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Football

NIU Heads West for Match-up with No. 19 San Diego State

CBS Sports Network to Televise Saturday Game at 9:30 pm CT

 
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HUSKIE BITES
  • After enjoying its first true open date since 2014, NIU returns to action Saturday as the Huskies take on No. 19/21 San Diego State at San Diego County Credit Union Stadium.  
  • The Huskies last faced the Aztecs in San Diego in 1971, but are no strangers to the stadium as NIU played in three Poinsettia Bowl games at what was formerly Qualcomm Stadium in 2006, 2013 and 2015.  
  • Following NIU's win over Nebraska, Huskies' Head Coach Rod Carey is 4-1 versus teams from the Big Ten in his four seasons at the helm. Under Carey, NIU now has wins over Iowa, Purdue, Northwestern and Nebraska with the only loss a 20-13 decision at No. 1 Ohio State in 2015. 
  • NIU is 6-30 all-time against teams ranked in the AP Top 25 with the Huskies' most recent win over a ranked team a 32-27 decision over No. 20 Toledo on Nov. 3, 2015. NIU's last win over a Top 25 team from outside the MAC was a 19-16 win over No. 21 Alabama in 2003.   
  • The Huskie defense has surrendered just 50 points through three games, has scored twice on interception returns and has picked off six passes, a number NIU did not reach last year until its eighth game of the season. 
  • Sophomore defensive end Sutton Smith leads the country in tackles for loss with 9.5 through three games and has collected three quarterback sacks, broken up two passes and caused and recovered a fumble. Smith  has already matched his 12-game tackle total from a year ago.  
  • Sophomore Daniel Santacaterina is 3-0 as the Huskies' starting quarterback, including a win over Kent State last year. Santacaterina, who was narrowly beaten out for the starting job by junior Ryan Graham to start the year, stepped into the starting role when Graham was injured versus Boston College. 
  • 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: 38-20/5th
Career Record/Years: 38-20/5th
Alma Mater/Year: Indiana/1993
Basic Offense/Defense: Multiple/4-3
First Year of Football: 1899
All-Time Record: 573-484-51
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)
 

SAN DIEGO STATE FACTS
2016 Record:11-3
 Mountain West Record/Finish:6-2/1st 
Head Coach (Alma Mater/Year): Rocky Long (New Mexico /1974)
Record at SDSU /Years: 58-26/7th
Career Record/Years: 123-95/18th
Location: San Diego, Calif.
Enrollment: 33,726
Conference: Mountain West
Colors: Scarlet and Black
Stadium: San Diego County Credit Union Stadium    
     Surface/Capacity: Natural Grass /54,000
President: Dr. Elliott Hirshman
Athletic Director: John David Wicker
Athletics Website: www.goaztecs.com
Twitter: @GoAztecs
Ticket Information: 619-283-SDSU

2017 SDSU Schedule & Results
 

NIU-SAN DIEGO STATE SERIES FACTS
Overall: SDSU leads 5-0
In San Diego: SDSU leads 2-0
In DeKalb: SDSU leads 3-0
Streak: SDSU, 5
First Meeting: October 21, 1967: SDSU 47, NIU 6 (H)
Last Meeting: September 17, 2017: SDSU 42, NIU 28 (H)

Series History
10/21/1967: SDSU 47, NIU 6 (H)
9/20/1968: SDSU 40, NIU 21 (A)
9/12/1970: SDSU 35, NIU 3 (H)
10/2/1971: SDSU 30, NIU 10 (A)
9/17/2016: SDSU 42, NIU 28 (H)

FOLLOW THE HUSKIES

TV: NIU-SDSU ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK
  • NIU's game at San Diego State will air on CBS Sports Network, the Huskies' second of at least three, and potentially seven, appearances on the network. 
  • Find the CBSSN channel in your area by using the Channel Finder at CBSSportsNetwork.com.
  • CBS Sports Network does not stream or offer games via mobile app. 
  • The announce crew for the NIU-San Diego State game is Dave Ryan (play-by-play), Corey Chavous (color analyst) and Melanie Collins (sidelines).

