DeKALB | Even without head coach Jerry Kill, the NIU football team will face off on Dec. 18 against an experienced Fresno State team in the uDrove Humanitarian Bowl.

Under head coach Pat Hill, the Bulldogs (8-4, 5-3 WAC) have used a balanced scoring attack from quarterback Ryan Colburn and running back Robbie Rouse to reach a bowl game for the 23rd time in school history. Hill is in his 14th year as head coach and has guided the Bulldogs to 11 bowl games in the last 12 years.

Rouse broke his hand against Boise State on Nov. 19 which caused him to miss Saturday’s game with Illinois. The sophomore has rushed for 1135 yards and eight touchdowns in 2010.

If Rouse is unable to play against NIU, the Bulldogs are likely to look to sophomore A.J. Ellis to fill the void. Against Illinois on Saturday, Ellis rushed for 44 yards on 19 attempts.

Leading Fresno State under center, Colburn has thrown for 2,529 yards and 21 touchdown passes in 2010. The senior ranks 29th in the nation in passing efficiency.

Fresno State started off the year with wins against Cincinnati and Utah State before dropping a 55-38 decision to Mississippi.

The Bulldogs other three losses in 2010 all came against their nationally ranked conference opponents, losing to Hawaii 49-27, Nevada 35-34 and Boise State 51-0.

NIU (10-3, 8-1 MAC) quarterback Chandler Harnish respects Fresno State even after watching the Bulldogs lose 51-0 to Boise State.

“They’re a good football team, they can win some games,” Harnish said. “I watched them on TV against Boise State and even though they lost you could tell that they know how to play the game.”

Protecting Harnish from Fresno State defensive linemen Chris Carter and Logan Harrell may be the biggest test of the year for the NIU offensive line. Carter and Harrell have 11 and 10.5 sacks, respectively.

Looking for redemption in the Humanitarian bowl will be Huskies running back and 2010 MAC MVP Chad Spann. After gaining only 57 yards against Miami (OH) in the MAC Championship game, Spann will face a Fresno State defense that has given up 154.4 yards on the ground per game in 2010.

Since 2000, Fresno State is tied with Utah for the most wins against BCS opponents by a team from a non-automatic qualifying conference with 17.