ONE MORE PIECE OF INFO BEFORE I HEAD TO CLASS AND CHECK OUT SOME ASS AND TITTIES
DATE & TIME: Thursday, August 29th, 7:30 p.m. (et)
FACTS & STATS: Site: Huskie Stadium (31,000) -- DeKalb, Illinois Television: Local. Home Record: Wake Forest 0-0, N. Illinois 0-0. Away Record: Wake Forest 0-0, N. Illinois 0-0. Neutral Record: Wake Forest 0-0, N. Illinois 0-0. Conference Record: Wake Forest 0-0, N. Illinois 0-0. Series Record: Wake Forest leads, 1-0.
GAME NOTES: The Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the Northern Illinois Huskies clash on Thursday in DeKalb, Illinois in the season opener for both squads. The Demon Deacons went through major changes last season, including the hiring of head coach Jim Grobe. He inherited plenty of experience and led his new program to a winning record (6-5). The team played almost all of its opponents close last year, with nine of the 11 games being decided by seven points or less. Wake Forest fans are optimistic heading into the 2002 campaign, especially considering that the squad has eight starters returning on both sides of the ball. As for Northern Illinois, it tied with Toledo and Ball State for the MAC West Division title last year with a 4-1 divisional record. The Huskies finished 6-5 overall for the second consecutive year, marking the football program's first back-to-back winning seasons since 1988-90. Like Wake Forest, Northern Illinois has 16 starters back. These two programs met on the gridiron for the first time last season, a game that resulted in a 38-35 Wake Forest win.
Jim Grobe installed a more run-oriented offense in Winston-Salem last season and it paid huge dividends for the Demon Deacons as they led the league in rushing (221.6 ypg) and were fifth in total offense (390.2 ypg). While the passing attack lagged behind, ranking last in the ACC (168.5 ypg), the team still managed 26.5 ppg (seventh in the league). The rushing game was expected to take center stage again this year, but the squad will be without the services of its two top ground gainers. Senior Tarence Williams, who rushed for 1,018 yards and eight scores last season, broke his foot and is out indefinitely. Fred Staton added 583 yards and seven touchdowns in '01, but he has been forced to sit out this season due to academic problems. As a result, Nick Burney will be the primary ball carrier on Thursday. Senior quarterback James MacPherson gets the nod under center after completing 54 percent of his passes last year. He will need to cut down on the mistakes, however, as he threw for just five scores while tossing 11 interceptions. The passing game will be counted on heavily until Williams returns, and luckily the team's two receivers from a year ago are back in sophomore Jason Anderson (28 receptions, 472 yards, two touchdowns) and senior Fabian Davis (24 receptions, 306 yards, two scores). The line lost its top two performers from last season, but the three returning starters should provide adequate stability.
The Wake defense was average at best last season. Although the squad was solid against the run (140.4 ypg), huge chunks of yardage were picked up through the air (244.9 ypg) against the Demon Deacons. The team allowed 28.3 points per game in 2001, but with eight starters returning, that number should decrease this year. The defensive line has a mix of veteran leadership and young enthusiasm. The player to watch out for up front is senior end Calvin Pace. With 21 career sacks, including a team-high 10 last season, Pace is on track to become the program's all-time sack leader. The linebacking corps looks to junior Kellen Brantley to lead the way, as he finished second on the team in tackles last year (95), while tying for the lead in interceptions (three). The secondary should make some positive strides this season, as all four starters saw significant action in 2001. Diminutive corners Marcus McGruder (52 tackles, nine PBUs, three interceptions) and Eric King (55 tackles, six PBUs) play larger than their stature. Junior safety Quintin Williams (72 tackles, 11 PBUs and two interceptions) is an aggressive playmaker at safety.
With last year's signal-caller Chris Finlen gone, the Huskies place their trust in sophomore Josh Haldi, who took a total of just 20 snaps in three games last season. While Haldi has plenty to prove, his development will be aided tremendously by the team's potent running game. Led by 5-8, 214-pound tailback Thomas Hammock, Northern Illinois will once again pound away at opponents from the I-formation. Hammock has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, racking up eleven 100-yard rushing performances during that span. The senior tailback also stands 1,486 yards from breaking the school's career rushing record of 3,745 yards. The receiving corps is led by senior flanker P.J. Fleck, who caught 59 passes for 732 yards and five scores in 2001. Fleck, along with the other Husky pass-catchers, will try to account for the loss of big-play receiver and team offensive MVP Darrell "The Thrill" Hill. The Huskies look good up front, as they return eight letterman and four regulars along the offensive line.
On the defensive side of the ball, Northern Illinois returns nine starters from last season. According to head coach Joe Novak, a defense specialist, the Huskies have enough quality at linebacker and in the secondary to match up with any team in the MAC. The entire defensive backfield from last year is back, including Vince Thompson, a first team All-MAC pick who led the league in interceptions (five) and passes defended (17) in 2001. At linebacker, senior Larry Williams leads all active Huskie players with 304 stops, 32 starts and 16 double-digit hit games in 33 appearances. Williams will be joined by junior Nick Duffy, who posted a whopping 125 tackles in 2001. The trenches will be manned by a combination of experienced players and skilled newcomers, led by returning senior tackles Anthony Falbo and Eric Didesch. The two veterans combined for 90 stops, 26 QB hurries and 10 TFLs last season.
A year ago, Wake Forest barely got by Northern Illinois at home. Don't expect the Demon Deacons to be so lucky this time on the road. Although the Huskies have questions at the quarterback position, the ground game is potent and the defense is experienced and stingy. Expect Hammock and company to get the season rolling on a good note and bring more attention to the grossly underrated MAC
