HUSKIE BITES
- NIU opens Mid-American Conference play Saturday when the Huskies play host to Kent State in the 111th Homecoming game in school history.
- The Huskies went 2-2 in non-conference play after a six-point loss to No. 19 San Diego State last week (34-28) during which the NIU defense gave up just three points and 104 yards in the second half.
- In addition to a 4-1 record versus teams from the Big Ten, Head Coach Rod Carey has coached NIU to a 26-6 record versus MAC foes during his four years at the helm, good for an .813 winning percentage.
- Huskies Christian Blake (WR) and Matt Ference (P) earned MAC West Offensive and Specialist of the Week honors, respectively. Blake caught a career-best 12 catches for 153 yards (totals adjusted following game due to stats issue) with two scores, while four of Ference's eight punts pinned SDSU inside its 20-yard line.
- NIU leads the all-time series with Kent State 20-7 and the Huskies have enjoyed regular season success versus MAC East teams, winning 20-of-21 games versus those opponents since 2010.
- Sophomore defensive end Sutton Smith continues to lead the country in tackles for loss with 10.5 through three games (a 2.6 per game average); leads NIU and ranks 12th nationally with four quarterback sacks, has broken up two passes and caused and recovered a fumble.
- Tailback Jordan Huff recorded his second consecutive, and sixth career, 100-yard rushing day with 148 yards on a career high 25 carries at San Diego State. Huff's career rushing average of 6.8 yards per rush would rank atop the NIU all-time charts.
- NIU will induct Huskie football greats Steve Azar (K, 2000-03) and Garrett Wolfe (TB, 2004-06) into its Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night. The two will also be introduced, along with four fellow new Hall of Famers, at halftime Saturday.
- NIU played in a MAC record eight straight bowl games from 2008-15 and played in six straight league championship games (2010-15) before falling to 5-7 a year ago, including a pair of triple overtime defeats.
HUSKIE FOOTBALL FACTS
2016 Record/MAC Record/Finish: 5-7/5-3/3rd West
Head Coach:
Rod Carey
Record at NIU/Years: 38-21/5th
Career Record/Years: 38-21/5th
Alma Mater/Year: Indiana/1993
Basic Offense/Defense: Multiple/4-3
First Year of Football: 1899
All-Time Record: 573-485-51
Last Bowl Game: 2015 SDCCU Poinsettia Bowl
MAC Championship Appearances, Last: 7, 2015
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 50/31
Starters Returning: 15 (5 offense, 8 defense, 2 specialist)
Starters Lost: 12 (5 offense, 6 defense, 1 specialist)
NIU FACTS
Location: DeKalb, Illinois
Founded: 1895
Enrollment: 19,015
Affiliation: NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision
Conference: Mid-American (West Division)
Colors: Cardinal and Black
Stadium: Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium
Surface/Capacity: FieldTurf /23,595
Acting President: Dr. Lisa Freeman
Assoc. VP/Athletic Director:
Sean T. Frazier
Alma Mater, Year: Alabama '92
Ticket Information: 815-753-PACK (7225)
KENT STATE FACTS
2016 Record: 3-9
Mid-American Conference Record/Finish: 2-6/5th East
Head Coach (Alma Mater/Year): Paul Haynes (Kent State/1993)
Record at Kent State/Years: 13-39/5th
Career Record/Years: 13-39/5th
Location: Kent, Ohio
Enrollment: 42,000
Conference: Mid-American Conference
Colors: Navy Blue and Gold
Stadium: Dix Stadium
Surface/Capacity: Turf /25,319
