Fans of the NIU football team will have their first opportunity to see the Dave Doeren-led Huskies at 2 p.m. Saturday.

The annual spring game is the culmination of five weeks of practices in March and April. In his first year as head coach, Doeren says the game will operate much like a normal spring practice. The first-team offense and defense will wear red jerseys and will play against the backups in white. A running score will be kept, unlike any other spring practice, but there will be no returns on either kicks or punts.

Doeren is excited about the progress made by his team this spring, but isn’t really looking forward to the game.

“It’s just a practice for me,” Doeren said. “It’s not a game. For the kids, it’s a chance to celebrate and have some fun. There are certain guys that I’m still evaluating. It should be good to see them in more of a game environment.”

Redshirt sophomore receiver Jamison Wells came into spring practices buried on the depth chart, but has worked his way into the conversation with his steady hands and crisp routes.

Wells will be looking to put on a show with both of his parents and brother on hand this Saturday.

“It’s real big,” Wells said. “It’s my first spring game, because I didn’t participate in the one last year. I’m just going to go out there and play like I’ve done all of spring ball. I’m not going to change too much going in.”

Most starters choose to look at Saturday much like Doeren. Cornerback Dominique Ware has seamlessly stepped into a starter’s role this spring after the departures of Patrick George and Chris Smith. Thursday morning’s practice featured an athletic interception in the end zone from Ware on an out route.

As a group, the starting secondary has looked especially smooth the last couple of weeks. Safeties Tommy Davis and Demetrius Stone and corners Rashaan Melvin and Ware will look to finish the spring strong.

“We have really improved since the start of spring, when balls were going over our head,” Ware said. “We weren’t even lining up right, but the game is starting to slow down for us, and as soon as we go in and watch some more film we can clean some more things up.”

The offense has made significant progress with the no-huddle offense brought to NIU by Doeren. Starting quarterback Chandler Harnish has steadily improved, but Doeren insists that there is still a lot of work left.

“Chandler has gotten much better,” Doeren said. “I think he is still probably thinking more than he wants to, but it will get better.”