In his 12 years at NIU, head coach Joe Novak has never seen a season quite like this one.

Underclassmen have been thrown in the game a season early and guys listed second and third on the depth chart have seen significant action. Currently, 13 starters have missed at least one game due to injury, 20 different players on the depth chart have missed at least one game, and eight of the injuries have been season-ending.

Only eight players – four on offense and four on defense – have started every game this season.

Despite the injuries on the defensive side of the ball, NIU ranks first in the MAC in scoring defense and red zone defense, and is second in third-down efficiency.

“All three of these are pretty important categories, if you think about it,” Novak said. “We have been beat up, but we are still hanging in there. We have had so many injuries to the point that we talk more about who is not going to play in the game than who is going to play in the game.”

More on injuries

Starting quarterback Dan Nicholson missed his first start of the season Saturday with an ankle injury, but should be ready for Wisconsin this weekend. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Morris started in his place and went 13-of-25 with 144 yards and recorded NIU’s first interception-free game.

Wide receivers Britt Davis and Greg Turner missed their second-straight game with a hamstring and shoulder injury, respectively, and are questionable for Saturday’s game.

Running Away

The NIU football program seems to grow talented running backs from year-to-year. Redshirt sophomore Justin Anderson ran for 132 yards against Western Michigan and now ranks second in the MAC and ninth in the nation, averaging 124 yards per game.

The Chicago native has now recorded five consecutive 100-yard games. Anderson currently has 868 yards on the season despite not starting the first two games of the season. The former high school quarterback is on pace to give NIU its ninth consecutive 1,000-yard rusher.

Second half of the problem

Saturday’s loss to Western Michigan marked the third time this season NIU was shut out in the second half. Of the 133 points NIU has scored this season, only 32 of them have been in the second half. The “coulda-shoulda-woulda” season is summed up by the fact that NIU has lost four games by a combined 10 points.

Speaking English

After recording 1.5 sacks against WMU, junior defensive end Larry English needs only two sacks to take over second place on the Huskies’ all-time list. English currently has 8.5 sacks this season and 21.5 in his career. The Aurora native leads the MAC in sacks and is fourth in the nation in sacks with 1.21 per game.

Simon says

Junior Matt Simon continues to rack up receiving yards. The Minnesota native recorded his third 100-yard receiving game as he tallied 160 yards against WMU. Simon leads NIU with 580 receiving yards and is ranked 26th nationally.