Aug. 22, 2015

NIU Camp Central

DeKALB, Ill. – Two weeks before the Northern Illinois University Huskies take the field for the 2015 season opener versus UNLV at Huskie Stadium, NIU Head Coach Rod Carey put the Huskies through a 90-minute full pads scrimmage Saturday morning with the Huskie offense enjoying the upper hand through much of the work out.

While “training camp” practices officially will continue through next Saturday when NIU will hold its mock game, Saturday’s scrimmage was the final practice before classes begin at NIU Monday and the final major scrimmage of the preseason. Many of NIU’s starters participated in only part of the work out and Carey said that was by design.

“Everyone got the reps we wanted them to get,” Carey said. “We got our work in. The guys came out and competed. We’re getting better on both sides of the ball. It was a good day.”

Through 17 practices, Carey said he is pleased with what the Huskies have accomplished so far this camp, but noted several areas where competition for playing time is still ongoing.

“You’re never where you want to be 100 percent of the time, we’re probably about where we should be,” Carey said. “We know a lot more about our team. We have a better feel for what we’re doing and what we can do. It’s been good to see [the development].

“The linebackers are in a battle. At defensive back, there are a lot of battles and on the offensive line, we have people there vying for playing time. I would say at offensive line, linebacker and defensive back, we have got a group of guys vying to be in there at one or two positions.”

With seniors Aidan Conlon (Flossmoor, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor HS) and Andrew Ness (O’Fallon, Mo./Christian Brothers College) on the sidelines much of the day, Carey and line coach Joe Tripodi used the scrimmage to further evaluate young linemen like tackle Max Scharping (Green Bay, Wis./Southwest HS), center Luke Shively (Tipton, Ind./Tipton HS), and guard Shane Evans (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge HS), all redshirt freshmen. Scharping has battled junior Lincoln Howard (Osceola, Wis./Osceola HS) for the starting right tackle position throughout the preseason.

Both the first and second team offensive lines were able to open holes on Saturday, and more often than not, it was freshmen running backs Marcus Jones (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice HS) and D.J. Brown (North Little Rock, Ark./North Little Rock HS) who ran through them. Jones led all rushers with 17 carries for 93 yards and a two-yard touchdown run on the day, while Brown gained 82 yards on 16 runs. Sophomore Jordan Huff (Mobile, Ala./St. Paul’s Episcopal HS), the only other running back to carry the ball with Joel Bouagnon (Aurora, Ill./Aurora Christian HS) taking the day off, picked up 37 yards on nine carries.

Carey said the running backs have made their mark this camp.

“The position group that has really made strides has been running back,” Carey said. “The two young guys [Jones and Brown] have really picked it up. They’ve earned more reps and done something with them. You add them along with Joel [Bouagnon], Keith [Harris, Jr.] and Jordan Huff, and I feel really, really good about the position.”

For the second straight Saturday scrimmage, Jones and Brown were able to gain yards against both the first and second team NIU defenses, and their contributions did not go unnoticed by the Huskies’ starting quarterback, Drew Hare (O’Fallon, Mo./Fort Zumwalt West HS).

“Being young, it’s sometimes hard to get in and get reps, but those guys know the offense and they are both doing a great job with protection too,” Hare said. “They are putting in a lot of work to get ready and it’s shown.

“Having running backs like Marcus and D.J., as well as Joel and Jordan, makes it a lot easier for me. I get to give them the ball and sit back and watch. It’s exciting every time they touch the ball, because you don’t know where it’s going to end up.”

Hare completed 10-of-18 passes for 145 yards during the scrimmage, including a 40-yard touchdown pass to junior Kenny Golladay (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita HS). Sophomore Christian Blake (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Cardinal Gibbons HS) caught three passes for 24 yards, while junior Clayton Glasper (Peoria, Ill./Richwoods HS) pulled down a 25-yard touchdown pass from back-up quarterback Anthony Maddie (Plainfield, Ill./Aurora Christian HS) to highlight the red zone section of the scrimmage.

NIU’s offense totaled four scores on the day with Maddie also recording a four-yard touchdown on the ground. The Huskie defense, meanwhile, forced the offense into field goal tries seven times with sophomore Christian Hagan (Omaha, Neb./Westside HS) making good on six of those, the longest from 43 yards out. Linebacker Boomer Mays (Lawrence, Kan./Eudora HS) recorded the lone turnover of the day with an interception off a pass tipped at the line of scrimmage.

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Huskie Stadium, NIU is offering special $19.65 pricing, presented by Hy-Vee, for all Huskie home football games this year. Purchase tickets in section A and G on the West Side of Huskie Stadium online for $19.65 each. These tickets are available for purchase at this special price online only by using the promo code “1965”. CLICK HERE to order now or go to NIUHuskies.com/tickets

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.

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.

Fans can also 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.

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