There has been a cloud looming over the NIU football team since the end of last season.

Everyone knew the Huskies would start the season surrounded be tens of thousands of screaming fans as they try to beat Ohio State in their season opener, but no one knew who would take that first snap in the “Horseshoe,” otherwise known as Ohio Stadium.

Head Coach Joe Novak cleared those clouds Friday when he announced that senior quarterback Phil Horvath had won the starting role over sophomore Dan Nicholson.

“It just came down that we had to pick one,” the 11th-year coach said. “I don’t have a list of reasons to give you, only one can start.”

Horvath is coming back from a season in which he started the first nine games before suffering a broken left arm in a game against Central Michigan.

In those nine games the Naperville native had a 70.6 percent passing completion rate, ranked sixth in the nation in passing efficiency, and threw 18 touchdowns compared to just 8 interceptions.

But those impressive stats weren’t enough to make Horvath a lock for the starting job due to the equally impressive play of the back-up.

Despite being inexperienced, Nicholson proved that he could lead the Huskies to success that had never been seen before.

Nicholson stepped in for the injured Horvath and lead the Huskies over CMU.

The then-freshman made his first start against Toledo, throwing for 176 yards with two throwing touchdowns and another rushing touchdown to beat the Rockets for the first time since 1989.

The Chicago native finished the regular season by taming the Broncos, which gave NIU its first ever trip to the MAC championship game.

After watching how well Nicholson performed at the end of the season, Horvath figured that he would have to earn back his starting role. So this offseason he focused on improving his footwork and throwing mechanics in addition to getting healthy.

The move paid off, but Horvath knows he can’t become complacent.

“Yeah you’re a little more relaxed, but at the same time you’re really never secure in college football,” Horvath said. “You have to show up at every game, every practice.”

But knowing who the starter will be has Britt Davis and other players on the team feeling like they can now completely focus on Ohio State.

“It’s a good feeling just for the team now that we know who our leader is going to be,” the wide receiver said. “It’s just a comfort level for the team now that we know who’s going to be that guy going into the game.”

Ben Gross is the NIU football beat reporter for the Northern Star