NIU Head Coach Jerry Kill joins host Bill Baker and other special guests on the "Inside Huskie Football" live radio show this WEDNESDAY from 7-8 p.m. The show takes place at Fatty's Pub & Grille on Lincoln Highway in DeKalb. Hear the show on WLBK 1360 AM DeKalb and on NIU-ISP Radio Network affiliate ­ESPN 1380AM in Janesville, Wis. In addition, a special pre-MAC Championship show will be held next Tuesday, Nov. 30 beginning at 7 p.m.
"NIU Live" Radio Show
Each week, join NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics Jeff Compher, host Andy Garcia and Northern Illinois coaches for "NIU Live" on WSCR 670 AM The Score in Chicago. The 30-minute show features a weekly update with football coach Jerry Kill as well as interviews with other Huskie coaches and all the latest NIU Athletics news. This week's show will air on Thursday, Nov. 24 from 12-12:30 a.m.
Huskie All-Access
Fans across the country can hear all NIU live radio broadcasts, including football games and "Inside Huskie Football," live on Huskie All-Access at www.NIUHuskies.com. All-Access subscribers pay just $6.95/month or $49.95/year to receive all NIU radio game and show broadcasts, as well as select football and all home men's and women's basketball, volleyball and men's and women's soccer games. Subscribers also have access to Coach Kill's weekly press conferences and special video features.
NIUHuskies.com
Get all of the latest NIU Athletics news and information, statistics, press releases and more online every day at www.NIUHuskies.com, the official athletics website for Northern Illinois University.
Key Links
http://www.mac-sports.com
http://www.emueagles.com
http://www.ncaa.org
NIU NEWS & NOTES
Regular Season Finale
Northern Illinois looks for its 10th win of the season and ninth straight victory as the Huskies close out the 2010 regular season Friday at Eastern Michigan. The Huskies are looking to complete the first undefeated MAC season in school history after clinching a spot in the Marathon MAC Championship game with a 59-21 win at Ball State last Saturday.
Eight Straight
NIU's win over Ball State extended the Huskies' winning streak to eight games, to surpass the seven-game winning streaks compiled by the 2002 and 2003 Northern Illinois teams. The Huskies' current string of eight straight wins is the most by an NIU team in 45 years, since Coach Howard Fletcher's 1965 squad won nine straight contests to post an undefeated regular season. That team's streak was broken with a loss to North Dakota in the Mineral Water Bowl. Northern Illinois' current winning streak - the school's longest as an NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly "Major College") institution - started Sept. 25 with a win at Minnesota and has continued with Mid-American Conference victories over Akron, Temple, Buffalo, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Toledo and Ball State.
Clinching a Spot
With the win over Ball State, Northern Illinois clinched a share of the Mid-American Conference West Division title and a berth in the MAC Championship game to be played at Detroit's Ford Field on Friday, Dec. 3, 2010. NIU made its only previous appearance in the MAC title game in 2005 where the Huskies lost to Akron, 31-30, on a last-second bomb. The Huskies earned a share of the West Division crown in 2001, 2002 and 2004 before breaking through to win the division outright in 2005.
The Coach's Credentials
Jerry Kill is the only Northern Illinois coach to lead the Huskies to back-to-back bowl games in the "major college" era (since 1969) with trips to the Independence Bowl in 2008 and the International Bowl last season and will become the first coach in school history to take the Huskies to three straight bowls. With the win over Minnesota earlier this year, he became the only coach in school history with two wins over Big Ten Conference opponents. Kill has posted a 22-15 record at NIU, highlighted by the bowl trips, Big Ten wins over Purdue (28-21) in 2009 and Minnesota (34-23) and the Huskies' current eight-game winning streak.
Postseason Play
Entering the final regular season game of the year with the MAC Championship game and a bowl berth still on tap, Northern Illinois is guaranteed to play in the postseason for the fifth time in the last six seasons. However, for the first time in school history, NIU will extend its season by two games as in 2010, both participants in the MAC Championship game are guaranteed a bowl berth. The Huskies are bowl eligible for the third straight season and have won at least six games 10 times in the past 11 years dating back to the 2000 season.
The Goal: From 2-10 to 10-2
With a share of the MAC West title secured, Jerry Kill has kept his team focused on Eastern Michigan this week with a new goal - 10 regular season wins. Kill wants his team to help the 2010 seniors (and redshirt juniors) - who endured a 2-10 regular season in 2007 the year before he arrived - enjoy a 180-degree turnaround with a 10-2 finish in 2010. NIU's last 10-win regular season came in 2003 when the Huskies finished 10-2 but did not receive a bowl invite. Northern Illinois' only other 10-win teams were the 1983 MAC Champions (10-2) and 1963 NCAA College Division Champion squads (10-0).
