DeKALB - NIU's most exciting number on its roster might arguably be No. 19. You'll always see it on the field for the Huskies, on both offense and defense.
While the defense's No. 19,
Shawun Lurry, earned Consensus All-America honors last season after leading the nation in interceptions, the offense's No. 19 recorded the third-most receiving yards in a single season in NIU football history. Last month, he was named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List.
Senior wide receiver
Kenny Golladay burst onto the scene at Northern Illinois University in 2015 like many who had been around the program the previous year had expected. He was explosive.
After spending his first two seasons at North Dakota, combining for 99 receptions and 1,313 yards in two seasons and earning honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference accolades, Golladay transferred to NIU and redshirted in 2014.
The Chicago native earned Second Team All-Mid American Conference honors for the Huskies in 2015 as he caught 73 passes for 1,129 yards and 10 touchdowns.
So far this camp, Golladay has picked up where he left off last year as he has made several long touchdown receptions over the top of defensive backs for 30-plus yards, including two this afternoon during in a 30-minute team session.
It's easy to see the joy he has in catching the football, scoring touchdowns and doing it with the flair that he possesses. With an ear-to-ear grin and a non-linear explanation due to his excitement, Golladay described the joy of catching a long touchdown pass.
"There's nothing better than that long drive and catching a long pass and getting the offense off the field," said Golladay. "Everyone's dog tired and you just keep pushing and then you catch a 60-yard bomb to the end zone where everyone is laughing and congratulating you but more so (they're saying) 'let's get off the field and get some water.'"
With the frequency of Golladay's big plays on the practice field, the secret to his success he admitted, was the building of chemistry over the summer with his teammates.
"Outside of personal training like everyone does over the summer, Drew (Hare) and I did a lot of throwing with each other this year. Even the other quarterbacks in the group. We just did a lot of throwing and timing to get every route timed up this year. We just got that good chemistry going this summer Drew and I and that's something to get excited about," he added.
Golladay continued.
"Camp has been really fun, we have everyone back healthy and we've had a lot of big plays so it's been real exciting but it's going to be more exciting on Sept. 3 when we actually go against someone other than our own defense."
NIU opens the 2016 season Sept. 3 at Wyoming. Kickoff is set for 9:30 p.m. Central Time and the game can be seen on CBS Sports Network. NIU's home opener is scheduled for Sept. 17 when the Huskies welcome San Diego State to Huskie Stadium (2:30 p.m. CT/CBSSN).
Order or renew NIU football season tickets now and get the best pricing for all five Huskie Stadium home football games in 2016 and the historic Huskie Chi-Town Showdown game versus Toledo at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on November 9. All 2016 football season tickets include the Huskie Chi-Town Showdown game. To order season tickets, go online to NIUHuskies.com/tickets or call 815-753-PACK (7225).
