Titans able to use both air and ground in NIU opener

by Eric Burt

NIU head coach Jerry Pettibone summed up the feelings of all his players after Wednesday’s practice.

“We’re getting tired of hitting each other.”

Instead of tackling each other this Saturday, the Huskies will be clashing with the Titans of Cal State-Fullerton at 6:35 p.m. on the AstroTurf of Huskie Stadium.

“We’re anxious to get a game under our belts,” senior cornerback Brett Tucker said. “We’re ready to go.”

Tucker leads a defensive backfield that consists of free safety Kevin Cassidy and right cornerback Earl Upton. Last season, Tucker finished with 70 tackles, four caused fumbles, seven deflected passes and one interception. Cassidy was fourth on the team in tackles with 84, caused and recovered one fumble, deflected two passes, intercepted four and had the Huskies’ only blocked field goal. Upton recorded 22 tackles and one deflected pass in a back-up role to Tucker.

The Huskies will be facing an offense that relies on the passing game. Senior Titan quarterback Dan Speltz (6-3, 200) was 136 of 274 last season for 1,924 yards and 13 touchdowns, while throwing only eight interceptions.

“We expect Cal State to throw a lot,” Pettibone said. “They have a guy who had 53 receptions last year (Rocky Palamara). They have a lot of speed.”

However, the Titans can run, too.

“They may lineup in an I-formation with one set-back and run the ball,” Pettibone said.

The CSF backfield is led by Mike Pringle who gained 496 yards on 106 carries in only eight games. The 5-10, 185-pound senior also caught seven passes for 112 yards and was named Second-Team All-Big West Conference.

NIU Halfback Rich Favor’s knee injury will require surgery, Pettibone said. Also scheduled to miss the season opener are safety Dave Gulley (broken hand), safety Tom Rhomberg (bad ankle) and halfback Corey Ray (bruised leg).

“I’m kind of in between a rock and a hard place,” Pettibone said. “I want to line the guys up, but as a coach I want more time to work on things.”

The Cal State-Fullerton game will also be the first start for quarterback Stacey Robinson.

“I think any questions about Stacey replacing Marshall (Taylor) will be answered,” Tucker said. “In a problem situation, he’ll prove himself. We’re putting all our support behind him.”

The Huskies will be on the road next weekend at Nebraska (Sept. 9) and then will take a week off before traveling to Kansas State to take on the Wildcats (Sept. 23). The next Huskie home game will be Sept. 30 when they host the Western Illinois Leathernecks.