Seeking Perfection
With a 7-0 record in Mid-American Conference games so far this season, Northern Illinois has already posted its most league wins since 2004, when the Huskies went 7-1 in the league and won the West Division. A win at Eastern Michigan would give the Huskies their first undefeated MAC season. In 25 seasons in the MAC, Northern Illinois has never gone undefeated in league play, including in the 1983 championship season when the Huskies were 8-1 versus MAC competition with a loss to Central Michigan.
Every Year
Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan will meet for the 14th consecutive season, ever since the Huskies rejoined the MAC in 1997. The teams have played 40 times overall with NIU holding a 24-14-2 edge in the all-time series. The Huskies have won 15 of the 21 games the teams have played as league foes. NIU is 11-7-1 all-time in Ypsilanti and has not lost at Rynearson Stadium since 2000, a streak of four straight games.
Shutout Streak
Not only do the Huskies have four straight wins in Ypsilanti over Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois' last two trips to Rynearson Stadium have resulted in shutout victories for NIU. The Huskies shut out EMU 37-0 on Sept. 27, 2008 and defeated the Eagles 27-0 on Nov. 24, 2006. Eastern Michigan's last score versus Northern Illinois at home came in 2004 in a 34-16 NIU win. In addition, after scoring on a pair of field goals at Huskie Stadium last year, Eastern Michigan's last touchdown versus Northern Illinois occurred in EMU's 21-19 win over NIU in 2007.
Frequent Foe
Eastern Michigan is one of the oldest and most frequent opponents to dot the Huskies' football schedule as the teams will play for the 41st time in 2010. In 108 years of intercollegiate football, NIU has played only Central Michigan (46 games), Illinois State (56) and Southern Illinois (43) more. With the 41st game on Friday, the EMU series ties with Wheaton (41) as the fourth-most played in school history.
Poll Watching
With an eight-game winning streak and a nine-win season, including an impressive win on national television (ESPN2) versus a MAC unbeaten (at the time) team in Toledo, and a victory over MAC preseason favorite Temple, the Huskies received 72 points in the Associated Press Poll and 67 points in the USA Today Coaches Poll this week and were in the 26th position in both rankings. Last week, NIU was 29th with 37 (AP) and 30 (USA Today) votes, respectively. Two weeks ago, NIU had just nine and eight points in the polls. The last time the Huskies were ranked in the AP Poll was Nov. 9, 2003 when NIU owned a 9-1 record. Northern Illinios was ranked as high as No. 12 that season after starting 7-0 with wins over Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State.
The Last Meeting
A year ago, NIU's Tommy Davis returned the opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown setting the tone for a 50-6 Huskie win over Eastern Michigan at Huskie Stadium. Northern Illinois totaled 537 yards of total offense, including 418 on the ground, highlighted by Chad Spann touchdown runs of 65 and 79 yards. EMU scored on a pair of field goals but it was no match for a 37-point first-half outburst by the Huskies. In the second half, the Northern Illinois defense held the Eagles to just 30 net yards and Eastern did not advance past its own 38-yard line.
MAC Mark
Northern Illinois is completing its 25th season as a member of the Mid-American Conference in 2010 and has a chance to earn its 100th win as a league member versus Eastern Michigan. In MAC games, Northern Illinois is 99-89-2 all-time versus league opponents. Since rejoining the MAC in 1997, NIU is 64-44 (.592) versus league opponents and in three seasons under Jerry Kill, the Huskies are 17-6 in Mid-American Conference games. The Huskies are in the 14th season of their second stint in the MAC after originally playing in the league from 1975-85.
The MAC Road
Northern Illinois has posted a 22-12 (.647) record versus Mid-American Conference foes on the road since 2002, including a 1-3 mark last year and a 2-2 mark in 2008. NIU is 3-0 on the road in the league this season with wins over Akron, Western Michigan and Ball State. The Huskies lone league road WIN last season came at Miami (Ohio) as NIU lost its last two MAC road games in 2009 (at Ohio and at Central Michigan).
Kill's NIU Road Record
After playing four of their first five games of the season on the road, NIU finishes the year by playing three of its last four games away from Huskie Stadium, including the final two regular season contests. Under Jerry Kill, Northern Illinois is 8-10 in road games since 2008, with wins at Purdue and Minnesota. Seven of the 10 losses came by nine points or less, including decisions at Illinois (a 28-22 loss on Sept. 18), at Minnesota and Tennessee (both in 2008) and at Wisconsin (in 2009).
