DeKalb, Ill. – Two weeks away from kickoff of the 2019 Northern Illinois University football season opener versus intrastate foe Illinois State in Huskie Stadium, new NIU head coach Thomas Hammock put the Huskies through a two-and-a-half hour practice in full pads Saturday with the last hour spent in scrimmage situations.
 
Following the work out, Hammock said he was pleased with the Huskies' progress to date.
 
"I feel good about where we are," Hammock said. "Today, I think both sides had their moments. We sat some guys today to keep healthy and get ready for Illinois State, but I loved the give and take on both sides of the ball and I loved the energy. [We didn't have] a whole lot of turnovers on offense, which is good. Obviously some guys made some plays. We completed a couple nice balls down the field. As far as the defense, I've got to be able to watch it before I make an honest assessment."
 
After starting the scrimmage periods with third down situations, Hammock put the offense just outside the red zone, at the opponents' 25 for four possessions, before forcing the offense to start on its own 25 and attempt to put together 75-yard drives. 
 
The Huskie defense was able to force a couple of field goal tries in the "overtime" periods before the offense found the end zone via a Marcus Childers to Mohamed Toure connection and a Marcus Jones touchdown run. The offense also drove 74 yards to the one on its first long drive before the defense came up with a goal line stop on fourth down, and senior safety Adam Buirge recorded an interception to stop the next drive. 
 
Senior Spencer Tears connected with Childers on a long touchdown pass and then Childers scored on a one-yard run. The defense also got pass break-ups from freshmen defensive backs Mark Aitken and Justin Clark and sophomore Devin Haney during the scrimmage.
 
"We have some guys that missed a couple days, and everybody's coming back healthy," Hammock said. "It was nice to see Spencer Tears make some plays in the scrimmage. I thought the protection was solid for the most part. I thought the quarterbacks had a nice pocket to throw the ball, and you saw receivers making plays, so I feel good about where we're going on offense."
 
Hammock also liked the way the Huskies responded to weather situations which forced them to move inside to the Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center for nearly an hour.  During the indoor period, NIU got nearly 30 minutes of special teams work in addition to seven-on-seven drills.
 
"We had a rain delay and they stayed focused, stayed locked in," Hammock said. "We went inside, back outside, and I liked everything that happened. The one thing about football, you want to see how people respond to adversity. That's the one thing you can't get in training camp that you can get in the game. How are we going to react? How are we going to respond? They've done everything we've asked them to do and then some. From a team perspective and a morale perspective, I feel great. But obviously, if there's some adversity, we have to respond the right way."
 
The Huskies have one week of training camp remaining before NIU classes begin on August 26. With competition intensifying, Hammock likes the way his 2019 team is shaping up and the identity they are forging.

"I like where our defense is at. I like where our offense is," he said. "We're physical on both sides of the ball. We're going to try to be physical up front.  On offense we want to take our shots when they present themselves, and we want to make big plays on defense. I like the leadership. I like the young guys. . I think we have depth. We've got a nice mix of guys that can come in and help us. You know, it's up to us as coaches to find the right mix where we can win games."
 
On Sunday, NIU will hold an open practice beginning at 2:30 p.m. and host its annual Family Fun Day, which is free and open to the public. Fans are invited to sit in the West Stands of Huskie Stadium and enjoy practice while kids can play on the Huskie inflatables which will be set up in the North End Zone.  Following practice, the NIU players will be available for autographs.
 
Season Tickets for all five 2019 NIU home games are still available, starting at as little as $60 for an East Side (general admission) season ticket. Purchase four tickets for family or a group of friends on either the East or West Side for as little as $55 or $75 per person with the Huskie Family Pack. 
 
Three-game Mini-Plans, which include a choice of any two Saturday and either #MACtion (weeknight) game are just $70 each for all three games, while the new Huskie Flex Pass offers the chance to purchase a minimum of five tickets to any game or combination of games for $75, or just $15 each. The new Saturdays Special includes a ticket to all three Saturday home games as well as a voucher good for a hot dog, chips and a soda for each game for just $110.
 
To renew or purchase new season tickets and #JointhePack for 2019, click the links above, which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tickets are also available by calling 815-753-PACK (7225), emailing huskiestickets@niu.edu or stopping by the NIU Athletics Ticket Office in the Convocation Center, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
-- NIU --