President: Dr. Beverly Warren
Athletic Director: Joel Nielsen
Athletics Website: kentstatesports.com
Twitter: @KSUAthletics
Ticket Information: 330-672-2244
2017 Kent State Schedule & Results
NIU-KENT STATE SERIES FACTS
Overall: NIU leads 20-7
In DeKalb, Illinois: NIU leads 11-2
At Kent, Ohio: NIU leads 8-5
Neutral Site Games: NIU leads 1-0
In MAC Games: NIU leads 18-3
Streak: NIU, 9
First Meeting: Nov. 18, 1949; KSU 21, NIU 19 (H)
Last Meeting: Nov. 25, 2016; NIU 31 KSU 21
Series History
1949: KSU 21, NIU 19 (H)
1950: KSU 56, NIU 7 (A)
1966: KSU 26, NIU 7 (H)
1967: KSU 35, NIU 0 (A)
1971: NIU 26, KSU 7 (A)
1972: NIU 28, KSU 7 (H)
1975: NIU 38, KSU 15 (H)*
1976: KSU 42, NIU 0, (A)*
1977: NIU 21, KSU 18 (A)*
1978: NIU 27, KSU 21 (H)*
1979: NIU 25, KSU 0 (H)*
1980: NIU 35, KSU 14 (A)*
1981: KSU 21, NIU 10 (A)*
1982: NIU 21, KSU 15 (H)*
1983: NIU 38, KSU 7 (A)*
1984: NIU 24, KSU 10 (H)*
1999: NIU 50, KSU 10 (H)*
2001: KSU 44, NIU 34 (A)*
2002: NIU 13, KSU 6 (H)*
2005: NIU 34, KSU 3 (A)*
2007: NIU 27, KSU 20 (H)*
2008: NIU 42, KSU 14 (A)*
2011: NIU 40, KSU 10 (H)*
2012: NIU 44, KSU 37 -2OT (N)*
2013: NIU 38, KSU 24 (A)*
2014: NIU 17, KSU 14 (H)*
2016: NIU 31, KSU 21 (A)*
FOLLOW THE HUSKIES
TV: NIU-KENT STATE ON ESPN3/ESPN APP
- The NIU-Kent State game will air on ESPN3 live online and on mobile devices via the ESPN App.
- Get the direct link to watch on GameDay Central and on the football schedule page at NIUHuskies.com.
- The announce crew for the NIU-Kent State game is Dan Gutowsky (play-by-play) and Marcus Ray (color analyst).
RADIO: NIU SPORTS NETWORK
- The NIU Sports Network broadcast for the Kent State game begins at 2 p.m. CT, 30 minutes prior to kickoff.
- The game will be carried on NIU network affiliates WLBK AM 1360/FM 98.9 (DeKalb), SportsFan Radio AM 1330 (Rockford) and AM 560 The Answer (Chicago).
- Hear the broadcast online via NIU All-Access (subscription), and on mobile devices via TuneIn. Download the app free and find the NIU Huskies channel.
- Bill Baker is in his 38th season as the radio play-by-play "Voice of the Huskies." Color analyst Mark Lindo joins him for the 32nd season, while Andy Garcia is in his fifth season on the sidelines.
INSIDE HUSKIE FOOTBALL RADIO SHOW
- Fans are invited to attend the one-hour show every Monday at Noon at Fatty's Pub & Grille in DeKalb (1312 W. Lincoln Hwy).
- Listen live with the TuneIn app; hear it Monday at 7 p.m. on WLBK AM 1360/FM 98.9 in DeKalb, 8 pm Mondays on 560 AM The Answer in Chicago and Tuesdays at 7 p.m. on SportsFan Radio 1330 AM in Rockford.
- The weekly show features host Bill Baker, NIU Head Coach Rod Carey, Huskie players and athletic department guests.
NIU WEEKLY RADIO SHOW
- Airs Friday at 10 p.m. CT in Chicago on AM 560 The Answer, Saturday at 8:30 a.m. on WLBK AM 1360/FM 98.9 in DeKalb and on Sports Fan Radio 1330 in Rockford at 6:30 a.m Saturdays.
- Also hear it on NIUTube (subscription).
- Hosts are Andy Garcia and Sean T. Frazier, NIU Associate Vice-President and Director of Athletics.
- The 30-minute show features interviews with football coach Rod Carey, other NIU head coaches and guests.
NIUTUBE (HUSKIE ALL-ACCESS)
- See weekly and post-game press conferences, video features, Huskie Olympic sports and special events.
- Hear all NIU live radio broadcasts, including football and basketball games and NIU radio shows.
- Purchase a daily, monthly or annual subscription.
- Go to NIUHuskies.com for rates and information.