Senior CLASS Finalist
Huskie senior defensive end Jake Coffman is one of 10 finalists for the 2010 Lowe's Senior CLASS Award and Monday marks the beginning of the last full week of fan voting, which will account for one-third of the final total. Individuals can vote once per day (per computer) at www.seniorCLASSaward.com through December 6. Coffman's story, his commitment to the NIU football program and to his country - as evidenced by his time in the Marine Corps - and to the community, through volunteer efforts, makes him an ideal candidate for the award, which honors seniors who have achieved in community, classroom, character and competition. Coffman, the Touchdown Club of Columbus' 2009 Male Athlete of the Year, leads the team with eight tackles for loss and his three quarterback sacks are tied for the team lead. He recorded his first interception of the season and second of his career against Western Michigan.
1,021/511
The Eastern Michigan game will be the 1,021st game in Northern Illinois history and the Huskies will be looking for their 511th victory all-time. NIU played its 1,000th game and won its 500th, last season and has a 510-459-51 all-time record for a winning percentage of .525. From 2000 to 2009, Northern Illinois posted a 68-53 record (.562) with eight winning campaigns, the best mark among any of the three NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams in Illinois.
Ten-Win Teams
Northern Illinois is one of only 18 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country that can win 10 games in the regular season in 2010. Of that group, NIU is the ONLY school which will have played only five home games this season. The Huskies are one of six teams from a non-automatic qualifying conference that can get to 10 wins before a championship game, joining Boise State, Nevada, TCU, Utah and Hawai'i. Eleven teams already have 10 wins on the year.
High-Scoring
NIU has put together two of the highest-scoring games in school history in its last two games with the 65-point total versus Toledo on Nov. 9 the fifth-most scored by the Huskies all-time, while the 59-point outburst at Ball State tied for the 10th-highest total in school history. In 108 seasons of Northern Illinois football, that is the most points scored in back-to-back games in school history. The last time NIU recorded two of its highest scoring games in one SEASON was in 1921 with 91 points versus Elmhurst (Nov. 5) and 64 versus Mount Morris (Oct. 22). The 2000 Huskies scored 52 points against Akron (Oct. 14) and 73 two weeks later (Oct. 28 vs. Buffalo), while the 1963 squad opened the year with 55 and 61 points in back-to-back games to open the season.
Another Week, Another Win, Another Honor
For the ninth straight week, a Northern Illinois player was honored by the Mid-American Conference with one of the league's MAC West Player of the Week Awards. Linebacker Jordan Delegal became the seventh different Huskie to earn the POTW honor and his selection marked the fourth time that NIU has won the Specialist of the Week award. Quarterback Chandler Harnish has been honored three times and Chad Spann once to account for the four Offensive Player of the Week awards, while Tyrone Clark and Jake Coffman have picked up Defensive Player accolades. Jimmie Ward is the only other multiple honoree after his exploits on the punt block unit, while punter Josh Wilber started the streak for his performance at Illinois.
Exception to the Trend
In three seasons under Jerry Kill, the Huskies are a perfect 20-0 when they rush for 200 or more yards in a game, including an 8-0 mark in 2010. However, against Ball State, that trend has not held. In two games versus the Cardinals over the last two years, NIU has failed to reach the 200-yard rushing mark, yet still won the games. Strangely, those are the only two games that Northern Illinois has won when rushing for less than 200 yards as NIU is 2-15 over the last three years in those contests.
The Block Goes On
Northern Illinois set a pair of school records versus Ball State as the Huskies blocked a school record three punts in the game. Jordan Delegal, who was named MAC West Specialist of the Week, blocked two punts, the first of which was returned by Jimmie Ward for a NIU touchdown. Ricky Crider earned the other punt block at Ball State. Added to the three punts already blocked by Ward this year, Northern Illinois also broke the school record for blocked punts in a season with six. The Huskies have now blocked 12 punts in three seasons under Kill with five in 2008 and one last year added to this year's total.
A-Ward Winning
True freshman Jimmie Ward has had a huge impact on the 2010 season in his role on the Huskie punt block/punt return team. Ward has blocked a school-record three punts this year (versus Central Michigan, Minnesota and Buffalo), picking up two MAC Specialist of the Week honors along the way. Against Ball State, Ward scored the first touchdown of his Northern Illinois career as he recovered Jordan Delegal's blocked punt and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown to give NIU a 14-0 lead. The Mobile, Ala. native is the first NIU true freshman to earn two MAC Player of the Week honors in the same season since 2004 when kicker Chris Nendick was a two-time honoree.
