DEKALB, Ill. —The Northern Illinois University Wrestling team returns from the road when it welcomes Central Michigan to Chick Evans Field House Saturday night. Action starts at 7 p.m.

In addition to being the home opener for the Huskies, it is also the Mid-American Conference lid lifter for NIU. Last season, the Huskies posted a 1-3 record at home duals and are 12-28 all-time versus Central Michigan. The Huskies last win versus the Chippewas came Jan. 31, 2003 when the Huskies defeated CMU, 16-15.

"Central Michigan has got a good squad this year," said NIU head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig. "We had to fix some things and the guys have been taking to that really well so, we are excited about our first home meet and excited to get rolling on Saturday night."

The Huskies are led by Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar), who is second on the team going into Saturday in wins with nine. He claimed a pair of dual wins in the Hoosier Duals defeating Garett Peeple (Indiana), 3-0 and Andrew Coghill (Cleveland State) via tech fall, 18-3, at 133. Jeffery is the active team leader all-time in wins with 60.

At 285, Caleb Gossett (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central) is tied for third on the squad with eight wins. The Huskie redshirt-sophomore is coming off a two-win performance in the Hoosier Duals defeating Fletcher Miller (Indiana), 12-6, and Colin Kelly (Cleveland State) via major decision, 15-2.

NIU will meet four ranked opponents at 141, 149, 174, and 184. Ludwig is excited about his team facing ranked opponents and wants to see his wrestlers capitalize on those opportunities.

"Great matchups, we want to wrestle guys that have numbers next to their names because we want numbers by our names," said Ludwig. "That has really been our focus. Our guys need to have a mindset of it does not matter who you are standing across from you. We are looking forward to challenging those guys."

The Huskies are hosting their first meet in Chick Evans Fieldhouse, which opened its doors in 1956, since Dec. 5, 2014 when NIU hosted Michigan State in the historic facility. Ludwig is happy to be back wrestling at home.

"It feels really good to be back home," said Ludwig. "We have been on the road nonstop in the fall and the guys are excited to wrap up finals week; that is the heartbeat of our focus this week

so the guys have been doing a great job. We are excited to stay at home and not go on the road for a weekend."

Once again, Ludwig knows every wrestlers is going to have to do their part for the Huskies to be successful this weekend.

"For us to get the job done, I think somebody has to get some bonus point victories, it can come down to get that bonus-point victory," said Ludwig. "I need all 10 guys on board. We always need guys to do special things if we are going to win dual meets that is just the way it goes so bonus point victories are huge when it comes to dual meets. We will need somebody to step up and somebody has to get the job done."

--NIU--

Probable Line Ups

NIU Huskies (0-2) (0-0)

125: Brock Hudkins (8-3)

133: Alijah Jeffery (9-4)

141: Anthony Rubino (0-7)

149: Zack Velasquez (2-6)

157: Caden McWhirter (0-2)

165: Andrew Scott (4-6)

174: Quinton Rosser (8-5) OR Michael Aldrich (6-7)

184: Bryce Gorman (4-4)

197: Max Ihry (3-9)

285: Caleb Gossett (8-4) OR Ross Sealby (3-6)

Central Michigan Chippewas (1-3) (0-0)

125: Drew Hildebrandt (8-9)

133: Dresden Simon (10-7)

141: No.19 Mason Smith (15-3)

149: No. 3 Justin Oliver (13-1)

157: Blake Montrie (3-6)

165: Logan Parks (8-6)

174: No. 15 CJ Brucki

184: No. 14 Jordan Ellingwood (10-5)

197: Jordan Atienza (10-6) OR Landon Pelham (4-5)

285: Matt Stencel (11-8)