DeKALB, Ill.  – The second day of the Northern Illinois University football team's preseason camp followed a similar script to day one as the Huskies split the squad into two segments again on Thursday morning at Huskie Stadium.  The veteran group was on the field first, followed by the developmental players, with a 30-minute overlap dedicated to special teams.
 
To the casual observer, the first two days of practice appeared similar to the way previous camps have started. However, according to NIU head coach Thomas Hammock, NCAA rule changes that allowed coaches to work with players using a football during the summer have put the Huskies ahead of schedule already.
 
"They changed the rules where you can have an opportunity to work with the young men in the summer with a football and we took full advantage of that," Hammock said. "We took a lot of time working on techniques, on fundamentals and how to be an expert at your position throughout the summer, which allowed us to be ahead of the game. We saw guys make tremendous jumps in the summer, from a football standpoint, from a football IQ, from a technique and fundamental standpoint that allows them to be in better position to make plays."
 
On the first and second day of practice, the Huskies were able to run plays in 11-on-11 situations and make accurate calls on defense – both during the veteran and young guy sessions – while in shorts and helmets.
 
"We've come out here the first two days and there are not really many errors because guys have been through it," Hammock said. "The only way to get good at football is by playing it, so we wanted to put a program in place in the summer to allow guys to continue to develop with the understanding that when we get to August, you will be a lot further ahead. I can see that they understand it, they understand what we're trying to get accomplished. Now it's about doing it against other people."
 
With the team putting on shoulder pads and practicing together for the first time on Wednesday, Hammock was pleased with the split squad approach and mentioned that there will be periods over the next several practices when the developmental group will have opportunities.
 
"We wanted to get guys valuable reps and I think we accomplished that [in the first two days]," Hammock said. "It's hard when you're not getting a lot of reps in practice. When you bring players into your program, you want to give them an opportunity to put plays on tape so that they can be evaluated and get better. I think that's important for the long term of our program. Over the course of a long season, you don't know who you're going to need."
 
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