2015 NIU Football Camp Central

Throughout fall camp, NIUHuskies.com will preview every position on the 2015 Northern Illinois University football team, continuing today with the kickers, punters and specialists. Thursday's positional focus will be the defensive line.

DeKALB, Ill. – Every football coach will say that in order for a team to be successful, it must excel in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams. And while the offensive and defensive units usually get the most attention, a great tackle, blocked kick or booming punt on special teams can alter a game or even a season.

For the Northern Illinois University football team, the special teams positions boast a mixture of experience and youth, with depth, competition for places and unit camaraderie all helping the Huskie specialists prepare for the season during the team’s 2015 training camp.

Craig Harmon, entering his second season at NIU as the full backs and tight ends coach, has also taken on the role as the Huskies’ special teams coordinator this year. He says it’s the minute details that can make all the difference in the crucially important third phase of football.

“Special teams is all about paying close attention to the little things – just like on offense and defense,” Harmon said after Tuesday’s practice. “It’s so important to know your role when you’re out there, and that’s what we work on coaching the guys every day at practice.”

With starting spots up for grabs on special teams, Coach Harmon has also been impressed with the work ethic and competitiveness of the players battling for playing time.

“The guys are competing and working their butts off every single day. They’re getting better each and every day. It’s been a pleasure to work with them,” he added.

Christian Hagan (Omaha, Neb./Eastside) returns for his sophomore season after successfully earning the NIU starting placekicker role towards the end of last season. He converted nine field goals and all 23 of his extra-point attempts – all in the final six games of the 2014 campaign.

Hagan, who made three field goals in NIU’s 51-17 victory over Bowling Green in last year’s Mid-American Conference Championship Game, likes the comfort the kicking game specialists have together.

“It’s been going really well for us in practice,” said Hagan, whose kicks held by returning holder Chad Beebe (Aurora, Ill./Aurora Christian) helped the Huskies win the MAC West for a fifth consecutive time last season. “I feel like our field-goal unit has really good rhythm and tempo. All of our special teams units have a lot of confidence right now.”

Josh Orne (Delafield, Wis./Kettle Moraine) is also back for the NIU kicking game after serving as the team’s primary kickoff specialist last season, tallying an impressive 58.4 yards per kick and 11 touchbacks in that role. And fellow junior Bobby Ramlet (Appleton, Wis./Xavier) appears set to begin his first season as the Huskies’ starting long snapper, with freshman Hayden Sak (Aurora, Ill./West Aurora) providing depth at that position.

But the primary special teams positional battle that has garnered the most attention, with NIU head coach Rod Carey calling it one of his most anticipated battles coming into training camp, is the competition to be the starting punter. And two weeks into camp, junior college transfer Jacob Ambrose (Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor/Orange Coast JC) appears to have the edge, with Coach Carey praising his displays throughout camp, but redshirt freshman Peter Deppe (Almont, Mich./Almont) has been working hard to push him each day in practice.

Whoever wins the NIU punting job will have to replace the graduated Tyler Wedel, who thrived in his role last season by averaging 41.7 yards per punt with 29 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line – incredibly without a single touchback.

With NIU’s competitive corps of special teams players practicing their placekicking, long snapping, punting and much finer crafts of their role every day at practice, the Huskies are working hard to ensure that the 2015 season sees NIU excel in the phase of game that puts points on the board, decides field position and can swing momentum in a single play: special teams.

Practice Notes

The Huskies worked outside at Huskie Stadium for 16 periods on Tuesday afternoon on a cloudy and windy day in DeKalb, finishing just before thunderstorms approached the area.

With less than three weeks left until NIU opens the season by welcoming UNLV to Huskie Stadium on Sept. 5, the Huskies began practice with stretching and special teams work before breaking off into positional drills. NIU then finished the work out with some offense versus defense plays, with the defensive side of the ball impressing.

NIUHuskies.com's 2015 Camp Central is your place for all the news and updates on the NIU Football team's preparations for the 2015 season. There you'll find practice updates, position previews, video interviews and highlights as well as practice schedule changes and more all throughout camp.

NIU Football 2015 season tickets are still on sale and remain the best value in Chicagoland. Season ticket prices begin for as little as $99, a 61 percent discount off the single game price. Other ticket options include two different three-game mini-plans for just $75, the new Huskie Family Pack, which includes four season tickets in sections A, B, F or G of Huskie Stadium for just $299 or the Young Alumni Ticket, with two East Side season tickets for $115 for all 2014-15 NIU graduates. Faculty and staff, senior citizens (62 and over) and NIU Alumni Association members can purchase season tickets for just $115.

In addition to the Seats for Soldiers program for donated tickets, single game, three-game mini-plan and group tickets are on sale now. Check out the 50th Anniversary ticket special presented by Hy-Vee offering tickets in section A and G on the West Side of Huskie Stadium for $19.65 each. These tickets are available for purchase online only by using the promo code "1965" CLICK HERE to order.

To become an NIU season ticket holder or to purchase mini-plans, the Family Pack or single game tickets, go online anytime to NIUHuskies.com/tickets or call 815-753-PACK (7225) Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Or check out the premium areas available for 2015, including bench back seating, the Coaches' Club or the new End Zone Club! The Huskies' newest premium area is located at field level, just outside of the South End Zone and provides fans with a completely unique view of the action, as well as food and beverages. For more information, go to huskieathleticfund.com.

--NIU--