After five years of first day practices, NIU football running back Garrett Wolfe said Monday was the hardest since he’s been a Huskie.

After dinner, a team meeting, physicals and equipment fittings Sunday, the NIU football team strapped on their helmets for their first practice of the season at 7 p.m. Monday.

However, it was only helmets the Huskies were wearing as NCAA rules say teams can only wear their helmets during the first two days of practice to begin the season.

Regardless, preseason All-American Garrett Wolfe said the team got down to business right away.

“We’re going harder because we want to take it to another level,” Wolfe said. “Things have to be harder.”

Offensive coordinator John Bond said the practice was a typical first day, but he liked the overall effort of the team and thinks NIU can make better use of the shotgun this fall.

“More than anything we want to have the capability to run the ball out of the shotgun,” Bond said. “We’re trying to be a little bit more unpredictable, but still keep the integrity of the offense.”

But who else will run the ball out of the backfield besides Wolfe is the bigger question since back-ups A.J. Harris and Adrian “Train” Davis have graduated.

Wolfe mentioned sophomore Montell Clanton, junior Cas Prime and redshirt freshman Justin Anderson amongst those who may see carries out of the backfield this fall.

“Talent wise I believe it is the most talented since I’ve been here,” Wolfe said. “I’m interested to see what the future holds for the team.”

On defense, safety Dustin Utschig said he believes the experience players gained on defense last year is going to mean a lot. Utschig also said the defense’s philosophy has changed a little bit.

“We’re going to get back to old school football,” Utschig said. “That means flying to the ball, being tenacious and not worrying about missed tackles because everyone will get to the ball as a unit.”

With the loss of safety Ray Smith to graduation, Utschig and cornerback twins Alvah and Adriel Hansbro are waiting for someone to step up and play the other safety spot.

Utschig quickly responded with junior Mark Reiter as a candidate to fill the vacancy left by Smith.

“Mark played some last year,” Utschig said. “He’ll step up and do real well. Being from Providence High School, he’s a big hitter who lays the wood. His attitude will really help us.”