Sometimes a loss is just what a team needs to regain focus – a wakeup call for the rest of the season. At least that’s what NIU coach Joe Novak hopes for Saturday.

After a crushing loss to Ball State at home last week, the NIU football team (4-4 overall, 3-2 MAC) will travel to Central Michigan (5-3, 4-1) to keep its postseason aspirations alive and restore some wounded pride.

“We don’t have much choice but to bounce back,” Novak said. “We had an awful performance last Saturday. We were embarrassed to be honest with you, and I don’t get embarrassed very easily, and neither does our team.”

NIU was riding a three-game win streak into last week’s game against visiting Ball State, ranked 117th in the nation in total defense. But the normally potent NIU running game gained 66 yards in the face of constant blitzes, while the defense allowed 196 rushing yards in a 31-17 defeat at Huskie Stadium.

“We were a little flat last week, I won’t even lie,” senior running back A.J. Harris said. “I think we’ll come out with a lot more energy. We just want to play real bad and redeem ourselves from last week.”

With two conference losses, the Huskies are faced with having to win all three of their remaining games to stay in the hunt for a MAC title.

But beating CMU will be no small task. After losing three of the first four games, the Chippewas bounced back by winning four straight, most notably a 21-17 win over perennial NIU nemesis Toledo.

The Chippewas’ offensive attack is led by freshman running back Ontario Sneed and senior quarterback Kent Smith.

Sneed averages almost 100 yards per game and has accumulated six rushing touchdowns. The NIU defense will also have to contain Smith, a seasoned quarterback who accounted for all three touchdowns with his arms and legs to beat Toledo. The performance earned him this week’s MAC West Offensive Player of the Week.

To stop the mobile duo, senior strong safety Ray Smith said the defense must play physical and not miss as many tackles as last week.

“The first person to touch them has to tackle them,” Smith said. “Every time we get double digits in missed tackles, we lose. We keep it under double digits, we win. It comes down to our defense just tackling.”

Scoring first could be the key for the game. CMU has been outscored 87-126 in the first half this season, but have outscored opponents in the second half 90-45.

After a Ball State game that saw a lack of intensity from the Huskie players, Novak said his team pumped out some of the best practices he’s seen in a long while this week. He’s hoping the renewed focus will translate to the game.

“Anytime you’re a competitor and you don’t play up to your capabilities, I think it bothers you,” the tenth-year coach said. “If it doesn’t, you’re doing the wrong thing. I think they’re very upset and want to atone for it.”