Aug. 21, 2014

DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University football team closed out preseason camp Thursday with a 90-minute workout at Huskie Stadium in shorts and helmets.

One week from the season opener versus Presbyterian on August 28th, NIU Head Coach Rod Carey and his staff conducted a "mock game" practice, although no passes were thrown or tackles made. Instead, the team went through a game-day scenario, beginning with the pre-game warm-ups and continuing with the entrance onto the field.

Then, each special teams unit, as well as the first and second team offense and defense, took the field at game speed, and practiced gathering in the proper place on the sideline. The team even went into the locker room at "halftime."

The practice closed out an intense 20 days of practices and meetings for the 2014 Huskies. Carey was pleased with what he and his staff discovered about this year's NIU squad.

"We learned that we can push them," Carey said. "We learned that we can be a good team, but we have to pay attention to everything, not just some things, and we have to bring our focus."

The Huskies return nine of 11 starters on offense, notably four of five offensive linemen and top two receivers, but must replace five starters on defense, including the entire defensive line. Despite a preponderance of youth on the defensive side of the ball, Carey listed the defense's development as one of his favorite aspects of fall camp.

"I'm surprised with how far the defense has come," Carey said. "We had question marks there, and still do, but we had some guys come into their own, and the defensive line has really stepped up."

Another development during camp was the emergence of a leadership group among the senior class. Carey knows that, as with all teams, the Huskies must be able to rely on their seniors.

"I am really happy with the leadership," said the second-year head coach. "Some guys stepped up that I really wasn't expecting and it's good to see. I'm really happy with the seniors as a whole this camp and all summer too."

NIU will have Friday off before returning to the practice field Saturday to begin game-week preparations for Presbyterian. The Huskies will also practice Sunday and take Monday, the first day of classes at NIU for the semester, off.

Season tickets for NIU home games, as well as single game tickets, are on sale now through the NIU Athletics Ticket Office, online at www.NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225) during regular business hours. Season tickets provide a substantial savings over single-game tickets and provide the same ticket location for every game.

Fans are also encouraged to join fellow Huskie fans, Huskie student-athletes and Huskie legends in The Yard, the new official pregame tailgate of NIU Athletics. Located on the west lawn of Huskie Stadium, The Yard opens 2 ½ hours before game time and will offer food for purchase, a beer garden, Kids' Zone, large screen television, live bands and more.

The NIU-Presbyterian game is the Huskies' Corn Fest game and the team will wear special jerseys which are being auctioned off to benefit three local charitable groups. For more information on the Corn Fest jersey auction and to see an illustration of the jersey click here or bid on a jersey at www.cornfest.com between now and September 5th.

-- NIU --

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