RADIO: NIU SPORTS NETWORK
  • The NIU Sports Network broadcast for the SDSU game begins at 9 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 subsciption.
  • 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

SERIES HISTORY: Saturday night's contest with No. 19/21 San Diego State will be the sixth meeting all-time between the two schools, and the second in as many years. The Aztecs own a 5-0 record in the all-time series, winning the last meeting, 42-28, Sept. 17, 2016 at Huskie Stadium. The series dates back to Oct. 21, 1967, a 47-6 victory by San Diego State in DeKalb. San Diego State defeated NIU, 30-10, Oct. 2, 1971 in the last meeting played in San Diego.

PULLING RANK: The Huskies are looking for their first win over a ranked foe since Nov. 3, 2015, when NIU defeated then-No. 20 ranked Toledo, 32-27, in the Glass Bowl at Toledo. NIU is 6-30 versus team ranked in Associated Press Poll. 

WHEN LAST WE MET: Darnell Pumphrey rushed for 220 yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries as San Diego State handed NIU a 42-28 loss at Huskie Stadium in the home opener last season. San Diego State raced out to a 28-0 lead before NIU responded by scoring the next 21 points of the game. Ryan Graham threw for three touchdowns and 213 yards on 17-of-35 passing. Pumphrey then scored on runs of 33 and 79 yards to propel the Aztecs to victory.

NIU vs. THE MOUNTAIN WEST: The Huskies' record versus teams that currently comprise the Mountain West Conference fell to 9-12 following NIU's 42-28 loss to San Diego State in the 2016 home opener. NIU has played a team from the Mountain West in each of the last three seasons. In addition to playing San Diego State, NIU traveled to Wyoming last year and suffered a 40-34 setback to the Cowboys in triple overtime Sept. 3, 2016. In 2015, NIU defeated UNLV in the season opener and lost to Boise State in the 2015 San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. NIU owns winning records against UNLV, Fresno State and San Jose State.
 
School NIU vs Last Meeting Score Date
Boise State 0-1 BSU 55-7 12/23/2015 (Bowl)
Fresno State 3-2 NIU 40-17 12/18/2010 (Bowl)
Nevada 1-1 UNR 35-31 10/1/1994
San Diego State 0-5 SDSU 42-28 9/17/2016
San Jose State 1-0 NIU 18-17 9/16/1995
UNLV 5-0 NIU 38-30 9/5/2015
Utah State 0-2 USU 21-14 12/26/2013 (Bowl)
Wyoming 0-1 WYO 40-34 (3OT) 9/3/2016













NATIONALLY-RECOGNIZED: The Huskies will be making their third of at least six nationally televised appearances when they face San Diego State on CBS Sports Network Saturday night. NIU's season opener versus Boston College was also televised by CBSSN, as is the Huskies' Nov. 9 home contest versus Ball State. The Eastern Michigan (Oct. 26), Toledo (Nov. 2) and Western Michigan (Nov. 15) contests are slated for either CBS Sports Network or one of the ESPN family of networks (ESPN2/ESPNU/ESPN3). NIU's last televised game was its 21-17 victory over Nebraska, which was aired by FS1.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Saturday night's game with the Aztecs is the second of a two-game road trip for NIU that began with the Huskies' 21-17 victory over Nebraska. It is also part of a stretch of four of the next five away from Huskie Stadium. NIU's lone home game during this stretch is Oct. 7 when the Huskies face Kent State in its 111th Homecoming game. The Huskies will then travel to MAC East foes Buffalo (Oct. 14) and Bowling Green (Oct. 21).

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. NIU's victories over teams from the larger conferences are referred to as "Boneyard" victories and are added to a graphic display in the Huskie locker room. 

FAMILIAR TERRITORY: The Huskies will be making their sixth trip to San Diego County Credit Union Stadium when NIU takes on San Diego State Saturday. NIU is 0-5 in its previous trips to the venue that includes two games against San Diego State (1968 and 1971) and three Poinsettia Bowls (2006, 2013 and 2015). The Huskies last visit, to then-Qualcomm Stadium, was a 55-7 setback to Boise State, Dec. 23, 2015.

GOING BACK TO CALI: The Huskies are 5-9 in games played in California, with their last victory in The Golden State coming Dec. 30, 2004. NIU defeated Troy, 34-21, in the Silicon Valley Bowl in San Jose, Calif. Of those 14 games, five have been bowl games – 1983 California Bowl, 2004 Silicon Valley Bowl, 2006, 2013 and 2015 Poinsettia Bowls.

THE DEFENSE DOES NOT REST: NIU's defense leads the MAC and ranks 26th nationally in total defense, allowing 303.3 yards per game. NIU's 97.7 yards rushing allowed also leads the league and ranks 19th in the country. Last year, NIU finished the season ranked 98th nationally in total defense, ninth in the MAC and 88th in rushing defense, 10th in the league.

