Western Michigan

The game plan will be relatively simple against Western Michigan: Stop Juan Nunez and Jordan White. The Broncos wide receivers have 51 and 50 receptions, respectively, and have combined for 10 receiving touchdowns.

Nunez is coming off a game against Akron in which he contributed six receptions for a career-high 192 yards and three touchdowns – good enough to garner the senior MAC West Offensive Player of the Week honors.

NIU head coach Jerry Kill conceded how difficult the two Bronco standouts will be to handle, but is still wary of Western Michigan head coach Bill Cubit’s other weapons.

“It’s just how their system is, you have to worry about those two guys, but by the time you do that another wide receiver shows up,” Kill said. “That’s what Bill Cubit does though; he builds up his team that way. He is very good at matching personal and matchups in general.”

NIU

Cornerback Chris Smithhas been briefed by his coaches on how difficult it will be to stop the Western Michigan offense. With a multitude of weapons to choose from on one of the most prolific passing offenses in the MAC, WMU Alex Carder has been racking up the statistics in 2010. In seven games, Carder has thrown for 1,939 yards with 15 touchdowns. Not impossible to solve, however, the sophomore has been picked off nine times; leaving the door open for Smith to make Saturday feel especially long for Carder.

The Huskie senior is confident that his team will be able to shut down the strong passing game of the Broncos.

“I just have to play the way I play,” Smith said. “Watch my keys and don’t let them get behind me. Coaches have told us how difficult it will be, but we’re going to have six defensive backs on the field at one time and we just have to make it happen.”