Seniors Saluted
Northern Illinois' 2010 senior class includes 10 defenders, eight offensive players and three specialists. Fifteen of NIU's 21 seniors are from Illinois (10) and the neighboring states of Indiana (2), Missouri (2) and Wisconsin (1) with the other eight from points east (Washington, D.C.), west (California and Arizona) and south (Florida). NIU boasts 13 senior starters in 2010 and in all, these 21 players have combined to make 263 starts.
Interception Artist
NIU sophomore Tyrone Clark picked off his team-leading fourth pass of the season Saturday at Ball State and it was his prettiest pick to date, a one-handed grab that he returned 16 yards for his first career touchdown. Clark has four interceptions in 2010, the most by a Huskie in a single season since Lionel Hickenbottom picked off five passes in 2004. In addition to the INT versus Ball State, Clark had two interceptions in the Central Michigan game and one against Iowa State.
Pickoff Party
With Clark's interception at Ball State, the Northern Illinois defense has picked off at least one pass in 10 of the team's 11 games so far this year. NIU ranks tied for 12th in the country in interceptions with 16. This season's total is the most by an NIU defense since 2003, when the Huskies intercepted 23 passes over 12 games. In addition to Clark, Chris Smith (three) and Rashaan Melvin (two) have made multiple interceptions this year. Overall, 10 different Huskies have intercepted passes. Northern Illinois' four interceptions against CMU was the highest single-game total since Nov. 20, 2004 when the Huskies picked off five passes versus Eastern Michigan.
Turnover Talk
Northern Illinois has won or tied the turnover battle in 10 of its 11 games so far in 2010 and is 9-1 in those games. The Toledo game was Northern Illinois' third turnover-free game of the year (CMU, Minnesota), and the Huskies caused a season-high five turnovers in the win over Central Michigan. Last week, NIU committed a pair of turnovers while forcing three and the Huskies are now a perfect 7-0 in the games when it has won the turnover battle (versus North Dakota, Minnesota, Akron, CMU, Toledo and Ball State) and is 2-1 in the three games when the turnovers were even, with wins over Temple and Buffalo and a loss to Iowa State.
Successful Conversions
The Huskies continue to enjoy success on third down and rank fifth in the country in third down conversion percentage with a 52.78 mark, behind only Stanford, Nevada, Auburn and TCU. Northern Illinois has not finished a season with a third down conversion percentage over 50 percent since at least 1988 (research is ongoing) with the high-point coming in 1989 (49.7 percent). In the last 10 seasons, Northern Illinois' best third down conversion percentage was 43.3 in 2008; the Huskies nearly matched that mark last year with a 43.2 mark. NIU has converted 50 percent or more of its third down tries in eight of 11 games, topped by a 71.4 conversion percentage (10-of-14) versus Akron. Northern Illinois also posted a third-down conversion percentage of 66.7 percent versus WMU and Toledo.
Happy at Home
The win over Toledo was Northern Illinois' ninth-straight at Huskie Stadium dating back to the 2009 loss to Idaho on Sept. 26. NIU has won eight straight MAC games in DeKalb dating back to the Huskies' last league game of 2008. Under Jerry Kill, Northern Illinois is 14-3 on Brigham Field, including a perfect 5-0 mark in 2010.
Talking Toledo
Chandler Harnish directed a Huskie offense that gained 422 rushing yards and 584 total yards while scoring eight touchdowns as Northern Illinois dominated the visiting Toledo Rockets 65-30 Nov. 9 in a battle of unbeaten MAC teams. Harnish rushed for 149 yards on 13 carries to lead the Huskie attack but NIU also got an 83-yard kickoff return score from Tommy Davis, and runs of 55 and 50 yards by Jasmin Hopkins and Akeem Daniels, respectively. Chad Spann scored three rushing TDs, Daniels scored twice and the NIU defense shut out the Rockets in the first half.
QB Times Three
Following his 149-yard rushing and 162-yard passing day versus Toledo, Chandler Harnish earned the MAC West Offensive Player of the Week Award for the third time this season. Harnish becomes the first QUARTERBACK in Northern Illinois history to win the honor three times in one season. Harnish also picked up back-to-back MAC West weekly honors following the Akron (10-2) and Temple (10-9) games earlier this season. Versus Toledo, Harnish totaled 311 yards of total offense and recorded a career-long 69-yard rush.