GETTING SOCIAL
- Twitter: @NIUAthletics, @NIUScores, @NIU_Football
- Facebook: NIU Huskies, NIU Football
- Instagram: niuhuskies, niufootball
- YouTube: niuhuskiesdotcom
- See NIU Athletics' social media hub online to see all of the Huskie team and coaching staff accounts.
NEWS & NOTES
HUSKIE HOMECOMING HISTORY: NIU plays its 111th Homecoming game Saturday. The Huskies' annual celebration dates back to an alumni football game played Oct. 10, 1903. NIU's Homecoming is the oldest major college alumni gathering in the state and the Huskies have one of the longest celebrated Homecoming traditions in the country. The Huskies are 70-30-10 all time in its Homecoming football games and have won 17 of their last 19 in front of the alums. NIU is 36-14-2 in Homecoming football games in Huskie Stadium.
SERIES HISTORY: Saturday's contest between Kent State and NIU will be the 28th meeting all time between the two schools, making the Golden Flashes NIU's most frequent MAC East foe. NIU leads the all-time series, 20-7, and has won the last nine games between the teams dating back to 2001. The Huskies are 11-2 in games played in DeKalb, with a 17-14 win at Huskie Stadium in 2014. In MAC competition, NIU leads the all-time series 18-3, including a 44-37 double overtime victory in the 2012 MAC Championship game.
WHEN LAST WE MET: NIU scored 17 points in a 7:14 stretch in the third and fourth quarters to defeat Kent State, 31-21, in the 2016 season finale at Dix Stadium Nov. 25, 2016.
Daniel Santacaterina, the Huskies' fourth different starting quarterback of the season, led the way for NIU in his first career start. He completed 13-of-23 passes for 258 yards, while scoring his first career rushing touchdown.
Jordan Huff rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Shane Wimann tallied 65 yards receiving on three receptions, while
Christian Blake made two catches for 54 yards.
FREQUENT FOE: This year's NIU-Kent State game will be the sixth meeting in the last seven years between the two cross-divisional foes, with five of those coming in the regular season. Bowling Green is the only other MAC East team the Huskies have faced in five of the last six years, with three of those meetings coming in the conference title game.
HUSKIES IN THE MAC: NIU is 141-97-2 all-time in MAC play with a 105-52 (.669) record in league action since 1997, when NIU rejoined the league. Since 2010, NIU is 49-7 and has recorded three undefeated campaigns and two one-loss seasons in league play, winning six-straight division championships during that stretch. The Huskies are in their 32nd season as a member of the Mid-American Conference in 2017-18, including an initial stint in the league from 1975-85.
MACTION OPENERS: NIU is 14-17 in MAC openers all-time, including an 8-6 mark in such contests at Huskie Stadium. The Huskies have won four of their last five MAC lid lifters, including a 31-24 triumph at Ball State (Oct. 1) in 2016. The last time NIU lost a conference opener at home was 2007 when the Huskies fell to Eastern Michigan, 21-19 (Sept. 15). The Huskies have faced Kent State in five previous MAC openers, three at home, and have won all five. The last time NIU played the Golden Flashes in a conference opener was Oct. 4, 2014 at Huskie Stadium, a 17-14 Huskie victory.
NIU VS. MAC EAST: NIU has won 20 of its last 21 regular season games over MAC East Division opponents and 25 of 27 since the 2008 season. NIU's last regular season loss to a MAC East foe was on Nov. 24, 2015 when the Huskies fell to Ohio, 26-21, in Huskie Stadium. The Huskies are 6-0 versus Buffalo, 5-0 against Kent State, 4-0 versus Akron, Miami and Bowling Green, and have one win over Ohio in the regular season during that time. NIU defeated former league members Temple in 2010 and UMass in 2012 and 2013. Miami defeated NIU in the 2010 MAC title game and Bowling Green won the 2013 and 2015 MAC Championship games over NIU.
HALL CALL: Huskie football greats Steve Azar and Garrett Wolfe will be inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 6, 2017. The Huskies' all-time leading rusher with 5,164 career rushing yards, Wolfe led the nation in rushing with 1,928 yards and TDs with 18 in 2006 and was named the league's MVP. NIU's all-time leading scorer, Azar is the only player in NIU football history to earn all-conference honors four times. He also earned first team All-America honors from Football News and Second Team Freshman All-America accolades from the Sporting News.
