Offensive Strengths
The Huskies have a long history of good tailbacks and Thomas Hammock has been added to that list. Smallish in height at 5?8?? but powerful in stature at 214 pounds, the senior has averaged 109-yards per game in his last twenty outings. Behind Hammock in the depth chart is Michael Turner (5?10?? 217), who is a top-5 running back in the MAC this year, but is a backup on this team. In the past two years as a backup, Tuner has rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 10 TDs. NIU has an army of quality players at tailback which also includes DuJuan Johnson, Jon Lanum, Robert Wallace & Kevin Woods. Obviously these young men have talent, but you don?t have this kind of success without a quality line. Northern Illinois has an offensive that should be one of the MAC?s best this year. Four starters return to the trenches led by Tim Vincent (6?6?? 299), Mark Orszula (6?7?? 302), Shaun Schroeder (6?2?? 288) & Todd Ghilani (6?3?? 288). There is quality depth with Joel Ellis (6?5?? 308), Graham Sleight (6?3?? 310) & Noah Washington (6?3?? 302). PJ Fleck is an all-purpose threat that will excel now that he is the main returning WR. Once again, there is good depth at this position with returning wideouts Mike Archie (6?2?? 195), Keith Perry (6?3?? 221), Turner Pugh (6?1?? 184) & Dan Sheldon (5?9?? 163). TE Matt Dunker (6?5?? 241) and FB James Johnson (5?10?? 242) excel at their respected positions.
Offensive Concerns
There is a huge concern at QB for Northern Illinois. Chris Finlen was not flashy but did direct NIU to two straight winning seasons, throw for over 6,500 yards and 42 TDs in his career. Josh Haldi (6?2?? 194) seems to be the heir apparent, but Novak & Company realizes that the signal caller position on this team is still wide open. Although the new quarterback does not need to be a superstar, he does need to make plays. Also in the running is Kyle Padia (6?3?? 211), Joe Stamm (6?1?? 185) & Ryan Golbert (6?4?? 195). A starting QB may not be announced until just a few days prior to the Wake Forest home opener. NIU lost some quality players to graduation that will be difficult to replace. Darrell Hill was big, fast, and a true playmaker who has now taken his talents to the NFL. OL John Pederson and FB Alan Hood will be missed as well.
Defensive Strengths
According to veteran coach Joe Novak, "our biggest strength will be our defense. This should be our best defensive unit since I?ve been here." NIU returns nine starters and 21 letter-winners from a defense that ranked in the middle of most MAC defensive categories in 2001. The Huskies have the best returning DBs in the MAC. 1st team All-MAC performer Vince Thompson (5?10?? 178) and Randee Drew (5?9?? 176) return along with both safeties, Akil Grant (5?10?? 187) & Lionel Hickenbottom (6?0?? 192). This unit posted 17 INTs last fall and although some of these players lack some size, they make up for it in speed and hitting abilities. Nick Duffy (6?2?? 232) leads a very strong group of LBs, which includes Larry Williams (6?0?? 231), Brian Atkinson (6?2?? 218), Jason Hutton (6?1?? 232) and Jason Hawkins (6?2?? 237). There is a lot of size and athletic ability along the defensive line. Charles Johnson (6?2?? 293), Leonard Cooksey (6?1?? 280), Justin McIntyre (6?0?? 295), Anthony Falbo (6?3?? 273) & Jason Banks (6?2?? 273) offer some serious run stopping stuffers. On the ends, Jason Frank (6?6?? 245) looks for a breakout season while Quince Holman (6?3?? 238), Travis Moore (6?1?? 232) & Vince Reynolds (6?1?229) brings along a lot of speed for opposing offenses to contend with.
Defensive Concerns
Although NIU returns nine starters, they did graduate three quality DTs in Jon Peters and Rashad Walker & DE Trent Clement. Also, the Huskie "D" was inconsistent at times. Case and point, this bend-but-not-break defense did score four TDs on their own, but gave up 386-yards and 27-points per game. The defensive backs are good cover corners with speed, but lack size in the red zone against bigger receivers looking for a "jump ball" in the end zone. Overall depth within the interior line is a major concern since NIU is extremely thin at the DT/NG position.
Special Teams
Northern Illinois should have some of the best special teams play in the MAC. Steve Azar returns at place kicker and is a legit All-American candidate. In two years as the PK, Azar has hit on 96% of his PATs and 83% of his FGs. Jimmy Erwin is a very good punter averaging 42-yards per boot. At 6?0?? 223, he has booted 15 punts inside of the opposition?s 20-ayrd line. NIU was #2 in the MAC and #24 nationally in kickoff returns. NIU blocked seven kicks last year.