Totally Offensive
In 10 games as the Huskies' starting quarterback, junior Chandler Harnish has rushed for 729 yards on 116 carries with five touchdowns and passed for 1,848 yards on 145-of-229 passing with 15 touchdowns and five interceptions. Harnish's 2,577 yards of total offense ranks second on the Northern Illinois charts for a single season, trailing only NIU all-time great George Bork, who owns the record with 2,945 yards in 1963. Harnish is also challenging Phil Horvath's single season record for yards per play with a 7.56 mark going into the EMU game.
The Definition of Efficiency
Junior Chandler Harnish leads the Mid-American Conference and ranks 20th in the country in passing efficiency with a rating of 152.77. He has thrown a career-high 15 touchdowns and his 66.2 percent (149-of-225) completion percentage is the highest of his career.
Moving On Up
In his third season as the Huskies' starting QB, junior Chandler Harnish continues to climb the NIU career charts. Harnish's 5,046 career passing yards rank fourth on the Northern Illinois charts as do his 410 completions. His career completion percentage (.622) is third. Harnish's 34 touchdown passes and 45 touchdowns reponsible for all-time put him eighth on the Huskie lists. The Indiana native ranks second all-time at NIU in total offense with 6,543 yards as he passed College Football Hall of Famer George Bork on the list at Ball State and now needs only 236 yards to become the Northern Illinois all-time leader.
Harnish Racing
Chandler Harnish has rushed for a career-high 729 yards on 116 carries for a 6.3-yard average in 2010 and ranks fourth in the MAC in rushing. He had a career-long 69-yard run versus Toledo and has scored on runs of 37 (vs. Illinois) and 40 (vs. North Dakota) yards. Harnish has five career 100-yard rushing games with three this season. He rushed for a career-high 178 yards against North Dakota. With 117 yards on 11 carries at Illinois, Harnish passed the 1,000-yard mark in career rushing; he now has 1,497 yards on 323 attempts to rank 25th on NIU's all-time list. He is the third Huskie quarterback to gain 1,000 rushing yards, joining Stacey Robinson (2,727 yards) and Marshall Taylor (1,971).
The Indiana Connection
Junior wide receiver Nathan Palmer is enjoying the best, and most consistent year, of his career and the connection between he and quarterback Chandler Harnish has paid dividends for the Huskies, especially in the last three games. Palmer and fellow Indiana native Harnish, who came to Northern Illinois in the same signing class in 2007, have connected on touchdown passes of nine (Western Michigan), 33 (Toledo), 37 and 47 (Ball State) yards. Palmer leads NIU with six receiving touchdowns to total the most scores by a Huskie receiver since Sam Hurd caught 13 touchdown passes in 2005.
Sure-Handed
One key to Northern Illinois' success in 2010 has been its ability to hold onto the football. Northern Illinois is tied for ninth in the country in fewest fumbles lost with just five on the year. NIU saw its streak of four straight games without a fumble lost snapped in the first quarter at Ball State. Prior to that, the Huskies' went 259 carries between fumbles, since Chad Spann lost the ball on the very first carry of the Temple game.
The Spann-Zone
For the second straight week, NIU senior tailback Chad Spann scored three rushing touchdowns to up his season total to 18. Spann has scored three rushing touchdowns in three of the Huskies' last games. He leads the MAC and rank tied for eighth in the country in scoring and has scored at least one touchdown in each of the Huskies' last 10 games, a feat all-time TDs leader Garrett Wolfe never accomplished. Spann also has one rushing score or more in 16 of NIU's last 18 games dating back to last year's Miami game (Oct. 24). With 45 rushing touchdowns, he passed Michael Turner to take over second place on the Huskies' career list and he ranks third all-time in total TDs behind only Garrett Wolfe and Turner.
Watching C-Spann
Chad Spann remains atop the MAC rushing list and his 104.7 yards per game average ranks 18th in the country. Spann's 2,679 career rushing yards rank ninth all-time at NIU. He tallied a career-best 223 yards on 15 carries at Minnesota (Sept. 25) with runs of 61, 56 and 33 yards, to win Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week honors. He averaged 14.9 yards per carry in the game. Spann's other 100-yard games this year have come versus North Dakota (140), Temple (100), Buffalo (111), Central Michigan (101) and Western Michigan (146).
Thousand-Yard Huskies
With 146 yards at Western Michigan, Chad Spann hit the 1,000-yard mark for the second consecutive season and became Northern Illinois' first back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher since Garrett Wolfe in 2005 and 2006. Spann has 1,151 yards on 219 carries this year, his career highs in both categories. Northern Illinois has now had a 1,000-yard rusher in 11 of the last 12 years dating back to 1999; Spann's 1,000-yard season is the 23rd in Huskie football history.