A TALE OF TWO HALVES: After allowing 17 points and 159 yards in the first half against San Diego State, the NIU defense held the Aztecs to just 104 yards of total offense, 13 yards passing and 91 rushing, and three points in the second half. Offensively, the Huskies tallied 211 of their 429 yards of total offense and matched their point total of 14 in the first half in the final two frames of the game.
THE DEFENSE DOES NOT REST: NIU's defense allowed just 263 yards of total offense, last week, lowering its average to 293.3 yards per game, which ranks 15th in the nation and leads the MAC. Last year, the Huskies finished the season ranked 98th nationally in total defense, ninth in the MAC, allowing 451.5 yards a game.
SACK IT TO ME: NIU's defense has tallied nine sacks through the first four games this season, two against both Boston College and Eastern Illinois, three at Nebraska and one at San Diego State. The Huskies didn't record their ninth sack of the season last year until Oct. 8 at Western Michigan. It is the most sacks by the Huskie defense in the first four games since NIU tallied 11 in 2014.
SACK STREAK: Sutton Smith extended the Huskies defense's streak of sacks in a game to 14 games when he sacked Christian Chapman in the first quarter of NIU's game at San Diego State. The streak dates back to the Huskies' Sept. 17, 2016 contest against the Aztecs.
AT A LOSS: The Huskie defense tallied eight tackles for loss at San Diego State, upping their average to 8.5 tackles for loss per game, which leads the MAC and ranks seventh in the country. NIU, which recorded a season-high 12 tackles for loss against Boston College in the season opener, has 34 TFLs on the season.
MR. SMITH GOES OFF: Sutton Smith added to his tackle for loss tally with a sack of San Diego State's Christian Chapman. The redshirt sophomore has 10.5 on the season, four of which are sacks, and averages a nation's best 2.6 a game. He recorded a career-high five TFLs in NIU's contest with Boston College.
GETTING OFF THE FIELD: The Huskie defense recorded a season-best eight three and outs at San Diego State, which ranks 12th in the country in forcing three and outs, averaging 5.75 a game. NIU has either forced teams to punt or forced a turnover in the first three plays of a drive in 23 of 61 drives by their opponents. The Huskies tallied six three-and-outs versus Eastern Illinois, five at Nebraska and four in the season opener against Boston College.
IN A HUFF: Jordan Huff recorded back-to-back 100-yard games for the first time in his career with his sixth 100-yard game after rushing for a game-high 148 yards on 25 carries at San Diego State. That came on the heels of amassing 105 yards on 16 carries, including a game-winning touchdown against Nebraska. Huff became the first Huskie since
Anthony Maddie last season (Oct. 1 to Oct. 8, 2016) to rush for 100 yards in back-to-back games.
SANTA'S COMING TO TOWN: Sophomore quarterback
Daniel Santacaterina established career highs for attempts (37) and passing yards (262), while tying his career highs for completions (23) and touchdown passes (3) in NIU's contest at San Diego State.
SANTA AS A STARTER: Daniel Santacaterina fell to 3-1 as a starter, with NIU's loss to San Diego State. He won his first career start last year at Kent State (Nov. 25), a week after Santacaterina came off the bench in the second quarter for an injured
Ryan Graham against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 16). He led NIU from a 21-0 halftime deficit to a 31-21 win over the Eagles. Santacaterina was the starting QB in NIU first win of 2017, a 38-10 decision over Eastern Illinois in the second game of the season, and in the Huskies' 21-17 victory over Nebraska in his third career start.
TOPPING 80: When sophomore quarterback
Daniel Santacaterina connected with
Spencer Tears on an 81-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter at San Diego State, he became the first quarterback to complete an 80-yard pass since back up
Drew Hare accomplished the feat Nov. 2, 2013 when he hit
Chad Beebe on an 81-yard touchdown pass at Massachusetts, 48 games ago.
