NIU came out of Saturday’s game with more than just a loss to Indiana. They also lost the starting split-end for four-to-six weeks.

Otha Brooks, a 5-foot 11-inch 175 pound sophomore, went down late in the fourth quarter with a broken right collar bone, an injury that may prove damaging to a slowly improving offense.

The injury came at the start of the Huskies’ fourth possession of the final quarter. It was first and ten from NIU’s own 38 and Brooks caught a pass from quarterback Scott Crabtree for a 15-yard completion. Unfortunately on the tackle he landed on his collar bone hard enough to break it.

Before the injury, Brooks recorded two catches for 33 yards. He also produced nine yards on two rushing attempts.

His most important contribution to the team, however, is kick returning. Brooks is the main return man on kickoffs and before the injury he had three returns totaling 49 yards.

Brooks will likely be replaced on both kick returns and split end by senior Steve Rodgers. Rodgers is the main punt returner and Brooks’ backup on offense.

Rodgers finished the game with 28 yards on four catches and he returned two kickoffs totaling 54 yards.