DeKALB | The injury bug has bit the NIU football team for the fourth time this season.

Coach Joe Novak announced Thursday that sophomore defensive tackle Alex Krutsch is out for the season after he broke his right foot during practice last week.

Krutsch had started every game this year before Saturday’s loss to Western Michigan, racking up 12 tackles and one sack.

“Alex was starting to feel very comfortable and was playing well for us,” Novak said. “We’re going to miss him, but some of our other players up front — [Zack] Holycross and [Eric] Pittman — will have to step up. I’m confident they will do a good job.”

Krutsch is one of four players who have suffered season-ending injuries this year.

Senior tight end Jake Nordin broke his left fibula against Ball State two weeks ago.

Senior cornerback Alvah Hansbro is out with a torn tendon in his right bicep and back-up running back Montell Clanton is out for the year with a torn meniscus in his knee.

Also, All-American candidate offensive tackle Doug Free is playing with a stress fracture in his foot, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Friday.

Clearing up the confusion

NIU has released its plan for student ticket distribution for NIU’s 100th homecoming game against Temple on Saturday.

Student Game Tickets will be distributed to students in the residence halls through their mailboxes early in the week — one per student.

Also two new distribution places have been added. In addition to the Convocation Center Box Office and Holmes Student Center, tickets will be available for pick-up at the Recreation Center Tuesday and Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and also in Barsema Hall Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Students must have valid ID to secure a ticket. Student Guest Tickets are only available at the Convocation Center and the Holmes Student Center.

Still No. 1

NIU running back Garrett Wolfe rushed for 25 yards on 18 carries against Western Michigan on Saturday.

Despite his showing, Wolfe still leads the nation in rushing with 1,368 yards — 357 yards more then Wisconsin running back P.J. Hill Jr.

On the flip side, the senior dropped two spots from the Heisman spot on ESPN.com.

Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn and West Virginia Steve Slaton moved up two spots.

Saturday’s game was also Wolfe’s lowest yardage of his career since being named a starter.

Mid season honors

There is even more publicity for Wolfe and offensive lineman Doug Free: both seniors were selected for the cbssportsline.com halfway All-American team.

The seniors have racked up solid numbers so for this year. Free leads the team with 47 knockdowns, and Wolfe leads the nation in rushing.

Iowa and ESPNU

On the schedule, NIU’s game against Iowa read ‘to be announced’ under television broadcast.

Now it reads ESPNU. The game will be played at 11 a.m.

With the announcement, the NIU football team will officially play three more games on ESPN.

The announcement also means for the first time in NIU history, the football team will have all 12 of its regular season games televised.

Lacy Searcy is a Sports Reporter for the Northern Star.