DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Huskies go into the season opener at Georgia Tech on September 4 without a single quarterback on the 2021 roster who has thrown, let alone completed, a pass in a game for NIU.
 
Yet, neither head coach Thomas Hammock nor NIU quarterback coach Eric Eidsness, who said he has never entered a season in that situation in his 20-plus years as an offensive coordinator, are the least bit concerned thanks primarily to the presence and progress of junior transfer Rocky Lombardi (Clive, Iowa/Valley HS) and 2021 freshman Ethan Hampton (Elburn, Ill./Aurora Christian HS).
 
Lombardi transferred to NIU in January from Michigan State, where he completed 159 passes for more than 1,900 yards in 22 games from 2018-20, including guiding the Spartans to wins over No. 13 Michigan and Northwestern last year. Hampton, an All-State quarterback in 2019 for Aurora Christian, enrolled at NIU in January and has already shown maturity beyond his years while claiming the back-up quarterback spot.
 
"I've never gone into a season with that situation (no experience at the school), but it doesn't make me uncomfortable," Eidsness said. "These guys have worked hard, they're ready to play and I'm excited for their opportunity to get out and do it. There will be plenty of completions for them as they move forward."
 
Hammock also promised that Huskie fans would not have to wait long for that note to become a thing of the past.
 
"[Rocky] will complete a pass very early on September 4th," Hammock said. "I like our quarterback room. Rocky has come in and been the type of player that we need him to be. He's an extension of the coaching staff. He handles all the checks, he gets guys lined up, he gets everybody aligned and he's the leader out there.  
 
"Ethan is the back-up, he made it interesting for us all summer, but he is a guy that, when called upon, he will be ready. He has the ability, his knowledge of the game is there, his presence is impressive as a freshman, he carries himself the right way and he throws a heckuva ball."
 
The only quarterback on the NIU roster to take a snap in a game for the Huskies is second-year player Dustin Fletcher (Flint, Mich./Carman Ainsworth HS), who was thrown into the fray as a true freshman in the final three games a year ago and used primarily as a runner. He ran 16 times for 99 yards on the season and was sacked on his lone pass attempt which erased the throw from the official stats.
 
"Dustin last year showed his ability to run and do some things that way, he's a confident kid, he does lead well and he's improving in his reads," Eidsness said. "What he did last year in gaining experience, getting those reps, that was very valuable and he's continuing to build on that."
 
Newcomers Ryan Yost (Medford, N.J./Holy Spirit HS), a transfer from Wagner College, and freshman Jeffery Lomax (Elgin, Ill./Elgin HS) make up the rest of the quarterback room for NIU.   
 
Physically, all five Huskie quarterbacks are imposing with each standing at least 6-3. But it is in the mental aspect of the game and their leadership of the offense where Eidsness has seen the biggest strides.
 
"It's been really exciting to see the development," he said. "From where they ended [after] spring practice, to the work over the summer, to where they are now. We've seen a lot more maturity, calmness running the system, ability to get us into the right play, ability to make sure guys are lined up correctly. They are really taking charge and instead of just out there running the play, they're really running your system. When you see players take over and have a true understanding of it, that's what you want to get to, and to see guys do that is really gratifying.
 
"Everybody has physical talents and you're always going to try to sharpen those, but what can put you ahead is the mental piece," Eidsness continued. "If you just have physical ability and you don't match it with the mental piece, you're going to struggle to be consistent, but where you can really become great is when you can take the mental part of this and really change the game."
 
With the Huskies moving closer and closer to game week preparation, practices also have become more "game-like" with coordinators calling plays from the press box, personnel groups moving on and off the field and all coaches and players remaining on the sidelines. In addition, more special teams periods have been inserted into practice, with kickoff or punt periods breaking up the scrimmage sessions more frequently. That was evident in Wednesday morning's workout, which Hammock called "excellent."
 
"Today was an excellent practice," Hammock said. "During a game, you're going to give up some plays, you're going to make some plays.  We want to see how they handle the ebb and flow of the game, how do you handle momentum. [Players] have to figure those things out on their own in a game."  
 
After opening the season at Georgia Tech, the Huskie football team plays its first of six 2021 home games on Saturday, Sept. 11 versus Wyoming. Kickoff for the Welcome Back Fans game honoring First Responders and Heroes is at 12:30 p.m. (CT). 
 
Single game and season tickets, as well as mini-plans and Family Packs, are on sale with season ticket prices as low as $85. Purchase a minimum of four tickets for all six games via the Family Pack for just $90 per ticket (in sections B and F) or $66 per ticket (in sections A and G). Three-game or four-game mini-plans are also available with Mission's 3-Game Mini-Plan priced at $79 (including processing), while Victor E.'s 4-Game Mini-Plan is $107. Single game ticket prices vary depending on location and game (Saturday or MACtion). In 2021, the cost of parking in the NIU Convocation Center is included in the price of tickets, making Huskie Football tickets an even greater value than ever before.
 
To see all the ticket options and prices for football and volleyball, and for more information on premium seating options at Huskie Stadium, go to NIUHuskies.com. To purchase tickets, call 815-753-PACK (7225) or go to NIUHuskies.com/MyHuskies.
 
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