NOTE:  Friday's scheduled 3:30 p.m. practice has been moved up to 10 a.m.. 

DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University football team completed its second week of training camp Thursday afternoon with an extended scrimmage, complete with full officiating crew. While all three facets of the team – offense, defense, and special teams – had their moments, the Huskies showed there are still some things to work on in advance of the season opener Sept. 1.
 
"It was really good to have the refs out here today," said head coach Rod Carey. "We were more scrimmage-tilted and we had a lot of penalties, so I'd rather have them in the scrimmage than in a game so we can learn from them. I'd rather not have the penalties at all, but we had them so this gives us an opportunity to learn from them."
 
After a stretch and individual work, the Huskies worked on third-and-short situations. Running Back Tre Harbison (Shelby, N.C./Crest/Virginia) converted two straight early, as did freshman Jordan Rowell (Elmhurst, Ill./Immaculate Conception) with the second unit. The defense forced two false start penalties and had an interception.
 
"It's the closest thing we can get to a game environment, with the tempo and getting the calls in and communication," said junior linebacker Kyle Pugh (Chicago Heights, Ill./Bloom Township). "It simulates the game very well."
 
The Huskies moved on to two-minute offense and late game situations. Harbison punched in a five-yard touchdown run, but the defense forced a pair of punts. Kicker Andrew Gantz (Dayton, Ohio/Centerville/Cincinnati) made two field goals, including one over 50 yards.
 
"We do a lot of situational stuff in practice, just to be game-ready," said sophomore quarterback Marcus Childers (Adairsville, Ga./Adairsville). "Today was a fun day to see how good we can move the ball. I think, as an offense, we're in a good spot but we're having way too many turnovers right now. Everybody has their good days and bad days, and the more we practice the better it's going to get".
 
"I think third-and-short, and four-minute to two-minute, was really good today," Carey added. "The team really moved the ball. There were just some situations we just didn't pay attention to. We need to become more alert, not just when you start with a situation but when one comes up. I thought we handled all that pretty well."
 
At the unofficial halfway point of training camp, Thursday's scrimmage gave NIU a chance to assess where it is at after two weeks of practice.
 
"We've put a lot on film," Pugh said. "Now it's about making the corrections, getting in better shape every day, and getting smarter and stronger."
 
Friday's practice, originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m., has been moved to 10 a.m. 
 
Full season and single game tickets, as well as three-game mini-plans, for 2018 NIU Football games are on sale now through the NIU Athletics Ticket Office in the Convocation Center, online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets and by calling 815-753-PACK (7225). Season tickets start at as little as $55 each (via the Family Pack) and mini-plans, featuring two Saturday and one #MACtion game, are $70. Single game tickets are also on sale.  See all the options here and get your tickets today.
 
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