Two farewells—one hopefully cheerful and one probably tearful—will occur this weekend at Huskie Stadium.

The NIU football team will be trying to say goodbye to the disappointing results that this season has produced so far when the Huskies face Illinois State Saturday.

The unwelcome farewell comes with the final home appearance of 15 seniors.

“These seniors have had more good times than bad in their stay here,” head coach Charlie Sadler said. “They’ve been a part of many winning teams. I know this season has been a disappointment to them from the won-loss standpoint.

“From a senior leadership standpoint, they’ve shown tremendous character and kept this team together. They’ve never given up in any form or fashion. We’ll miss them.

“Some young guys will have some big shoes to step into next year.”

The departing seniors include offensive tackle Darin Buchanan, linebacker Steve Christian, fullback Adam Dach, safety Jeff Geary, kicker Matt Golden, safety Dave Gulley, linebacker Steve Henriksen, punter Dave Jensen and linebacker Nick Jones.

Also departing are guard Ken Kanger, center Mike McShane, kicker Willy Roy Jr., defensive end Scott Van Bellinger, center Mike Westrick and noseguard Eric White.

Dach enters the game as the Huskies No. 3 all-time rusher with 3,146 career yards. The NIU fullback needs 355 yards in the Huskies last two games to take second place.

Henriksen is tenth in career tackles for the Huskies with 305 and was second after last week in Division I-A with 105 stops this year.

The Huskies will close their 1991 season, and the seniors their careers, at Toledo Nov. 23.