DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University football team returned to Brigham Field to open the second week of spring football practices Saturday morning as the team worked out for two hours in full pads with officials on hand for the first time this spring.
 
The offense started strong early, with tailback Harrison Waylee (Johnston, Iowa/Urbandale HS) going for a 60-plus yard touchdown run on the first play of 11-on-11 work and quarterback Rocky Lombardi (Clive, Iowa/Valley HS/Michigan State) hitting Mohamed Toure (Irvington, N.J./Irvington HS) with a deep ball on the next play. 
 
When the action shifted to third down situations later in practice, the tables began to turn as the offense and defense each "won" their share of plays. Offensively, Lombardi hit tight end Liam Soraghan (Dearborn, Mich./Divine Child HS) and receiver Messiah Travis (Chicago, Ill./Solorio Academy) with long passes, while Trayvon Rudolph (Crete, Ill./Crete-Monee HS) could not be caught on an end around. The defense came through with sacks by Jeffrey Griffin Jr. (Homewood, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor HS) and Devonte O'Malley (Midlothian, Ill./Bremen HS).
 
In the final "move the ball" team period, O'Malley caused havoc with a tackle for loss and a sack, while Waylee showed he was still fresh nearly two hours into the workout with a pair of first down runs.
 
Overall, Hammock called the scored practice "too close to call" and loved the competitiveness he's seen not just Saturday but throughout spring drills.
 
"We've had some of the most competitive practices we've had since I've been here," Hammock said.  "There's been good spirit, great energy. We want to make practice as competitive as possible and create urgency. In spring, you're really competing offense versus defense. We are so much stronger – physically - that sometimes we have to hold them back. It's been fun. We're getting better every day."
 
More Notes from Saturday's Workout
 
To the Victors Go…
Saturday's session was the first scored practice with a consequence. The winning team (either offense or defense) would determine what the losing team would do for conditioning at the next practice.
 
"We'll go look at the film and let them know in about two hours," Hammock said. "It will be interesting to see what they choose, knowing they could be on the other side of it the next time."
 
Third Down Emphasis
In approximately 15 third down plays, the defense appeared to have a slight edge in winning plays as the defensive line came through for multiple "sacks" (although the quarterbacks, in red, were not tackled). It was the first time this spring NIU has done sustained third down periods, Hammock said.
 
Looking Good
Waylee is one of several players Hammock mentioned as having stand out spring so far.  The second-year freshman has "broken a 60-yard run every practice," according to Hammock.  Among the others who have caught the coach's eye are defensive end Raishein Thomas (Racine, Wis./Washington Park HS), linebacker Kyle Pugh (Chicago Heights, Ill./Bloom Township HS) and wide receiver Tyrice Richie (Chicago, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor HS). 
 
Kick It Up
At the end of every practice this spring, Hammock has called the team together to the middle of the field. Before he addresses them though, the players "kick it up" by tapping their shoes together.  It's a way to reinforce that although the competition on the field can get intense and physical, at the end of the day, they are all Huskies.
 
"I knew spring would be intense after seeing the offseason workouts," Hammock said. "There are going to be scuffles and spats – today some guys got into it there at the end [of practice].  At the end of the day, we come together as one team, one family and we kick it up.  We were going to do two lines and slap hands, but we want to be Covid safe, so we just go through and tap our cleats."   
 
For more on 2021 NIU Football spring practices, visit Spring Central 2021 on NIUHuskies.com which will be updated with links to stories, videos and more. 
 
On April 10, fans are invited to Huskie Stadium for the 2021 NIU Football Spring Showcase. The Showcase will provide an opportunity to see the team scrimmage with an on-field emcee proving commentary and on-field interviews. There also will be a player skills competition. Following practice, Hammock will address the crowd. More details on the 2021 NIU Spring Showcase, as well as 2021 season ticket information, will be available soon.  


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