In the last game before Mid-American Conference play opens up, the Northern Illinois Huskies take on a second straight Big Ten opponent, the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

NIU (1-2) is coming off a 28-22 loss at Illinois, while Minnesota (1-2) suffered a 32-21 loss to then No. 18 USC at home. Last time these two teams met was in 2008, with the Gophers edging the Huskies 31-27 in the Metrodome.

“If you go with what you see, you can’t prepare for a ghost,” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill. “You know what you’re going to get, and they’re going to try to out execute you.”

Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber started against the Huskies in 2007 and set the all-time mark for career touchdown passes at Minnesota this past weekend. He also holds career records for passing attempts, yards, completions and interceptions.

Weber, in 2010, has thrown for 632 yards and five touchdowns, with a 144 passer rating to start his senior campaign.

“He’s the same player we played against up there in the dome,” Kill said. “He’s a good quarterback.”

Offensively, the Gophers have shown a tendency to run the ball more than pass. Running back Duane Bennett rushed for a career-high 187 yards on 30 carries against Middle Tennessee State and fullback Jon Hoese recorded three touchdowns in that game.

Backup quarterback MarQueis Gray has seen work at wide receiver, picking up back-to-back 90-yard receiving games against South Dakota and USC.

On defense Minnesota runs a 52 front with two linebackers and aim to stuff the run by stacking the box.

“Our main goal is to always run the ball,” said NIU offensive tackle Trevor Olson.

If the Huskies cannot get Chad Spann going against the Gophers, the game could fall on the shoulders of Chandler Harnish again, who gained over 300 yards of total offense against Illinois last week.

In 2008, Harnish and wide receiver Nathan Palmer connected for 170 yards and two touchdowns, with Harnish throwing for a total of 326 yards. Both players started as redshirt freshmen against the Gophers in 2008, making their NIU debuts.

Outside of that game Palmer has recorded 18 receptions for 246 yards and just one touchdown in his career.

“I haven’t really done too much since Minnesota,” Palmer said. “I’m trying to put that behind me but I’ve got some unfinished business and I think we do as a team too.”