Football | August 2

The Northern Illinois University football team completed their third day of preseason camp on Friday as the Huskies were once again split into two groups. The Huskies worked on some 11 on 11 drills before getting into position groups where the lineman ran blocking drills and the receivers practiced route running against the secondary.

"I thought the [early] practice today was very sharp and crisp," head coach Thomas Hammock said. "The guys stayed up and worked together and smartly. The second practice wasn't as crisp, and we had some new guys in there working through some things. The 'problem' is our D-line has been wrecking practice. I like the intensity and the effort as guys are learning."

The special teams unit was on full display during the crossover practice period Friday as kickers and punters worked with their unit.

"We've been focusing on the whole roster and teaching the fundamentals," special teams coordinator Adam Breske said." "I think guys have been doing a really good job, the specialists individually have been working on their own a lot more. It's been good to get the whole roster learning what we are teaching."

The Huskies return punter Tom Foley, who is heading into his sixth and final collegiate season and also serves as the holder on placekicks. Kickers Kanon Woodill and Jake Seibert as well as long snapper Isaac Hatfield, are all back, giving NIU experience throughout the unit.  

"The offseason has been really good so far and we've been putting in a lot of work on our own," Foley said. "We are working on progressing as a unit in camp. This will be my last go around so I'll be giving it my all and it's been going pretty good so far."
Woodill, Foley and Hatfield played in all 13 games last season to help the Huskies and played a big role in the Camellia Bowl victory with a memorable Foley to Woodill touchdown "pass".

"I like our specialists a lot and we've got a veteran group," Hammock said. "Those guys are executing and know how to work. They all put in a lot of time this summer to get better and improve at their craft. Now it's just making sure the other guys on their units are going out there and executing to the best of their ability."

Foley averaged 40.6 yards per punt in 2023 in his second season with punting duties and holding duties. Woodill made 11-of-17, including 9-of-10 from inside 40 yards, and was perfect on 27 PATs. Seibert made two field goals and handled most of the
kickoff duties with 49 kickoffs in 2023.

Hatfield is a redshirt junior who played in every game for NIU over the last two seasons.

"We've got experience across the board, between the snapper, kicker, punter and holder," Breske said. "We have a lot of guys that are competing, and they have been a joy to work with this summer."

The Huskies return to the field for the first full team practice of the season on Saturday.

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