NIU will be ending their 1993 football campaign just as they began it. They will be on the road facing tough non-conference opponents starting this Saturday when they travel to the University of Iowa to face the Hawkeyes.

This marks NIU’s second trip to the state. They faced Iowa State for the first game of the season and came up way short losing 54-10. The Huskies (3-3, 4-5) will try to redeem themselves and show the state of Iowa that they are a quality football team.

The Hawkeyes (1-5, 3-5) will also be the second Big-Ten school the Huskies face this season (they lost to Indiana 28-10 the second week of the season). NIU is just 1-18 against Big-Ten schools, Wisconsin being the only team the Huskies have defeated. Incidentally, Iowa faced both Iowa State and Indiana and beat Iowa State 31-28 but lost to the Hoosiers 16-10.

Unfortunately Iowa holds a 3-0 record against NIU in past meetings. In those past three meetings, the Hawkeyes have outscored the Huskies 163-30 and have averaged over 525 yards in total offense per game. Iowa coach Hayden Fry needs just three more victories to reach his 200th career win.

Iowa’s biggest threat will be quarterback Paul Burmeister. Burmeister is coming off a good game against Purdue in which he was 21-of-27 for 290 yards and three TDs. He has completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards and seven TDs this season, but has thrown nine interceptions.

The Huskie defense will have to keep an eye on the Hawkeye’s passing game. Of Iowa’s 296.5 yards per game total offense, 200.3 yards comes from their passing while their average rushing yardage per game stands at just 96.2.

The Hawkeye’s defense is led by senior defensive end Larry Blue and senior linebacker Mike Daily. Blue leads the team with 70 tackles (50 solo) and Daily has 51 tackles with a team high seven sacks.

The Iowa secondary is spearheaded by senior safety Jason Olejniczak who is second on the team with 63 tackles and senior cornerback Scott Plate who has four of the Hawkeye’s nine interceptions.

Quarterback Bart Geiser will make just his second college career start this week at Iowa. Geiser is 9-of-15 with 102 yards and two interceptions in two appearances this season.

The Huskies of course, have the No. 1 rusher in the nation in LeShon Johnson. Johnson leads the nation in rushing yardage (1,611), rushing average per game (179 yards), all-purpose yardage (1,717) and total carries (265). He will be going against an Iowa defense that allows 193.4 rushing yards per game.

As a side note, if for some reason it should come down to the kicking game, NIU would have the advantage. Brian Steger has made 11-of-15 field goal attempts this season and has made 20-of-21 extra points. Iowa kicker Todd Romano is just 8-of-15 in field goals and is 8-of-10 in extra points.

WORD OF THE PROPHETS

Celebrity Prophet Corey McPherrinCBS Sports (Ch 2)—”This will be a good test for LeShon Johnson to see how he does against a Big Ten defense, but the Huskies will fall. Iowa 36 NIU 10.”

John Dietz—”I’m just looking for one thing out of this game: We don’t get beat by the dreadful score back in 1991 of 58-7. The score may be better, but the outcome the same. Iowa 27 NIU 16. Johnson: 121 yards.”

Rich Carlson—”The Huskies will have to play excellent ball and be consistent to win this weekend. Iowa’s a Big-Ten toughened team and NIU has suffered a disappointing season in the Big-West. While the Huskies certainly have the talent to upset Iowa, look for them to lose 27-20. Johnson: 136 yards.

Matt Kerlin—”Even with Geiser starting at QB, the Huskies will put points on the board. Johnson won’t break 100 at Mississippi so he has to have his big game now. The ‘Cowboy’ will rack up 197 yards, but that will be the only highlight for the Huskies. Iowa 51 NIU 21.”