Second-Half Huskies
When Western Michigan scored a fourth-quarter touchdown to take a 21-20 lead on NIU, it marked the first touchdown given up by the Huskie defense in the second half of a game since the Akron game on Oct. 2. Toledo then became the first Northern Illinois opponent to score MORE THAN one touchdown in the second half of a game this year. Despite the Rockets' 30-point second-half, NIU has outscored its opponents by 102 points in the second half this year, 200-98.
Rushing Rankings
Northern Illinois has 2,806 rushing yards on the year to rank 11th in the country in rushing offense. The total ranks as the sixth-best rushing season in school history, and the Huskies are averaging 5.8 yards per rush. Northern Illinois' rushing average is 75 yards per game more than the MAC's No. 2 team, Ohio.
Offensive Explosion
Northern Illinois exploded for 65 points, 422 rushing yards and 584 yards of total offense in its win over Toledo. The 65 points were the fifth-most in school history, the second-highest total ever in a Mid-American Conference game and the most since Northern Illinois scored 73 points in a win over Buffalo on Oct. 28, 2000. The Huskies' 37 second-half points tied for the seventh-most overall and fourth-most in a MAC game while the 28 third-quarter points tied for the second highest total for a quarter versus the MAC. In addition, NIU's nine total touchdowns ranks third all-time. Northern Illinois surpassed the 500-yard mark in total offense for the second time this season en route to the ninth-highest yardage total in school history and most since the 2006 Ball State game (610). The Huskies' 422 rushing yards also ranks as the 11th-best rushing game at Northern Illinois and is the most rushing yards for an NIU team in 15 years, since the 1995 squad had 426 yards on Nov. 11 versus Arkansas State.
Going Long
The Huskies scored five of their nine touchdowns versus Toledo on plays of 25 yards or longer with only one the first of those scores - a 33-yard strike from Chandler Harnish to Nathan Palmer - coming via the pass. NIU got touchdown runs of 28, 50 and 55 yards from Harnish, Akeem Daniels and Jasmin Hopkins as five players rushed for 40 or more yards in the game. Tommy Davis accounted for the other long touchdown play with an 83-yard kickoff return score.
Fearless Freshmen
When the all freshman duo of quarterback Jordan Lynch and wide out Akeem Daniels take the field in NIU's version of the popular "Wildcat" package, opponents had better not take a break. All Daniels - the younger brother of senior cornerback Kiaree Daniels - has done is score three touchdowns on 10 touches (eight rushes and two catches), while Lynch's contributions include a 90-yard touchdown run versus Buffalo and an 8.4-yard rushing average (194 yards on 24 carries). Lynch's run stands as the fourth-longest in school history, the longest ever by an NIU quarterback and the longest since LeShon Johnson had a 92-yard carry versus Southern Illinois (Oct. 2, 1993). He threw his first career touchdown pass - a two-yard toss to Kyle Skarb - at Ball State. Daniels' three TDs have come on runs of 12 and 50 yards versus Toledo and nine yards against Temple.
Top of His Game
Senior noseguard Mike Krause is quietly putting together the best season of his Huskie career. The senior, who was sidelined by a heart condition in 2009, established new career highs with five tackles and two tackles for loss in the Toledo game and his season totals now stand at a career-best 22 stops and four TFLs. NIU coaches have named Krause Northern Illinois' defensive lineman of the week three times this year, including versus Toledo and Western Michigan.
Coffman Saves the Day
Defensive end Jake Coffman was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week after recording four tackles and an interception in NIU's 28-21 victory over Western Michigan. Coffman's second career interception, and first of the season, came on the Huskie 12-yard line with the Broncos driving for the game-tying score. Coffman leads NIU in tackles for loss with eight and is tied with Sean Progar for the team lead in sacks with 3.5.
Return Record
Huskie sophomore Tommy Davis tied the Northern Illinois career record for kickoff return touchdowns with an 83-yard return for a score to close out the crazy third quarter of the NIU-Toledo game. Davis' kickoff return touchdown was the second of his career, tying him with Michael Turner (2000-03) and John Spilis (1966-68) for the NIU record. Davis, who was not touched en route to the end zone, ranks fifth all-time at NIU in kickoff returns and is fourth in kickoff return yards.
Hidden Gems
Jerry Kill has continued a long-time NIU tradition of turning non-scholarship players into contributors and even starters. Five Huskie starters -- Chad Spann (TB), Joe Pawlak (OG), Jason Schepler (TE), Jake Coffman (DE) and Sean Progar (DE) -- and 11 players on NIU's current depth chart originally came to Northern Illinois as walk-ons. Key contributors Willie Clark (WR), Connor Flahive (FB), Jack Marks (TE) and Rashaan Melvin (CB) are also former walk-ons as are specialists Michael Cklamovski (K) and Ryan Neir (P).
