On the western boundary of the NIU campus, about the point you would expect to see a sign saying “Iowa Welcomes You,” there stands a wall of bleachers with a field of AstroTurf lying in its shadow.

The red and white monolith is known as Huskie Stadium, home of the NIU football team. It is here that the Huskies practice in the spring and fall and where Saturdays become game days in the fall.

Surrounding the 30,998-seat facility are a few acres of prime parking ground, where students and alumni gather before the game to engage in what has become a true act of Americana—tailgating.

Just before kickoff, the tailgate crowd files in to join those already watching the pregame warmups for three hours of NCAA Division I-A entertainment. The Huskie Marching Bandsweeps through the National Anthem, and the game begins.

During the game, the band can be counted on to fire off a few rounds of the Huskie fight song. Of course, most of the fans do not know the words. Buying a game program will provide a quick education.

uskie touchdowns are saluted with a volley of fireworks launched from the nearby track and field facility, which is also a landing ground for field goals and extra points on the north end of the stadium.

Last year was quite a rough ride for the Huskies and their followers. NIU limped through a 2-9 season, filled with the usual heartaches and disasters you might expect from such a record.

“Hey, sometimes you’ve got to go through the pain to deliver the baby,” said NIU offensive coordinator Pat Ruel after NIU lost 20-7 to Miami (Ohio) in the Homecoming game.

The Huskies are led by Coach Jerry Pettibone, a well-spoken Detroit native, who owns an extensive resume in the college football ranks.

After building a reputation as a top-notch recruiting coordinator under the likes of Chuck Fairbanks, Hayden Fry and Barry Switzer, Pettibone came to NIU following the 1984 season. He compiled a 4-7 record in his first campaign.

Pettibone instituted the wishbone before the start of last year, the offense of the Oklahoma Sooners, among others. It is a precision, multiple-option offense, utilizing athletes with quickness of foot and mind as well as a good set of hands.

The main reason for turning to the wishbone was the caliber of the Huskies’ 1986 opponents. The wishbone can be tough to defend, and NIU would need all the help it could get against the likes of Wisconsin, Iowa and the Miami (Fla.) Hurricanes.

A glance at the final statistics shows the wishbone to have been an effective but occasionally defective weapon in 1986. NIU averaged 202.5 rushing yards per game, with 2,227 net rushing yards.

owever, the nature of the wishbone involves plenty of pitches at high speeds, and the Huskies’ 46 fumbles attest to the difficulty they had in executing properly.

In 1987, the Huskies again will run the wishbone, the first time in four years they have stuck with an offense in successive seasons. Both Pettibone and Ruel said they expect the execution to improve with age.

uskies to watch on offense include quarterback Marshall Taylor, a diminutive player with quickness and breakaway speed. Fullback Antonio Davis led the team last year with 648 yards rushing, including a 70-yard touchdown run against Ohio.

On defense, the Huskies displayed a 5-2 front (five down linemen, two linebackers) last year but will switch to a 4-4 this season. NIU lost six defensive starters during the winter but return leading tackler Tony Savegnago.

Last year’s rough schedule, which saw the Huskies get pounded by a big team one week leaving them too tired to beat a comparable foe the next week, is one factor NIU will not have to deal with this season.

ome games include the season opener against Lamar Sept. 12, Toledo Oct. 10, Southwest Missouri State Oct. 17, Cal State-Fullerton Oct. 24, Western Illinois Nov. 7 and Akron Nov. 14.