Marcus Perez remembers that game well. It was his first start.

The true freshman showed he was ready to be on the field. In the third quarter, the 5-foot-10 receiver threw a 61-yard touchdown pass.

Perez also came through late in the game, catching a 44-yard pass that set up the winning field goal.

Fast forward to spring 2005, when things were looking bright for the freshman. Then came tragedy.

The Elkhart, IN native had expected to compete for a starting role in 2005. He was ready to run perfect routes in hopes of beating yet another BCS school.

But all of that was crushed in the spring of 2004. The wide receiver had suffered his third concussion within two years — forcing him to the sidelines.

“I can’t even explain the feeling,” Perez said. “Seeing my teammates sweating and hurting while I was holding onto the chains — it was the worst season I’ve ever endured in my life.”

Perez looked toward his mother as he suffered through it.

“I talked to her everyday after practice,” the sophomore said. “I made her a promise that I would take care of everything academically so I was eligible.”

Perez kept his promise to his single mother. He stayed in good standing academically as his football team won the MAC West without his help.

But that was last season.

With wide receivers Sam Hurd and Shatone Powers graduated, there were holes to be filled in the receiving corps for 2006.

But there was a whole cast waiting for a shot at a starting role: Britt Davis, Matt Simon and Jarret Carter to name a few.

But Perez came to practice every day with the same attitude that he’s had since his first day at Huskie Stadium.

“You always want to think you’re the number one guy,” Perez said. “In my freshman year I was number four, but I came to practice every day thinking I was number one.”

Finally, last Saturday, the wide receiver broke back into the Huskies starting lineup — just over two years since his first start at NIU.

“When I started two years ago he was a great freshman,” NIU quarterback Phil Horvath said. “Everyone knew he was going to be a good receiver this year.”

And Perez was sure to make the most of his time on the field.

With his mother watching from the stands, Perez caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Phil Horvath.

The moment was special for the receiver. He had just propelled NIU to a 14-0 lead over Buffalo.

But even more important, Perez’s mother, who can’t make it to every game because she has to work some weekends, was in the stands.

He had kept his promise to return to the field, and she was there to continue her support.