To help pull off a victory over Kansas, NIU will have to keep tabs on sophomore running back James Sims.

Sims returns to the Jayhawks after a freshman season in which he led all backs with 742 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns, including nine on the ground.

The Irving, Tex. native appeared in 11 games last year after he sat out the season opener.

“They tend to think they can run on us because we’re a little bit smaller,” said NIU defensive end Sean Progar. “Our key is going to be to stop the run, and once we stop the run, they’re going to have to stop our pass rush. We know we’re quicker and faster.”

If the Huskies are able to stop the run against Sims as well as some of the other backs on the Jayhawks, Kansas quarterback Jordan Webb may not be in for a smooth day.

Webb is only a sophomore, who has yet to fully develop into a threat passing the football.

If NIU contains Sims and the running game, it may not be a contest.