Who is NIU’s starting running back? NIU head coach Jerry Kill has answered the same question over and over.

The Huskies (1-2, 0-1 MAC) have distributed carries to three different running backs this season – Justin Anderson, Montell Clanton and Me’co Brown. Last week, Clanton carried the load, gaining 61-yards on 10 carries.

“We’ve played three or four every year I’ve been coaching,” Kill said. “Tailbacks are going to get worn down throughout the year. We’ll see how practice goes, the ones who are going to practice and execute what we do are the one’s we’re going to go with.”

Quarterback Dan Nicholson will make his second start of the year Saturday. The senior took a cortisone shot for his injured shoulder before the Indiana State game, but said he shouldn’t need one going into the Eastern Michigan contest.

“Health-wise, I feel a lot better than I have,” Nicholson said. “It’s gotten better and better as time has went on.”

Nicholson is 21-39 (53.8 completion percentage) on the season with 276-yards. He’s thrown two touchdowns, as well as two interceptions.

Eastern Michigan (1-3, 0-1 MAC) comes into the game having lost their last three contests, two of them coming against BCS schools Michigan State and Maryland. The Eagles’ only victory of the season came in the opening week against NIU’s last opponent, Indiana State. Much like the Huskies, EMU didn’t have much trouble with the Sycamores, earning a decisive 52-0 victory.

The Eagles defeated the Huskies last season, 21-19 at Huskie Stadium, when Chris Nendick’s last-second field goal was blocked. The Huskies feel this weekend’s contest at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Mich. can serve as revenge for last season’s loss.

“We owe them one for last year, for that close loss at home,” said kicker Mike Salerno, who is 6-6 on field goals this season. “We want to go back to their place and return the favor.”

As for the injury situation, quarterback Chandler Harnish will not suit up for the game. Starting cornerback Melvin Rice, who sat out the Indiana State game with a pulled hamstring, practiced this week and will start Saturday.

“[Rice] coming back will be important to the success of our defense,” Kill said. “He’s one of our best defensive football players.”