SACK IT TO ME: NIU's defense has tallied eight sacks through the first three games this season, two against both Boston College and Eastern Illinois, and three at Nebraska. The Huskies didn't record their eighth sack of the season last year until Oct. 8 at Western Michigan. It is the most sacks by the Huskie defense in the first three games since NIU tallied 11 in 2014.

AT A LOSS: The Huskie defense, which recorded a season-high 12 tackles for loss against Boston College in the season opener, now has 26 TFLs on the season, lead the MAC in that category and are sixth in the nation averaging 8.7 tackles for loss a game.

MR. SMITH GOES OFF: Redshirt sophomore Sutton Smith added three-and-a-half tackles for loss and two sacks, in NIU's 21-17 victory over Nebraska. The Huskie defensive end leads the nation with 3.2 tackles for loss a game. He recorded a career-high five TFLs in NIU's contest with Boston College. 

GETTING OFF THE FIELD: The Huskie defense ranks 21st in the country in forcing three and outs, averaging 5.0 a game. NIU has either forced teams to punt or forced a turnover in the first three plays of a drive in 15 of 46 drives by their opponents, tallying four in the season opener against Boston College, six versus Eastern Illinois and five at Nebraska.

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.

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. The Huskies converted two interceptions into touchdowns in each of the last two games, returning a pair of interceptions for scores at Nebraska.

BYE BYE BYE: NIU is 2-0 under Rod Carey following a bye week. The Huskies defeated Kent State, 17-14 Oct. 4, 2014, following their last bye week. Following its bye week after defeating Iowa in 2013, NIU scored a 45-35 win at Idaho (Sept. 14). The Huskies are facing San Diego State after having last week off.

POINT TAKEN: NIU's opponents have scored 50 points through the first three games of 2017, the fewest points allowed by a Huskie defense through three games since 2003, when NIU held its opponents to 46 points. NIU allowed 40 points of more in each of the first three games last season before holding MAC opponents to 24 points or less six times.

STREAKING: The Huskies extended their streak of games with an interception to nine when Shawun Lurry intercepted Tanner Lee and ran it back 87 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of NIU's 21-17 victory at Nebraska. The streak dates back to Oct. 15, 2016 when the Huskies picked off two passes against Central Michigan.

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.

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.

SANTA AS A STARTER: Daniel Santacaterina improved to 3-0 as a starter, after helping rally NIU to a 21-17 victory over Nebraska. He won his first career start, a 31-21 decision over Kent State (Nov. 25) last year. It was a week after Santacaterina came off the bench in the second quarter for an injured Ryan Graham against Eastern Michigan (Nov. 16) and led NIU from a 21-0 halftime deficit to a 31-21 win over the Eagles. He led NIU to its first win of 2017, a 38-10 decision over Eastern Illinois in the second game of the season.

SANTA'S COMING TO TOWN: In his second career start, sophomore quarterback Daniel Santacaterina established new career highs for completions (23), attempts (34) and touchdown passes (3) while throwing for 258 yards in the Huskies' 38-10 win over Eastern Illinois.

STREAK BUSTER: While the Huskie defense extended their streak of consecutive games with an interception, the NIU offense broke an interception streak of their own. At Nebraska, the Huskies did not throw an interception for the first time in 12 games. The last time an NIU QB did not throw and interception was Sept. 10, 2016 at South Florida.

IN A HUFF: Jordan Huff recorded his fifth career 100-yard rushing game when he amassed 105 yards on 16 carries, including a rushing touchdown, against Nebraska. It is his first 100-yard game against a team from an autonomous conference. It was his first 100-yard game since Nov. 16, 2016 when he rushed for a career-best 173 yards versus Eastern Michigan. Huff's game-winning touchdown was the 17th rushing TD of his career.

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 three players in triple digits in receiving yards this season. Junior D.J. Brown, who had nine catches for 91 yards a year ago, leads the Huskies with 137 yards on 12 receptions. Senior Chad Beebe (currently injured) is second on the squad with 125 yards on 10 catches. Christian Blake, who tallied a team-high 77 yards on five receptions at Nebraska, has 101 yards on eight receptions.