Kiel Honored
NIU junior offensive lineman Adam Kiel is one of only 11 players from an NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program to be named to the 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. He is the second Huskie to earn the honor in the last three years, joining 2008 honoree Matt Simon. The team is selected by a voting panel of former honorees, coaches and media members, and honors players who demonstrate outstanding commitment to service and volunteerism. The team will be introduced on the field at halftime of the Allstate Sugar Bowl and spend two days in New Orleans. Kiel participated in 11 different activities over the past year, and also coordinated many of the team's community service efforts. He serves as Vice-President of NIU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Some Love for the Line
With three new starters in 2010, the Huskie offensive line was a question mark coming into the season, but Matt Limegrover's charges have more than passed the test so far. NIU ranks first in the MAC and tied for 11th in the country in fewest sacks allowed, having given up 10 in 11 games for an average of 0.91 per game, while also powering the top rushing offense in the league. Northern Illinois backs have nine 100-plus yard efforts so far while running behind tackles Trevor Olson and Keith Otis, guards Logan Pegram, Ed Jackson and Joe Pawlak and center Scott Wedige. Otis, the combination of Pegram and Jackson, and Wedige are all first-time starters in 2010, while Olson has started all 37 games of his NIU career. Pawlak, a former walk-on, is a two-year starter who is playing his best football in 2010.
Here's the Kicker
NIU senior kicker Michael Cklamovski had never tried a field goal in a collegiate game prior to this year. Now, the University of Illinois graduate, former Illini kickoff man and current NIU law student is second in the Mid-American Conference with 14 field goals - an average of 1.27 per game. Cklamovski has scored 83 points on the year with 41 PATs and at least one field goal in eight of the Huskies' last nine games. He made seven straight field goals, beginning with his first ever college "make" - a career-long 48-yarder - versus his former team. In addition, 24 of Cklamovski's 78 kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks.
Team D
One key to Northern Illinois' defensive success so far in 2010 is depth. NIU is regularly playing 10 defensive linemen, five linebackers and seven defensive backs. No Huskies are ranked in the Top 35 in tackles in the Mid-American Conference, and there are not any NIU names in the league's top 10 for quarterback sacks, tackles for loss or fumbles forced. Twenty Huskie defenders have at least 10 tackles, 25 have been in on a tackle for loss, 12 have sacks and 10 different players have intercepted passes.
Coffman Comes Back
One of the top recruits for NIU Head Coach Jerry Kill heading into this season was not a newcomer at all. After announcing his "retirement" from college football following the 2010 International Bowl, defensive end Jake Coffman came to Kill in May and asked if he could return. He completed his bachelor's degree in the spring, but with the encouragement of his dad, decided to return to "finish" what he had started with the Huskie football team. The 26-year-old Marine Corps veteran brings, experience, leadership and proven credentials to the defensive line. He led the team with 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and five pass break ups to earn all-MAC honors as a junior and is again among the Huskie team leaders in both sacks and tackles for loss in 2010.
Rehab Results
Senior safety Mike Sobol returned to the field for the season opener versus Iowa State, just four months after surgery to repair a torn left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Sobol was allowed to practice on a limited basis 3 1/2 months after surgery and was given the "full go" two weeks later. He came back nearly two months sooner than normal after averaging two-plus hours of rehab per day. Sobol has started eight games at strong safety and ranks tied for sixth on the team with 32 tackles.
Preseason Predictions
Northern Illinois was a popular choice to win the MAC West Division by the pollsters this preseason as the Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll, USA Today, Athlon, Sporting News, CBS Sports.com, and Sports Illustrated, among others, tabbed the Huskies as the MAC West favorites. The last time NIU was picked to win the West was in 2006 prior to Garrett Wolfe's senior season. Earlier this year, the Huskies were also named as one of the top 50 teams in the country by Sporting News and Phil Steele's Magazine.
Unstoppable
The Northern Illinois offense fit that description at Akron as the NIU offense scored on EIGHT straight possessions (in which it ran a play) and did not punt until less than seven minutes remained in the game. The Huskies' first three drives each resulted in field goals, while the next five ended in the end zone. The possessions do not include Tommy Davis' muffed punt in the first quarter, as the Huskies did not run an offensive play following the Akron recovery, while one of NIU's TDs came on Devon Butler's 26-yard INT return.
