DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University football team wrapped up its first week of fall camp with the Huskies' final scheduled early morning practice at Huskie Stadium Thursday.
 
Thursday was also the first day in full pads for NIU. The Huskies worked out for two hours and added a few more team periods than in previous practices. NIU head coach Rod Carey is pleased with the progress the team has made through week one.
 
"It was the last day of acclimation, so it was good to get our pads on and see how they respond," Carey said. "I think there were a lot of positives out there. I think we're coming along on both sides, but at the same time, we have a long way to go in all three phases."
 
The Huskies moved through the early part of practice rapidly, operating in four-minute periods for individual and special teams work. Carey stressed turning in as many reps as possible during those shorter periods. Once the offense and defense joined up at practice, the Huskies returned to their normal five-minute sessions.
 
The defense still holds the upperhand at practice, as it always does in the early going of any camp. Cornerback Jalen Embry (Detroit, Mich./Martin Luther King) and safeties Adam Buirge (Minneapolis, Minn./Park Center) and Dillon Thomas (Kansas City, Mo./Park Hill South) each recorded interceptions on the day.
 
However, the offense did have its moments Thursday as well. Quarterback Marcus Childers' (Adairsville, Ga./Adairsville) deep ball continues to improve in camp. He connected with Spencer Tears (Chicago, Ill./H.L. Richards) on a long touchdown and a pair of throws down field during team and pass skelly periods as well.
 
The Huskies return to the practice field Friday afternoon with the team hitting the field at 3:30 p.m. to start week two of camp. The expectation for the Huskies for Friday and beyond is to sharpen what they've learned.
 
"Most of the install is in, now it's going to be about execution and repetition," Carey said. "Now we've got to see things get cleaned up."
 
The Huskies kick off the 2018 campaign at Iowa Saturday, Sept. 1 and will welcome Utah the following weekend to Huskie Stadium. Season ticket packages start as low as $55 in 2018 with the Huskie Stadium Family Pack (four tickets for $220), while a general admission ticket on the East Side is only $60. Mini-plans were introduced last week. Fans can pick two Saturday games and one midweek MACtion game for $70. Season tickets for all five 2018 NIU home football games are on sale NOW online at NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).
 
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