TWO FOR 100: Wide receivers
Christian Blake and
Spencer Tears amassed career-bests of 153 and 105 receiving yards, respectively, at San Diego State, becoming the first NIU receiving duo to tally 100-yards receiving in the same game since Nov. 3, 2015 when
Kenny Golladay (128) and Tommylee Lewis (125) accomplished the feat in a 32-27 win at Toledo. The pair also became the first Huskies since Golladay to tally 100 yards receiving in a game since last season's meeting with Toledo (Nov. 9).
FILLING THE VOID: With the graduations of
Kenny Golladay and
Aregeros Turner, the Huskie receiving corps lost 58.4 percent of its total yardage from last season. Golladay led the Huskies with 1,156 yards on 87 receptions, while Turner tallied 40 catches for 415 yards. The Huskies have four players in triple digits in receiving yards this season.
Christian Blake and
Spencer Tears vaulted themselves to the top of charts with their first career 100-yard receiving games at San Diego State. Blake has amassed 254 yards on 20 receptions, while Tears' total of 192 yards on 14 receptions puts him second on the list. Junior
D.J. Brown, who had nine catches for 91 yards a year ago, has 134 yards on 16 receptions. Senior
Chad Beebe (currently injured) is second on the squad with 125 yards on 10 catches.
ADDING TO THE BONEYARD: NIU improved to 15-61-1 all-time versus teams that were in an autonomous conference (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC & Pac-12) at the time the Huskies played them with its 21-17 victory at Nebraska. Of those 15 wins, nine have come in the last 15 years, beginning with NIU's 42-41 victory over Wake Forest Aug. 29, 2002. The Huskies have played a team from one of those five conferences 34 of the last 35 years. The only year the Huskies didn't face one of those teams was 2016.
THREE OF A KIND: For the second time this season, three Huskie defenders finished in double digits in tackles at Nebraska.
Bobby Jones IV led the way with a game-high 14 stops, while
Kyle Pugh finished with 11 and safety
Mykelti Williams tallied a career best 10 tackles. Linebackers
Kyle Pugh (17),
Bobby Jones IV (16) and
Jawuan Johnson (10) accomplished the same feat in the season opener against Boston College.
CONVERTING INTs INTO TDs: With his 87-yard interception return for a touchdown,
Shawun Lurry tied the school record for career interception returns for a touchdown with two. His first came in the 2015 MAC Championship game against Bowling Green (Dec. 4) when he ran a Matt Johnson pass back 64 yards for a score.
MAKING HISTORY: The NIU defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns for the first time in school history in its victory at Nebraska.
Shawun Lurry ran the first interception of the day back 87 yards in the first quarter, while
Jawuan Johnson followed suit with a 25-yard interception return for a touchdown later in the quarter.
TURNING OVER POINTS: The Huskies have converted five of the seven turnovers forced on the season into 31 points. Last season, NIU tallied 33 points off 15 turnovers. The Huskies scored a field on the first turnover forced this season by NIU, a
Kyle Pugh interception against Boston College.
AHEAD OF SCHEDULE: Josh Corcoran's interception of Tanner Lee on Nebraska's final possession was the sixth by the NIU defense this season. The Huskies, who finished 2016 with 14 INTs, didn't tally their sixth interception of last year until Oct. 22, 2016 at Buffalo, the eighth game of the season.
WORKING ON THE LINE: There are multiple new faces on the NIU defensive line with
Josh Corcoran (DE) and
William Lee (DT) the only returnees who saw significant time in the top-eight rotation a year ago. Tackle
Ben LeRoy, who played a back-up role as a true freshman in 2016, end
Sutton Smith and redshirt freshman
Jack Heflin are all first-time starters. Corcoran and Lee, senior
Joe Sanders and newcomers
Drequan Brown,
Matt Lorbeck,
Devin Webster and
Weston Kramer make up the Huskies' defensive line rotation.
TE FOR THE TD: Shane Wimann, who entered the season as the school record holder for career touchdown receptions by a tight end, added to his total with a one-yard touchdown reception in NIU's 38-10 victory over Eastern Illinois. It was his 12th career touchdown and second of the season. He scored his first touchdown on a seven-yard grab against Boston College. The Huskie senior is the only player on the current roster to have caught a touchdown pass from each of the last four NIU starting quarterbacks.