Dashing Versus Dakota
In his first start of 2010, NIU junior quarterback Chandler Harnish ran like he never had before. Versus North Dakota, Harnish rushed for a career-best 178 yards on 21 carries to compile the most rushing yards by a Northern Illinois quarterback since Huskie great Stacey Robinson ran for 308 yards versus Fresno State on Oct. 8, 1990. Robinson and Marshall Taylor are the only Northern Illinois quarterbacks to run for more yards in a game.
Four Threes
Michael Cklamovski put his name in the Northern Illinois single-game record book by making four field goals in six attempts versus Central Michigan. The four field goals made tied for the third-highest total in school history, while the six attempts tied for the second-most in a game. Cklamovski made field goals of 25, 21, 24 and 19 yards. The last NIU kicker to try or make more field goals in a game was Chris Nendick, who went five-of-seven on threes versus Temple in 2006. Cklamovski's 15 points in that game is tied for the seventh-highest total in Huskie history.
Non-Conference Review
NIU wrapped up its 2010 non-conference schedule in September as the Huskies started the season with four straight non-conference games for the second straight year. Northern Illinois finished its non-league slate with a 2-2 record for the second straight season. The Huskies lost to Iowa State and Illinois while defeating Minnesota and North Dakota in this year's non-conference match-ups. Under Jerry Kill, NIU is 5-7 in non-conference games over the last three years, with three of the losses by four points or less.
Coaching Continuity
One secret to Kill's success has been the continuity on his coaching staff. His two coordinators - Tracy Claeys on defense and Matt Limegrover on offense - have been with Kill for 14 and 10 years, respectively, and the nine full-time assistant coaches average nine years with Kill. Add Director of Sports Performance Eric Klein, who qualifies as Kill's longest-tenured assistant, and the average jumps to 9.7. Kill brought seven of his assistant coaches and Klein from Southern Illinois, with defensive line coach Jeff Phelps now the only holdover from Joe Novak's staff.
Coach Z
Kill was thrilled to add Division III Offensive Coordinator of the Year Jim Zebrowski to the staff as the Huskies' quarterbacks coach when an opening came up on the staff last February. Zebrowski, who most recently won a pair of NCAA Division III national championships as the offensive coordinator at Wisconsin-Whitewater, and Kill have known each other since the latter arrived at Southern Illinois, although Zebrowski left the school before Kill arrived. With Zebrowski's arrival as quarterbacks coach, Pat Poore has moved over to tutor the NIU wide receivers in 2010.
Follow the Leaders
Prior to the 2010 season opener, Northern Illinois Head Coach Jerry Kill introduced the Huskies' 2010 Leadership Council, the group of players selected to serve as liaisons for the players to the coaching staff and perform additional leadership functions. Members of the Leadership Council are: Jake Coffman (Sr., DE), Alex Kube (Sr., LB), Tracy Wilson (Jr., FS), Trevor Olson (Jr., OT), Ricky Crider (Sr., TB), Landon Cox (Sr., WR) and Jason Schepler (Jr., TE) along with all five Huskie quarterbacks. Players in this group will serve as team captains during the Huskies' games this season.
Teaming Up
Chandler Harnish and Chad Spann combined to rush for 318 yards on 42 carries versus North Dakota to record the fifth-highest two-back total in school history. It was the most yards by a Northern Illinois duo in 15 years, since Charles Talley and Scott Florence went for a school-record 357 rushing yards in 1995.
Academic Achievement
NIU Head Coach Jerry Kill is proud of the academic accomplishments of his team, topped by the 50 football players who have earned their bachelor's degrees in the past two years under Kill. The football team's Academic Progress Rate (APR), the instrument used by the NCAA to measure the eligibility, retention and graduation of student-athletes, ranks tied for 10th in the country among NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools. NIU's 975 APR put it in elite company with schools like Air Force, Rice, Duke, Vanderbilt and Stanford.
Huskies in the NFL
As of Saturday, Sept. 4, there were six Huskies listed on NFL active rosters. The group is led by 2008 NIU senior Larry English, who became the highest NFL Draft choice in school history when he was selected with the 16th pick of the first round by the San Diego Chargers. English, who is currently injured, is in his second season in the league in 2010. He is joined in the pro ranks by running backs Garrett Wolfe (Chicago Bears) and Michael Turner (Atlanta Falcons), offensive linemen Ryan Diem (Indianapolis Colts) and Doug Free (Dallas Cowboys), and receiver Sam Hurd (Dallas Cowboys). In addition, fullback/tight end Jake Nordin is on injured reserve for the Lions.
