Monday night’s practice was not nearly as harsh as one would expect for a team that lost 45-0 over the weekend, but it was the type of practice NIU football coach Jerry Pettibone felt the squad needed.

The Huskies had a short, padless practice with an emphasis on mental concentration.

“We decided it was important for us to get everybody healed up from their bumps and bruises,” Pettibone said. “We stressed effort and concentration tonight. We’ll be back to full pads Wednesday and Thursday.”

NIU Quarterback Marshall Taylor said while practice was not a chew-out session, it wasn’t the opposite either.

“They (coaches) aren’t letting up on us,” Taylor said. “The coaches have looked at the films (from Saturday), and they realize the problem is not in our effort and it’s not our physical condition. It’s due to our mistakes, and that’s why we’re working on our mental concentration.”

Mistakes have plagued the Huskies lately, as they have gone scoreless in their last five quarters but have managed to give up 78 points in the last two games.

One of the offensive problems seems to be in the hands of the Huskies. NIU has had 10 fumbles with only four recoveries within the last two matches (USL and Toledo), as opposed to one fumble for the opposition in the last two games (Toledo).

However, Pettibone said he doesn’t foresee any major changes in either the offense or defense. Just a little touching up in both categories.

“We (coaches) have been stressing how important it is to eliminate the (offensive) mistakes,” Pettibone said, “so we can start doing some things that will enable us to put points back up on the scoreboard.”

One adjustment that has been made offensively is the playing time of freshman halfback Brett Schroeder. Schroeder made his debut in the Toledo contest, where he caught the second-longest reception for 44 yards and has been rolling in the stats ever since.

Schroder was bumped to starting halfback in the USL match above injured red-shirt freshman Eugene Edmond and proved his capabilities by snatching the most receptions of the game (five for 25 yards).

“We gave Brett an opportunity to play,” Pettibone said, “and he has responded well and has earned a starting position at right halfback.” Pettibone said.

The Huskie boss also said that although Edmond is not 100 percent yet, he will be back in place of injured (possible redshirt) halfback Mike Strasser.

Despite a two-game losing streak, an upcoming match in a Homecoming atmosphere against Southern Illinois and three season-ending games against winning ballclubs, Pettibone said he is still optimistic about his original goal of a “winning season.”

“I would be very upset and extremely disappointed if we don’t have a winning season,” Pettibone said. “It’s going to take some great weeks of practice and maximum efforts from everybody, but I know we can do it.”