QUARTERBACK SIX PACK: Ryan Graham became only the sixth different season-opening signal-caller for NIU since 2008 when he took the first snap from center of 2017. Chandler Harnish started the initial games of the 2008, 2009 and 2011 seasons, while DeMarcus Grady started the 2010 season opener.
Jordan Lynch took the first snaps of the year in 2012 and 2013, and Matt McIntosh started the 2014 season.
Drew Hare started both the 2015 and 2016 campaigns. Lynch (2013) was the last Huskie QB to start and finish the year as the starter.
FROSH FACES: Six redshirt and four true freshmen have made their Huskie debuts this season. Quarterback
Marcus Childers and tailback
Tre Harbison saw their first action as Huskies in NIU's win over Eastern Illinois. They join fellow redshirt freshmen
Jack Heflin (DT),
Andrew Parchment (WR),
Benn Olson (OL) and
Austin Warner (OL) in seeing their first playing time this year. Freshmen
Matt Ference (P),
Isaac Hawn (OL),
Matt Lorbeck (DE) and
Weston Kramer (DT) have all seen action as well, with Hawn (OT) and Ference (P) earning starting roles.
WELCOME NEWCOMERS: NIU has also had six newcomers see their first action as Huskies in 2017. Grad transfer
Jonathan Parker and transfers
Drequan Brown (DE),
Jalen Embry (CB),
Devin Webster (DT),
Jauan Wesley (WR) and
Mykelti Williams (S) have all stepped in to play significant roles. Williams, who starts at one of the safety spots had a career-best 10 tackles at Nebraska.
MEET THE "NEW" GUYS: Two-time NIU All-American and 2013 Heisman Trophy finalist
Jordan Lynch is one of three new members of the coaching staff for 2017. One of the top FBS running quarterbacks of all-time, Lynch is coaching the Huskie running backs.
Jeff Knowles (linebackers) and
Steve Crutchley (wide receivers) are the other new additions.
SUNSHINE STATERS: The 2017 Huskie roster includes 12 players from the state of Florida. Freshmen
Jalen McKie,
Dennis Robinson and
Jordan Robinson, no relation, join nine returning Florida Huskies – seniors
Christian Blake,
Shawun Lurry and
Ezra Saffold, redshirt senior
Bobby Jones IV, redshirt junior
Albert Smalls, redshirt sophomores Antonio Davis-Jones and
Trequan Smith and redshirt freshman
Andrew Parchment. The 12 – all from the southeast coast of the state – represent nine different Florida high schools.
FINISHING AT NIU: NIU welcomed two graduate transfers for 2017. Tailback
Jonathan Parker comes to NIU after spending the previous four seasons at Iowa.
Jaden Huff transferred to NIU from St. Cloud State, where he was a team captain for the St. Cloud State Huskie in 2016.
DEGREES IN HAND: Eight players on the NIU roster are college graduates. Six have earned their degrees from NIU, while two others came to DeKalb as graduate transfers.
Jackson Abresch (S) - Business Administration
Ty Harmston (TE) - Biology
Jordan Huff (TB) - Studio Art-Design & Media Arts
Bobby Jones IV (LB) - Sociology
William Lee (DT) - History
Max Scharping (LT) - Kinesiology
Jaden Huff (LB) - Business Administration
St. Cloud State
Jonathan Parker (CB) - Biology
Iowa
MAKING THE GRADE: The NIU football team continues to excel in the classroom. NIU again leads the MAC and ranks in the Top 20 nationally with a Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 84 percent, which is 10 points above the national FBS average. Additionally, the Huskies' 976 in the most recent Academic Progress Rate (APR) report from the NCAA, is the third-highest score in school history.
MAC PRESEASON POLLS: NIU was picked to finish in third place in the MAC West Division in 2017 by both the MAC media and MAC Coaches. Toledo was picked to win the league by both polls. It is the fourth straight year the MAC Media Poll has not picked NIU to win its division. Ohio was picked to win the East in both polls. NIU won the MAC West title in six of the previous seven years.
NEXT: The Huskies return to the road to take on Buffalo at UB Stadium next Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (CT).
