Throw it down, big man – With the Huskie football season starting in just under two weeks, the Northern Star takes a closer look at this year’s group of gunslingers
August 21, 2011
If there was one position the NIU football team doesn’t need to have worries about, it’s the quarterback position. Last year, Chandler Harnish helped the Huskies offense by leading them to 11 wins and a uDrove Humantarian Bowl win over Fresno State. This season, he certainly will have everyone’s attention, as he looks to lead NIU back to the MAC title game and win its first MAC Championship since 1983. Here’s a look at this year’s quarterbacks:
Chandler Harnish
Harnish returns for his senior season as one of the most dynamic offensive players in the MAC. For the 2011 season, Harnish was named to the Watch Lists of the Maxwell Award given to the top player in college football, Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, and the Davey O’Brien Quarterback Award.
The Bluffton, Ind. native is making his way to becoming the Huskie’s all time leading quarterback in several categories including total touchdown passes, passing yards, and touchdowns responsible for.
Outlook: Harnish will look to flourish even more than he did last year in the new no-huddle scheme brought over by head coach Dave Doeren and offensive coordinator Matt Canada. Expect Harnish to pass a little bit more this season, but don’t think he won’t use his speed to keep opposing defenses off balance.
Jordan Lynch
Lynch served as Harnish’s back-up last season, but saw playing time in nine games and led the Huskies with an 11.7 yards per carry average.
The Mt. Carmel High School alum put up a career best 142 rushing yards on just two carries against Eastern Michigan last season with an 81-yard score and a 61-yard score.
Outlook: Lynch will continue to rotate in behind center for some plays this season. His style is very similar to Harnish’s as he can both throw the ball as well as tucking it away and breaking off a big rush.
Other players at quarterback: Matt McIntosh, Sean Strehl, and Devin Rose round out the rest of the quarterbacks. It’s safe to say that these young Huskies will not be seeing playing time this season, unless an unexpected injury occurs to Harnish or Lynch.