TEARS OF JOY: Wide receiver Spencer Tears turned in a career day in NIU's 38-10 win over Eastern Illinois. Tears scored his first career touchdown on a 39-yard bomb from Daniel Santacaterina. He finished the day with four catches for 61 yards, surpassing his previous career bests of three receptions and 29 yards set in the season opener against Boston College. he ranks third on the team with nine catches in 2017.

TE FOR THE TD:  Shane Wimann, who entered the season as the school record holder for career touchdown receptions by a tight end, cadded to his total with a one-yard touchdown reception in NIU's 38-10 victory over Eastern Illinois. It was his 12th career touchdown reception and second of the season. He scored his first touchdown on a seven-yard catch 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 see 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 nd transfers Drequan Brown (DE), Jalen Embry (CB), Devin Webster (DT), Jauan Wesley (WR) and Mykelti Williams (S) have all stepped in to play signigicant 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.
 
Name Class Pos.   Hometown (High School)
Christian Blake Sr. WR   Ft. Lauderdale (Cardinal Gibbons)
Lance Deveaux, Jr. So. LB   Pompano Beach (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Antonio Jones-Davis So.-R LB Vero Beach (Vero Beach)
Bobby Jones IV Sr.-R LB Miami Gardens (Monsignor Pace)
Shawun Lurry Sr. CB West Palm Beach (W.T. Dwyer)
Jalen McKie Fr. CB Ft. Lauderdale (Waukegan, Ill.)
Andrew Parchment Fr.-R WR Ft. Lauderdale (Cypress Bay)
Dennis Robinson Fr. WR Hollywood (South Broward)
Jordan Robinson Fr. WR Miami (Norland)
Ezra Saffold Sr. WR Riviera Beach (W. T. Dwyer)
Albert Smalls Jr.-R CB Miramar (Monsignor Pace)
Trequan Smith So.-R S Boynton Beach (Boynton Beach)

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    Operations and Information Management    NIU
Ty Harmston    TE    Biology    NIU
Jordan Huff    TB    Pre-Computer Science    NIU
Bobby Jones IV    LB    Kinesiology    NIU
William Lee    DT    Journalism    NIU
Max Scharping    LT    Kinesiology    NIU
Jaden Huff    LB    Finance     St. Cloud State
Jonathan Parker     CB    Business     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.

HALL CALL: Huskie football greats, Steve Azar and Garrett Wolfe, will be inducted into the NIU 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.

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 opens MAC play next week when the Huskies play host to Kent State.





 
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Players Mentioned

Kenny Golladay

#19 Kenny Golladay

WR
6' 4"
Redshirt Senior
Drew Hare

#12 Drew Hare

QB
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Aregeros Turner

#22 Aregeros Turner

WR
5' 11"
Senior
Matt Ference

#36 Matt Ference

P
5' 11"
Freshman
Weston Kramer

#55 Weston Kramer

DT
6' 1"
Freshman
Matt Lorbeck

#41 Matt Lorbeck

DE
6' 3"
Freshman
Dennis Robinson

#83 Dennis Robinson

WR
6' 5"
Freshman
D.J. Brown

#10 D.J. Brown

WR
5' 9"
Junior
Jackson Abresch

#13 Jackson Abresch

S
6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
Christian Blake

#4 Christian Blake

WR
6' 1"
Senior
Chad Beebe

#82 Chad Beebe

WR
5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
Marcus Childers

#15 Marcus Childers

QB
6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman

Players Mentioned

Kenny Golladay

#19 Kenny Golladay

6' 4"
Redshirt Senior
WR
Drew Hare

#12 Drew Hare

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
QB
Aregeros Turner

#22 Aregeros Turner

5' 11"
Senior
WR
Matt Ference

#36 Matt Ference

5' 11"
Freshman
P
Weston Kramer

#55 Weston Kramer

6' 1"
Freshman
DT
Matt Lorbeck

#41 Matt Lorbeck

6' 3"
Freshman
DE
Dennis Robinson

#83 Dennis Robinson

6' 5"
Freshman
WR
D.J. Brown

#10 D.J. Brown

5' 9"
Junior
WR
Jackson Abresch

#13 Jackson Abresch

6' 1"
Redshirt Senior
S
Christian Blake

#4 Christian Blake

6' 1"
Senior
WR
Chad Beebe

#82 Chad Beebe

5' 10"
Redshirt Senior
WR
Marcus Childers

#15 Marcus Childers

6' 0"
Redshirt Freshman
QB