Football | August 23

DeKALB, IL - For the Northern Illinois University football team to be successful on offense, head coach Thomas Hammock said the tight end position will be critical. So far, he likes what he has seen from a deep group of veterans.
 
"We have more versatility at the position," said Hammock. "We can do more things with them in both the passing game and run game. They give us some more weapons for the quarterback. I've been pleased with the tight end position and how we've been able to use them and become more unpredictable in what they can bring to open our offense completely."
 
NIU's top returning tight end is redshirt-junior Tristen Tewes (Pleasant Plains, Ill./Pleasant Plains). Tewes had 15 receptions for 180 yards and three touchdowns in 2022, with two scores in the game at Kentucky. He averaged 12 yards per reception in his eight games played. First-year tight ends coach Cory White praised Tewes' institutional knowledge of the program and his maturity after Wednesday's practice.
 
"Tewes has really helped me, as a coach, learn the system and all the calls and variations to the plays," White said. "He's got so much game experience and he's going to be a guy that carries this football team this season."
 
The Huskies will also look for contributions from junior Drew Cassens (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) as well as junior fullback Brock Lampe (Kenosha, Wis./Bradford). Cassens caught his first career touchdown pass in the game against Toledo in 2022. Lampe proved to be a vital blocking asset in the run game a year ago as the Huskies finished second in the Mid-American Conference with 190.4 rushing yards per game. He also caught a 31-yard pass in a key touchdown-scoring drive in NIU's win at Western Michigan. Another key veteran is redshirt-sophomore Izzy Ozoh (Hazel Crest, Ill./Homewood-Flossmoor), who has developed into a scholarship player after walking on to the program.
 
"Drew Cassens has been very dependable and proven to be a quality depth guy," said White. "He can back up multiple spots with how smart he is football-wise. Brock Lampe is an amazing football player and someone who is still young in his football career. He's someone we're counting on to make huge plays this year and be a pivotal part of what we're doing."
 
A key addition to the tight end group is 6'7" junior Chris Carter (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Country Day/Howard), who comes to DeKalb after playing two seasons at Howard University. He played in 10 games for the Bison in 2022, recording eight catches for 96 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
 
"He's a great addition as a transfer," White said. "He shows a lot of versatility and is able to block and play with his hand on the ground, which we expect of our tight ends in this system. He's got great hands when you put him in the open field, but his ability to play in-line like a professional tight end is huge for our offense."
 
The Huskies practiced for two hours in full pads Wednesday morning at Huskie Stadium, dealing with not only the heat but also the humidity.
 
"The heat is always good for us in terms of checking our conditioning," Hammock said. "I thought they handled it well today. It was a very physical practice with a lot of plays and I think that only helps you in your preparation to get ready for the first game."
 
Hammock also pointed out to his team that after Wednesday's practice, the team will have to start coming together as one starting with Friday morning's practice as the Huskies start to prepare for the opening game of the season Sept. 2 at Boston College. He said the practices up to this point have been where he has wanted them to be.
 
"It was consistent every day," said Hammock. "You really have to bring your lunch pail if you play up front because they understand it's going to be a physical battle every day on both sides of the ball. I don't feel like we have had a bad day in camp. The guys came in with the right mentality to go to work, put that work in and got better as a team."
 
NIU will be back on the practice field inside the Chessick Practice Center on Friday, August 25 at 9:15 a.m.
 
Follow all the action from NIU Football preseason practices, including position previews, videos and more, go to 2023 Preseason Football Camp Central on NIUHuskies.com.
 
Season, single game and mini-plan tickets for the 2023 Huskie home games are all on sale now 24 hours a day, seven days a week online at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies or by calling the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225). Season tickets provide the best overall value at as little as $17 per game for general admission seating on the West Side of Huskie Stadium ($102 total). Sit in the same reserved seat for all six games for just $144 (sections A, B, F) or $162 (sections C, D, E). With the addition of the new Homecoming + One option, there are three "Pick Your Pack" mini-plans available, including Saturday Only and MACtion+Saturday four-game plans. See all the ticket prices and options, including premium experiences, here.
 
--NIU--