When a football team goes 9-2 with a basically run-oriented offense, what can happen when it works on its passing game?

“It gives us a chance to take advantage of the defenses,” NIU offensive coordinator Mike Summers said. “We’ve established a reputation running the football, and we’ll never be a team to give up what has been so good to us. We’re just improving the package.”

Last season, the Huskie offense, led by quarterback Stacy Robinson, completed 65 of 128 passes for an average of 78.5 yards a game. In comparison, NIU, with the wishbone, ran 680 times for an average of 330.8 yards a game.

“It’s great because it spreads the defense out more so I can hit the seams,” Robinson said. “Now I have other receivers, the tight end and fullback.”

Kurt Cassidy led the Huskie receivers last year with 12 catches for 137 yards. Mark Clancy was second with eight receptions, but gained 142 yards including a 58-yard catch.

“I like the way we’re trying to implement the passing game,” Clancy said. “We’ll be able to throw the defenses off.”

Fullback Adam Dach caught seven passes for 61 yards last season. But Dach’s main role is not pass receiving, it’s rushing. Dach gained 714 yards on the ground, second only to Robinson’s 1443.

“I think it will make the defenses more honest,” Dach said. “They won’t be able to concentrate solely on the run.”

The members of the Huskie offensive line like the increased work on the passing game.

“We’re all pretty excited about more passing,” guard Scott Elliot said. “We’re looking forward to it because coming into spring drills, pass protection is the one thing that we get back the quickest. We all have one area to block and the guy can only go two ways.”

Center Eric Wenckowski still favors the wishbone.

“I think it (passing) helps us get our pass blocking skills down,” he said. “But I still like to run the ball.”

Tight end Claude Royster led the Huskies last season in receiving yardage with 164 yards on six catches.

“Most teams are used to us running, so I’m usually left open after blocking,” he said. “I look at myself more as a blocking tight end, but now I can be open more for the pass. It adds another dimension to my game. I think we’ll catch a lot of teams off guard.”

Summers said the addition will give the offense a much wider selection of plays to go to in tough spots.

“The passing game was efficient last year but we want it to be more effective,” he said. “In pressure situations we’ve usually run the ball, but this will open it up more.”