Get out your big Cowboy hats and don’t forget your economy bags of marshmallows.

The Huskies are playing their last home game of the season this Saturday when they host Southwestern Louisiana.

The Big West season is coming to an end for the Huskies, and their future boils down to the next two games.

Both of these games are crucial for the Huskies if they want their dreams of a Las Vegas Christmas to come true.

So far this year Huskie Stadium has been blessed, not allowing NIU to lose a single game.

But the Rajin‘ Cajuns, who are in the midst of a four game winning streak, plan to change that.

Last year the Huskies traveled down to USL only to steal the Cajuns’ Homecoming in a 23-15 victory.

Although this is not the Huskie’s Homecoming, this is a very important game for all concerned.

In the Big West, the Huskies can consider themselves in the driver’s seat with a 3-1 record, and a win over conference favorite Nevada.

USL has a 1-1 conference record, and is 4-2 overall.

Besides Arkansas State (0-4), NIU is the only other team to have only two games left in the conference.

“If (NIU) can finish like they think they can, you’ve got to say right now being 3-1, with only two conference games left where everybody else has several more than that, especially the people who are chasing them, that they’ve got to be in the driver’s seat,” USL head coach Nelson Stokeley said.

USL has five conference games left including the trip to DeKalb this weekend.

One of those games is against UNLV which should be an easy win for the Cajuns, but they still have to face San Jose State and Louisiana Tech.

With at least one loss from those two games the Cajuns should be out of the race for the West.

The Cajuns were picked to finish 2-9 this year in Sports Illustrated’s pre-season poll, and have already doubled that amount of wins.

They can credit the defense for their success this year.

Currently, the Cajun defense ranks in the top 20 nationally in five major categories, including rushing defense where they stand at No. 3.

This could mean a long day for the Huskies if they can hold Johnson to under 150 yards.

That doesn’t seem too hard considering they have held the rest of their opponents to an average of 72.7 yards per game.

They also have the nation’s leader in interceptions in Orlanda Thomas.

Overall the Cajuns are holding their opponents to an average under 300 yards of total offense per game.

So far USL hasn’t faced the hardest of opponents, and they sure haven’t faced any Heisman candidates.

Most people would argue that no matter how good the defense is, Johnson is going to rack up his yards.

Offensively, the Cajuns will be relying on quarterback Jake Delhorne who has completed 75 of 131 passes for 988 yards and 8 TD’s this season.

Stokley’s squad is going to try to mix in the run with the likes of Marcus Prier and Aaron Fisher who combine for an average of 117.6 yards per game.

Putting away all the stats and records, this game has more significance that some wouldn’t understand.

The last home game of every year is known as senior recognition day. After all, this is the last time the seniors will play at Huskie Stadium.

This will also be the last time Huskie fans get the chance to see LeShon Johnson play in Huskie Stadium before he leaves for a three game road trip, possibly a bowl game or two, and most likely the NFL.

“LeShon Johnson will run for 200+ yards. USL has the third best rushing defense, but when he turns the corner he’s gone. Gone. NIU 23 USL 14.”

Matt Kerlin—”If Reichert wants respect he’s going to have to pick it up a step, and earn the confidence of the offense in order to make things happen. The ‘Cowboy’ will find his way around the defense, score three TDs, and raise his average to over 200 yards per game, while he leads the Huskies to victory on senior recognition day. NIU 29 USL 17.”

John Dietz—”College football is becoming too offensive oriented. Yeah, its more exciting from a fan’s standpoint, but what ever happened to a great defensive battle? Show up Saturday and USL will give NIU a lesson in this field. Watch out Reichert. Too bad it won’t be enough. NIU 17 USL 14. Johnson: 146 yards”