April 6, 2015

Huskie Bowl Complete Rosters 
Huskie Bowl Information and Events

DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University football team held its annual Huskie Bowl Draft on Wenesday, April 1 as the team was split into Cardinal and Black squads in advance of Huskie Bowl III, set for Saturday, April 11th at 2 p.m. at Huskie Stadium.

Head coaches Joe Tripodi (Black) and Kelvin Sigler (Cardinal) and their respective coaching and "personnel" staffs strategically made their choices during a raucous team meeting. A small portion of this week's two pre-Huskie Bowl practices will allow the teams to "practice" separately in preparation for Saturday's competition.

This year marks the third season the NIU team has been split up for the Huskie Bowl and Tripodi, the Huskies' offensive line coach, returns to lead the Black Team for the third time. Last year the team was forced by injuries to severely shorten the scrimmage periods which turned the Huskie Bowl into a team competition featuring points awarded for skills. Tripodi is happy to see the scrimmage format back for this season.

"Last year, coach Sigler and I were ready to go, but it got changed up at the last minute and [the Huskie Bowl] lost a bit of its luster, so to speak," Tripodi said. "The first year was a lot of fun. Even when you look at the staff members, (wide receivers) coach (Thad) Ward takes the draft seriously, so it's exciting."

Sigler, NIU's cornerbacks coach whose only previous Huskie Bowl experience was last year's event, said the competition brings a little more juice to the final week of spring football but the focus remains on improving every day.

"The players and coaches are very excited," Sigler said. "We've been competing all spring, trying to get better. Now we get to have a little fun for the spring game, but we still want to go out there and take care of business, play as a team, play with technique and just continue to get better."

Junior offensive tackle Levon Myers was the first player selected in the draft, which was directed by "Commissioner" Brad Ohrt, the Huskies' Director of Sports Performance. Tripodi and his staff went to the defensive line side and selected sophomore defensive tackle William Lee with their first pick. Each succeeding selection then joined their coaching staff to help pick the remainder of their team, leading to a loud and fun atmosphere in the McCareins Auditorium.

"The players get into the draft too," Tripodi said. "Once the team starts to split up, and guys get picked to each team, they get into it, helping with the draft. That's really the exciting part of the process. [The week of the Huskie Bowl], there will be a lot of chirping in the building, which is fun. The biggest thing for these guys is pride. They get after each other. It's fun."

Sigler said it is obvious by the player's involvement in the draft that each team is out to win.

"The draft is a really good thing," he said. "The kids get involved drafting players to the team. They are all competitive and want to win. I think the draft brings a little spice to the game."

In addition to Myers, the Cardinal team snagged his offensive line mates Andrew Ness and Josh Ruka, as well as tight ends Desroy Maxwell and Shane Wimann. Quarterbacks Matt McIntosh and Ryan Graham will lead the Cardinal offense, while Sigler also picked up All-MAC cornerback Paris Logan and linebackers Sean Folliard and Jamaal Payton.

Tripodi's Black squad features quarterbacks Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie, as well as NIU's leading returning pass catcher from a year ago, Aregeros Turner, and the two most experienced running backs on the current roster in Keith Harris Jr. and Draco Smith. Joining Lee on the Black defense are 2014 starters Marlon Moore (safety) and Boomer Mays (linebacker).

Although everyone was chosen - even several injured players who will not see action - NIU head coach Rod Carey said that some players may see time on both teams.

The Huskie Bowl, which will pit the Cardinal versus the Black teams, kicks off at 2 p.m. (CDT) on Saturday, April 11 at Huskie Stadium. A full schedule of free, family-friendly activities begins at Noon with the Communiversity Block Party (Noon-2 p.m.) on the West Side of Huskie Stadium. Enjoy the views and light snacks as you check out the Premium Areas Open House (1-3:30 p.m.), while kids 12-and-under are invited to Stretch with the Huskies on the field before practice. Following the scrimmage, Meet the Huskies and get autographs on the field. Be sure to RENEW your Huskie Athletic Fund commitment to be invited to the exclusive Post-game Donor Reception. For more on the full slate of Huskie Bowl activities, click here.

Season tickets for all six 2015 NIU home games are now on sale online at NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225). Huskie Football season tickets remain the best value in Chicagoland with the entire six game season available for prices starting at just $99, a 61 percent discount off the single game price. Faculty and staff, senior citizens (62 and over) and NIU Alumni Association members can purchase season tickets for just $115. The Huskies are also offering two different three-game mini-plans in 2015 for just $75, and the new Huskie Family Pack, which includes four season tickets for just $299 in sections A, B, F or G of Huskie Stadium. Click here to renew or buy your tickets before April 11 to get the best seat and parking locations in 2015.

-- NIU --

Twitter: @NIUAthletics
Facebook: NIU Huskies
Instagram: niuhuskies