After years of being the weak sisters of the Big Eight Conference, the Kansas State football team appears headed toward respectability.

Last year, the Wildcats had five victories, which was one more than they had the previous five seasons. Their third-year head coach, Bill Snyder, was named AP Big Eight Coach of the Year.

“Coach Snyder has done a very exceptional job,” NIU head football coach Charlie Sadler said. “KSU is a very, very much improved team. They’re not down there like they used to be.”

This year, the Wildcats are 2-0 heading into Saturday night’s game with NIU at KSU Stadium.

Sadler and NIU (1-1) will head to Manhattan, Kan., after having beaten Arkansas State 22-21 last week. Sadler said practices this week have been lively and have gone smoothly.

“We’ve had good practices,” Sadler said. “I think the Arkansas State victory helped that. We’ve had a good week and good intensity. We’ve emphasized our tackling drills. That’s just a fundamental we’ll have to get better at through the year.”

Sadler named several players he felt have stood out in practices and in the games.

“Our offensive line has done a good job of blocking the right people,” he said. “Individually, (defensive end) Scott Van Bellinger (14 tackles) and (linebacker) Steve Henriksen (32 tackles) have played the way we expected them to.

“Obviously, (fullback) Adam Dach (227 yards on 32 rushes) has done a terrific job.”

The Huskies—especially the defense—better not leave their vigor on the practice field. They will be facing a team that is averaging 33 points per game.

On offense, the Wildcats rely heavily on runningback Eric Gallon. The 6-1, 205-pound junior has rushed for 263 yards on 41 carries and has two touchdowns.

The Wildcats are allowing 16 points per game. Their defense starts three seniors and six juniors.

“They’ve got a very experienced football team,” Sadler said. “Gallons is really doing a job of carrying the football. From a defensive standpoint, they’re experienced, they play hard. They’re a solid unit.”

Sadler hopes his Huskies put on a better show than they did in their last road game two weeks ago, a 55-7 loss to Fresno State. He anticipates a struggle.

“I think it will be a very close game,” Sadler said. “It could be one that is won in the fourth quarter.”