Overview
When you return 18 of your top 24 players, 45 letter winners, and some of the MAC?s best position units (OL, RB, LB, DB), obviously optimism will be high. First off, I am a big Novak fan. When he took over this program, they were in the midst of a 23-game losing streak from 1996-98 and considered by many to be division IA?s worst program. He did it with high quality and consistent recruiting efforts and developing depth along the way. Now the school has had two straight winning season, and last year, shared the West division title with Toledo & Ball State. Come-from-behind victories over CMU, WMU, South Florida and nearly winning at Illinois prove this team is no longer a patsy. Now comes time for the ultimate vindication for Novak and his staff, a divisional championship and a bowl birth. This would be NIU?s first bowl bid since beating Fullerton State in 1983. Two glaring problems are staring the Huskies in the eye that may prohibit them from accomplishing this task. The first is the obvious, who is the quarterback and how good will this person be? No one has that answer until the season starts. The second is the depth along the defensive line. If the starters can last all twelve games with few if any injuries, the Huskies will be in the thick of things until the final bell. If not, the rush defense will suffer, and so will chances at a MAC West championship. I like this team to go to the wire and with a few breaks, may win the West. The best probability though is that NIU falls just short, finishing 2nd or 3rd in the division.
Schedule
NIU has a schedule to succeed. OOC games are hosting Wake Forest (a 38-35 setback on the road last year), and Western Illinois. South Florida and Wisconsin are manageable road games. Crossover games are Kent State and @Miami. Within the West, NIU gets BG & Toledo at home, but travels to BSU & WMU. Overall, this is one of the better schedules to control your destiny within your division.
Omar's View = 8-4; wins against Wake, @USF, WIU, Kent St, CMU, BG, @EMU & Toledo; losses @Wisconsin, @Ball St, @Miami, @WMU.
BOLD PREDICTION If Northern Illinois opens the season with wins over Wake Forest and South Florida; don?t be too surprised if they beat Wisconsin in Madison.
Pivotal Game:
Bowling Green (11/9/02): This just might be the showdown for the 2002 MAC West title. Hopefully the Huskies will draw better crowds this year. This program deserves much better support.
The Huskies have a long history of good tailbacks and Thomas Hammock has been added to that list. Smallish in height at 5?8?? but powerful in stature at 214 pounds, the senior has averaged 109-yards per game in his last twenty outings. Behind Hammock in the depth chart is Michael Turner (5?10?? 217), who is a top-5 running back in the MAC this year, but is a backup on this team. In the past two years as a backup, Tuner has rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and 10 TDs. NIU has an army of quality players at tailback which also includes DuJuan Johnson, Jon Lanum, Robert Wallace & Kevin Woods. Obviously these young men have talent, but you don?t have this kind of success without a quality line. Northern Illinois has an offensive that should be one of the MAC?s best this year. Four starters return to the trenches led by Tim Vincent (6?6?? 299), Mark Orszula (6?7?? 302), Shaun Schroeder (6?2?? 288) & Todd Ghilani (6?3?? 288). There is quality depth with Joel Ellis (6?5?? 308), Graham Sleight (6?3?? 310) & Noah Washington (6?3?? 302). PJ Fleck is an all-purpose threat that will excel now that he is the main returning WR. Once again, there is good depth at this position with returning wideouts Mike Archie (6?2?? 195), Keith Perry (6?3?? 221), Turner Pugh (6?1?? 184) & Dan Sheldon (5?9?? 163). TE Matt Dunker (6?5?? 241) and FB James Johnson (5?10?? 242) excel at their respected positions.
Offensive Concerns
There is a huge concern at QB for Northern Illinois. Chris Finlen was not flashy but did direct NIU to two straight winning seasons, throw for over 6,500 yards and 42 TDs in his career. Josh Haldi (6?2?? 194) seems to be the heir apparent, but Novak & Company realizes that the signal caller position on this team is still wide open. Although the new quarterback does not need to be a superstar, he does need to make plays. Also in the running is Kyle Padia (6?3?? 211), Joe Stamm (6?1?? 185) & Ryan Golbert (6?4?? 195). A starting QB may not be announced until just a few days prior to the Wake Forest home opener. NIU lost some quality players to graduation that will be difficult to replace. Darrell Hill was big, fast, and a true playmaker who has now taken his talents to the NFL. OL John Pederson and FB Alan Hood will be missed as well.
