The Buffalo defense will look to rebound after a crushing 34-0 defeat from Temple last weekend.

For NIU, they offensive line will have to focus on Bulls’ sophomore linebacker Khalil Mack.

“I think that their linebacker slash defensive end [Mack] is one of the best players in our league, if not the best player defensively,” said NIU head coach Dave Doeren.

Mack currently ranks sixth in the nation with 12 tackles for a loss, resulting in 47 total loss yards for the opposing offenses.

The underclassman linebacker also has no trouble getting to the quarterback with 3.5 sacks so far this season.

NIU’s offensive line will have its hands full against Mack, but it will be nothing it has not seen before.

“Everybody’s talking about how hard [Mack] is to block and how disruptive he is,” Doeren said. “We’re going to have our hands full with him.”

The Huskies’ offensive line has gone two straight weeks without allowing a sack.

With Mack and Buffalo’s defense approaching, NIU’s offensive line look to extend that streak further.