DeKALB, Ill. – The 2016 Northern Illinois University football team closed out its second week of preseason training camp with a pair of practices Saturday at Huskie Stadium. NIU worked out for approximately 90 minutes in the morning before returning to the field at 4:15 p.m. for an hour and 15 minutes in shorts, shoulder pads and helmets.
 
On what was originally scheduled to be a scrimmage day, NIU Head Coach Rod Carey decided that making Saturday a "work" day with two practices would be more beneficial to his team as various players returned to action after missing time this week.      
 
"We had some guys come back that missed time," Carey said. "There were some bumps and bruises – normal camp stuff - and we were just getting them back so felt we'd get more out of a work day rather than a scrimmage.  We got a lot of work in today [during the two practices], they responded well to [the change]."
 
As they did during many of the team's practices this week, the Huskies spent several periods with the offense facing third down situations. NIU also worked on special teams and in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11.
 
Carey was pleased with the progress made over the last two weeks although pronouncing the Huskies "not game ready" and especially liked the attitude the team has displayed over the last week.
 
"The biggest improvement [over the past week] has been in how we've come out and worked," he said. "The first week, they were in 'get through it' mode, there was a lot still ahead of them.  This week, they've embraced the work. It's been good."
 
After pronouncing the defense significantly ahead of the offense a week ago, the coaches are seeing more successful plays from the offense this week as that side of the ball progresses. 
 
"The offense is catching up," Carey said. "The defense is still ahead. The offense has made strides, you see them getting their assignments and at times, they are really getting it going.  Overall the defense is still a little ahead, but the offense is definitely coming.
 
"We have to continue on offense and certainly on defense to improve, to work more things out.  On defense, it's all about getting to the ball, making a good tackle. The offense has to execute, cut down on the missed assignments. The special teams improvement has been good, but there is still work to do there on all six units."
 
Carey also singled out several units for their progress, as well as redshirt freshman Sutton Smith on defense.
 
"Sutton Smith, I've liked what he has done this camp," Carey said. "The defensive line has really made improvements.  I like what I've seen out of our wide outs, they've continued to grow and get better. The offensive line has taken strides to what they can be."
 
The defensive line has seen several newcomers competing for playing time alongside veterans like William Lee, Ladell Fleming, Mario Jones and Corey Thomas, while the offensive line is coming together with new starters Shane Evans (center) and Lincoln Howard (guard) joining returning starters Levon Myers, Max Scharping and Josh Ruka.  
 
While the work of training camp officially continues with two weeks until the 2016 season kicks off at Wyoming on Sept. 3, classes will start on the NIU campus Monday, meaning the schedule will be markedly different.
 
"It will be a different fall camp schedule [next week]," Carey said. "Instead of the 12-13 hours we've been with them the last two weeks, it will be a short four hours a day, but we'll still be in camp mode.  We'll still have individual battles going on and then more team battles.  By the end of the week, we'll steal some time to start working on our first opponent."
 
NIU football season tickets, mini-plans and single game tickets are all on sale at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).  Season tickets offer the best prices and include the historic Huskie Chi-Town Showdown game versus Toledo at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Season tickets start at just $99 for a single ticket or $299 for a Family Pack of four season tickets; while mini-plans, featuring any three Huskie Stadium games, are just $60 each.
 
Season ticket members enjoy multiple benefits, including invitations to special events like next Saturday's NIU Football Kickoff Brunch at Fatty's Pub & Grille in DeKalb.  Season ticket members are all invited to the event with a complimentary brunch as well as a chance to get all the latest news on the NIU Football team heading into the season opener from Head Coach Rod Carey and the coaching staff.  To become a season ticket member and receive your invitation to the brunch, call 815-753-PACK (7225) or order online at NIUHuskies.com.
 
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