Football | August 12

DeKalb, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University football team was back at work Monday morning at Huskie Stadium for the team's 11th practice of fall camp.

Monday's 11-on-11 action in practice highlighted the offensive line. NIU's O-line returns a lot of experience up front on the offensive line in 2024 with a combined 172 games and 114 starts among the starting five, a group that includes four seniors. The Huskies line up front was a critical part of the offense, helping running back Antario Brown rush for 1,296 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2023 while allowing opponents just 16 quarterback sacks .

"I expect them to be mature and to be men," said offensive line coach Luke Meadows, the newest member of NIU's coaching staff. "The good news is when you have five senior offensive lineman and a few that have been here for six years, you can rely on them to set the culture and hold the rest of the group accountable and help the coach."

Three Huskie offensive linemen have been named preseason All-MAC. Guard John Champe, center Logan Zschernitz and tackle J.J. Lippe were all named to the preseason All-MAC Second Team by Athlon.

"I love that group, they are the heart and soul of our offense," NIU head coach Thomas Hammock said. "There's a lot of experience up front and they know how to execute at a high level and how to be physical."

Lippe and Champe played all 13 games last season while Evan Buss, sophomore Evan Malcore and Zschernitz all started games for the Huskies in 2023. Champe has played 45 games in his Huskie career while Lippe has played in 36 and started 33 for NIU. Buss has also played in 36 games across his NIU career. Zschernitz, who missed part of the 2023 season due to injury, moves into the starting center role for 2024.

"J.J. Lippe is an outstanding leader for us. Logan Zschernitz is more of a leader by example," Hammock said. "We have some other guys that just lead by knowing how to do their job in John Champe, Evan Buss and Evan Malcore. We have a lot of continuity up front and they have been a joy to coach."

The Huskies have 10 redshirt and true freshman linemen who have been learning behind those leaders in camp with Malcore and Abiathar Curry the lone sophomores. Izuchukwu Ozoh, a converted tight end, is the lone junior offensive lineman.

"I think practice has been great," Lippe said. "It's been very physical up front, which has made us better both offensively and defensively. I think the veteran leadership on both sides has been good and we have improved a lot as a unit."

After the 11-on-11 work during Monday's practice, the Huskie field goal unit took attempts from varying distances before the Huskies closed practice with more 11-on-11 periods.

NIU returns to the practice field for day 12 on Wednesday, Aug. 14.

The Huskies open the 2024 season at Huskie Stadium on Saturday, August 31 against Western Illinois. Check out all of the ticket options and buy tickets anytime online at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies. To request more information and connect with a member of the NIU ticket staff, click here or call the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225). Calls received outside of business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm CT) will be returned the next business day. 
 
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