DEKALB, Ill. – A day after Saturday's extended scrimmage, the Northern Illinois University football team was back on the practice field Sunday afternoon at Huskie Stadium.
 
The Huskies turned in a light but fast-paced workout for just under two hours in front of crowd on Family Fun Day. NIU head coach Thomas Hammock and his staff had the squad clean up some of the miscues from Saturday's scrimmage before the team broke down into individual drills.
 
After a couple team sessions, the Huskies spent all but the final two periods of practice, focusing on special teams. After NIU's punters spent a few minutes stretching their legs booming punts, the Huskies worked on onside kicks and various other special-teams related drills.
 
"We're still trying to evaluate the personnel so we're not using so many starters on special teams unit," Hammock said. "We're trying to find a core group of guys - seven, eight guys, that can be three or fourth phase special teams guys that can help us. So we still have a couple of spots we need to shore up, but we're moving in the right direction."
 
One spot the Huskies are not looking to shore up is punter.
 
"Matt [Ference] is obviously our punter," said NIU running backs/special teams coordinator Atif Austin. "He does a great job and I feel confident in what he can do. His teammates feel confident in what he can do."
 
Ference booted all 86 punts for the Huskies last year, landing 32 inside the 20, for a 40.4 per punt average. He is now the experienced veteran in the room and has had to take on more of a leadership role this season.
 
"It's a bit different from being a freshman to now a junior and the oldest in the group," Ference. "It's more responsibility and I have to tell the guys what to do during practice and show them how to watch film. It's a lot different from being told what to do two years ago."
 
One of the battles going on in camp is at placekicker between John Richardson and Jimmy Lowery. Through the first two weeks of camp the edge has been with Richardson, who redshirted last year. He did see some game action last year with 12 kickoffs for an average of 62.2 yards and four touchbacks.
 
"John has got a strong leg and he works really hard," Austin said. "Right now, I would say he's our No. 1 guy right now. He's put in the work. He had a great offseason. He's got pretty good range. He's the most consistent kicker we have right now. It's going to take some of the young guys a little while to get there."
 
The Huskies have also been auditioning returners in camp. DeKalb native Cole Tucker is the only Huskie on the roster with punt return experience as the sophomore wide receiver tallied 17 returns for 69 yards last year. Tailbacks Marcus Jones and Jordan Nettles and freshman Michael Love have been fielding punts and kickoffs as well.
 
"We'll see how things unfold as far as returners," Austin said. "We don't have a starter back there yet, but we're training those guys up and seeing who will make the right decisions on gameday."
 
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, including the ability to purchase tickets at those rates for additional people. 
 
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.
 
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