Defensive Strengths
According to veteran coach Joe Novak, "our biggest strength will be our defense. This should be our best defensive unit since I?ve been here." NIU returns nine starters and 21 letter-winners from a defense that ranked in the middle of most MAC defensive categories in 2001. The Huskies have the best returning DBs in the MAC. 1st team All-MAC performer Vince Thompson (5?10?? 178) and Randee Drew (5?9?? 176) return along with both safeties, Akil Grant (5?10?? 187) & Lionel Hickenbottom (6?0?? 192). This unit posted 17 INTs last fall and although some of these players lack some size, they make up for it in speed and hitting abilities. Nick Duffy (6?2?? 232) leads a very strong group of LBs, which includes Larry Williams (6?0?? 231), Brian Atkinson (6?2?? 218), Jason Hutton (6?1?? 232) and Jason Hawkins (6?2?? 237). There is a lot of size and athletic ability along the defensive line. Charles Johnson (6?2?? 293), Leonard Cooksey (6?1?? 280), Justin McIntyre (6?0?? 295), Anthony Falbo (6?3?? 273) & Jason Banks (6?2?? 273) offer some serious run stopping stuffers. On the ends, Jason Frank (6?6?? 245) looks for a breakout season while Quince Holman (6?3?? 238), Travis Moore (6?1?? 232) & Vince Reynolds (6?1?229) brings along a lot of speed for opposing offenses to contend with.
Defensive Concerns
Although NIU returns nine starters, they did graduate three quality DTs in Jon Peters and Rashad Walker & DE Trent Clement. Also, the Huskie "D" was inconsistent at times. Case and point, this bend-but-not-break defense did score four TDs on their own, but gave up 386-yards and 27-points per game. The defensive backs are good cover corners with speed, but lack size in the red zone against bigger receivers looking for a "jump ball" in the end zone. Overall depth within the interior line is a major concern since NIU is extremely thin at the DT/NG position.
Special Teams
Northern Illinois should have some of the best special teams play in the MAC. Steve Azar returns at place kicker and is a legit All-American candidate. In two years as the PK, Azar has hit on 96% of his PATs and 83% of his FGs. Jimmy Erwin is a very good punter averaging 42-yards per boot. At 6?0?? 223, he has booted 15 punts inside of the opposition?s 20-ayrd line. NIU was #2 in the MAC and #24 nationally in kickoff returns. NIU blocked seven kicks last year.
Overview
When you return 18 of your top 24 players, 45 letter winners, and some of the MAC?s best position units (OL, RB, LB, DB), obviously optimism will be high. First off, I am a big Novak fan. When he took over this program, they were in the midst of a 23-game losing streak from 1996-98 and considered by many to be division IA?s worst program. He did it with high quality and consistent recruiting efforts and developing depth along the way. Now the school has had two straight winning season, and last year, shared the West division title with Toledo & Ball State. Come-from-behind victories over CMU, WMU, South Florida and nearly winning at Illinois prove this team is no longer a patsy. Now comes time for the ultimate vindication for Novak and his staff, a divisional championship and a bowl birth. This would be NIU?s first bowl bid since beating Fullerton State in 1983. Two glaring problems are staring the Huskies in the eye that may prohibit them from accomplishing this task. The first is the obvious, who is the quarterback and how good will this person be? No one has that answer until the season starts. The second is the depth along the defensive line. If the starters can last all twelve games with few if any injuries, the Huskies will be in the thick of things until the final bell. If not, the rush defense will suffer, and so will chances at a MAC West championship. I like this team to go to the wire and with a few breaks, may win the West. The best probability though is that NIU falls just short, finishing 2nd or 3rd in the division.
Schedule
NIU has a schedule to succeed. OOC games are hosting Wake Forest (a 38-35 setback on the road last year), and Western Illinois. South Florida and Wisconsin are manageable road games. Crossover games are Kent State and @Miami. Within the West, NIU gets BG & Toledo at home, but travels to BSU & WMU. Overall, this is one of the better schedules to control your destiny within your division.
Omar's View = 8-4; wins against Wake, @USF, WIU, Kent St, CMU, BG, @EMU & Toledo; losses @Wisconsin, @Ball St, @Miami, @WMU.
BOLD PREDICTION If Northern Illinois opens the season with wins over Wake Forest and South Florida; don?t be too surprised if they beat Wisconsin in Madison.
Pivotal Game:
Bowling Green (11/9/02): This just might be the showdown for the 2002 MAC West title. Hopefully the Huskies will draw better crowds this year. This program deserves much better support.
