When the Huskies travel to Akron this Saturday for a matchup with the Zips, they’ll be facing a team saddled with injuries.

“We’re so banged up right now that I don’t know if we can put 11 men on the field on Saturday,” said Akron head coach Gerry Faust.

The quarterback spot, normally one of the most vulnerable positions for any team, is especially lean for the Zips (3-5-1). Freshman Wayne Wade will likely be the starter, replacing redshirt freshman Mark Friday, who suffered a rib injury in last week’s 20-17 loss to Rutgers. Friday had replaced junior Jeff Sweitzer, who separated his shoulder two weeks ago in a 59-0 loss to Florida.

“I thought we outplayed Rutgers, but we were without five starters and without that experience factor we are not the same team,” Faust said.

With Sweitzer out, and if Friday (8-23, 130 yards and five interceptions) isn’t able to return, the Zips will depend on Wade to lead the offense. He has completed only three of five passes for 55 yards in his collegiate career.

Akron began the season with wins over Illinois State and Kent State, and tied Central Michigan in their third game. A win over Cal State-Fullerton put their record at 3-0-1. Then came a wave of losses—five of them to be exact. Youngstown State, Western Michigan, Navy, Florida and Rutgers all improved their records against the Zips.

The offensive backfield attack is led by tailbacks Marcus Reliford and Doug Lewis, who have rushed for 501 and 494 yards on the season, respectively. Tight end Mike Orbovich, who missed the Rutgers game with a strained knee, leads the receivers with 17 catches for 210 yards. Wide receiver Harold Robinson has caught 11 balls for 265 yards.

The Zips’ defense is headed by linebackers John Clark and Brian Hilk. Clark recorded 14 tackles against Rutgers and Hilk had seven. Hilk leads the team with 145 tackles on the year.

The secondary leads all Division I-A teams with 23 interceptions. Cornerbacks Ozzie Jackson and Shawn Vincent have each picked off seven passes this season.

The Huskies (5-3) will be looking to halt a three-game road losing streak in their first of three consecutive November road games.

“They’re a very good football team both offensively and defensively,” Faust said of NIU. “I’m impressed with them, and with that week off they’ve got guys starting to heal up some injuries.”

Faust, in talking about NIU quarterback Stacey Robinson, said, “I don’t think you can stop him, he’s that good of a player.”