DeKALB | NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish is heading into the 2011 season as the only representative for the MAC Conference to be on the Maxwell Award Watch List. The award is given to America’s outstanding collegiate football player. Sixty-six college football players from around the country make up the list.

Last season, Harnish had 28 total touchdowns, leading the Huskies to finish with a school-record 11 wins. The NIU Huskies are a little over a month away from opening their 2011 season with new head coach Dave Doeren. Chandler took a few minutes from his busy schedule to talk about this upcoming season.

Northern Star: How has the huge win against Fresno State last season been helping you guys for this upcoming season?

Chandler Harnish: I think beating Fresno has definitely created a lot of momentum coming into this season and a lot of excitement for the players, coaches and fans. There’s a lot of good things because the last two years we’ve been coming off of bowl losses and we were kind of down about that, but coming off of a bowl win is definitely a new experience and a very good one.

NS: What have you been working on the most to improve your game for this season?

CH: I think one of the things we’ve been working on is leadership from a lot of our guys at different positions. Also just understanding football a little bit more, watching more game film, talking more in football terms, things like that that’ll help us take the next step.

NS: Chad Spann was a huge success to your team last season. How will the run game differ in your opinion this season without having him behind you in the backfield?

CH: The thing with Chad was that he was a contact player. He was always good about taking a hit and keeping his legs driving. Now we have more scatbacks, if you will, so a little bit smaller guys that are going to be a little more elusive and harder to tackle and a little bit quicker on the edges. I think the power run game probably wont be as prevalent as it was last year, but more of a cut-back and zone-read approach.

NS: How does your relationship with new head coach Dave Doeren differ from coach Jerry Kill from last season?

CH: Me and coach Kill’s relationship was more of a father-son type thing, and me and coach Doeren are more friends. That’s nothing against coach Kill; me and coach Kill are still great friends, but me and coach Doeren are always texting and talking about football or whatever it is so we definitely have a different relationship. Both relationships were good between Kill and me and between Doeren and myself but definitely different.

NS: You are the only MAC player named to the Maxwell Award Watch List. What were your thoughts when you found out you were on this list?

CH: I was definitely surprised, very proud to represent Northern but at the same time it’s definitely a team award. If we didn’t win 11 games last year, if I didn’t have the o-line and the receivers that I had, there was no way I’d be on the list. So I think that’s definitely a testament to how well our team played last year and how many great players we have coming back.