Football | March 23

DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Huskies opened 2022 spring football practice on a foggy morning at Huskie Stadium Wednesday with a veteran – yet still young – team featuring 18 returning starters from its 2021 MAC Championship squad.
 
While 18 returning starters seems like a hefty number, it gets even more impressive when adding players like third-year sophomore Harrison Waylee – who has already rushed for 1,000 career yards in just 11 games for NIU – and redshirt freshman safety Devin Lafayette, who won the starting safety job during preseason camp in 2021 but suffered a season-ending injury in the season opener at Georgia Tech.  Of course, there is also two-time All-MAC linebacker Kyle Pugh. After missing the entire 2021 campaign due to injury and playing just two games in 2019, the veteran returns to battle a host of "youngsters" for playing time.
 
After fielding the second-youngest team in the Football Bowl Subdivision a year ago, fourth year NIU head coach Thomas Hammock said he has already been impressed by the maturity of the 2022 team.
 
"The thing I see is more maturity from the guys," Hammock said. "I think they have confidence. I think they have an understanding of what we want to do on offense, defense and special teams. They can go out and execute. We have 95 guys on the roster this spring which is a lot more than normal. We were an extremely young football team last year, these guys have made strides in the weight room, they have made strides in conditioning, and they have an opportunity this spring to establish their roles for next season."
 
NIU worked for a little less than two hours in shorts and pro pads in occasional drizzle and fog, and the day included plenty of team 11-on-11 work. Nine newcomers – eight transfers and incoming freshman Trey Porter – joined the 86 returnees, including quarterback Rocky Lombardi and 2021 first team All-MAC selection C.J. Brown, who led NIU in tackles with 109 as a second-year freshman.
 
On Tuesday during a press opportunity previewing spring ball, Lombardi and cornerback Jordan Gandy said the players and staff have put 2021 behind them and are focused on 2022 and improving every day.
 
"Last year is over," Lombardi said. "We had a good year, but now it's about staying focused, making sure we take care of business.  I came here to win games and win a lot of games and I think we've got the team to do it this year."
 
"We just have to keep getting better every day at the fundamentals," Gandy said. "Things like tackling, techniques, the small things that make a difference. Continuing to work on that and our scheme and making sure everyone has a good understanding of what we're trying to do."
 
The Huskies will practice Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday this spring with the Monday and Wednesday workouts in the morning, while Fridays will be either in the morning or at 6:30 p.m. in the evening.  Saturday practices will be held at either 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Practices are open to the public with fans asked to sit in the West Stands. A complete schedule of spring practice, along with links to the roster, YouTube videos, practice reports and more, is available at 2022 Spring Football Central on NIUHuskies.com.
Tickets for the six-game NIU football home schedule are NOW on sale at NIUHuskies.com or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225) Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
 
Reserved season tickets on the West Side of Huskie Stadium are priced at $162 (sections C, D, E) or $144 (sections A, B, F, G) with general admission tickets on the East Side available for $97 each. Purchase a minimum of four reserved season tickets through the Huskie Plan for the discounted prices of $102 (sections B, F) or $88 (sections A, G) each.
 
Season ticket members can now renew their season tickets for 2022 by logging into their MyHuskies account. See the invoice available under the invoices tab, which includes the cost of tickets, parking passes and premium seating. Contact the Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) or email huskiestickets@niu.edu for questions or to receive a paper copy of the invoice.
 
To become a new season ticket member, or if you did not have season tickets in 2021, purchase tickets for the 2022 NIU Football season HERE and don't miss a minute of exciting Huskie Football action at Huskie Stadium this year.
 
"I think we're ready to get back to where we were 10 years ago when [NIU] had that run," Lombardi said. "Most importantly, we're going to have a really good team, I'm really excited about this year. If you like Huskie Football, this would be a good year for you to come out and watch us play. We're going to do some special things."
 
-- NIU --