DeKalb | What football has done doesn’t mean anything to the Huskies as they have their eyes strictly focused on conference play.

NIU went undefeated in its four non-conference schedule, beating Big 10 teams Iowa and Purude along the way, but it has wiped the slate clean.

“You are 0-0 now, you really are,” said coach Rod Carey. “No matter what you did in non-conference, with the way our schedule is set up where you are playing all your non-conference in a row and then getting all conference, it really didn’t matter if you were 4-0 or 0-4. Everything is still in front of everyone in this conference. Us included.”

The Huskies (4-0) will take on Kent State (2-3, 1-1 MAC) in a rematch of last season’s MAC Championship game, when NIU defeated the Golden Flashes 44-37 in double overtime.

It’s safe to say the Huskies will have their hands full with running back Dri Archer. Archer has dealt with injuries to start this season, but he is back healthy and one of the most explosive players in the MAC.

“He’s fast, really fast,” Carey said. “[He’s] probably the fastest guy I’ve seen on film. I think he might be a little faster than last year. He’s got good wiggle and good vision, too, and he’s a tough kid. [We have to] get him on the ground any which way we can. You got to because with him, if you give him a second chance or give him a crease, it’s over before you take a breath.”

What makes Archer a weapon for the Golden Flashes is his ability to line up anywhere on the field. You can find him on the outside, in the slot or even lined up in the backfield. The Huskies will have to make sure they know where he is at all times.

“I think we have to be pointing him out the whole time,” said linebacker Michael Santacaterina. “Every time he comes out we’re going to say, ‘No. 1, No. 1’ and wherever he is lined up, whether it’s in the backfield or in the slot, it’s all about the scheme and how we’re going to defend it.”

NIU will look to continue its winning ways in MAC play as it has a nation-leading 17 straight victories.

“Obviously we started out 4-0, and that’s good, but none of those games really matter now,” said quarterback Jordan Lynch. “It’s all about going for that MAC Championship.”