Ask Murray State coach Mike Mahoney about the upcoming game with NIU and visions of David versus Goliath immediately come to mind. “We’re young and struggling,” Mahoney said. “And running into a juggernaut.”

NIU a juggernaut? That’s a pretty hefty statement (unless you’re from Fresno State). Yet Mahoney is leading his disappointing 1-5-0 Murray State into DeKalb on Saturday to face what he referred to as “a post-Northwestern football team.”

“It looks like they lost at Northwestern and just got mad,” Mahoney said. “I think they were kicking themselves after losing to Toledo and Northwestern.

“If they played up to expectations, they should be 10-1. And I think that’s very realistic for this (NIU) football team.”

Expectations dwindled for Mahoney and his Division I-AA squad after a sound defeat at the hands of the Louisville Cardinals, 68-0, earlier this season.

“We got bashed at Louisville,” Mahoney said. “And it hurt our confidence.”

To add injury to insult, the Racers lost their starting quarterback in a loss to Indiana State, forcing freshman Ronald Donaldson to take the snaps.

“Right now our problem is that we’re struggling on offense so much,” Mahoney said. “Inexperience is a big factor.”

On the other hand, Mahoney praised the experience of NIU.

“Obviously, Stacey is a great wishbone quarterback,” Mahoney said. “And I think NIU has as good an offensive line as we’ve played against.”

“We’re coming up there with intentions of winning, but I’m not going to slash my wrists if we lose,” Mahoney said.