While NIU’s running backs get the glory, Brian Van Acker does the dirty work.

An All-MAC center for the past two seasons, Van Acker has been the heart of the Huskies offensive line. That’s why, before the season, his teammates voted him one of three team captains.

The senior took time after practice to discuss the aftermath of the Ball State loss, the rest of the season and who he’s got a soft spot for.

Northern Star: How big a setback was the loss to Ball State?

Brian Van Acker: Obviously it was disappointing. Not only to the football team but the fans included. You know, I don’t know if it was a setback, but it was more like a learning experience. We can’t come out here just because we’re Northern Illinois. We do need to come out with enthusiasm and play our game like we’ve been doing years before.

NS: After the game, what was the mood like in the locker room?

BVA: You can just imagine what it was like; horrible. Its a horrible thing to lose to a team that you never want to lose to and haven’t lost to in the last six or seven years. It’s a terrible experience. But I think that’s what’s going to motivate us through these next three games.

NS: This year it seems like any team can beat any other team. Is this the hardest year in the MAC since you’ve been here?

BVA: It seems as though a lot of the MAC teams have a lot of even talent. So I don’t know if its the hardest it’s been. But there’s a lot of talent throughout the MAC.

NS: What is the biggest thing you took away from Ball State?

BVA: I guess … take the initiative. We need to go to these next three games and play our football from the get-go. We cannot wait until the second half or the fourth quarter to kick it in gear.

NS: With all that’s happened this year, would it make it any sweeter if three weeks from now you’re the top team in the MAC?

BVA: Ah man. It’d make it that much sweeter. If we … well, when we win these three games it will be that much sweeter.

NS: Which of the last three do think will be the toughest?

BVA: All of them are going to be tough because all of them want to beat Northern Illinois. But, not looking ahead, I can’t wait for that Toledo game. They are always a great challenge, and they’ve beat us so many times. I just don’t want to go out without beating Toledo yet.

NS: Being a senior, this is going to be your last crack at Toledo. How big is this game for you?

BVA: Throughout my football career I’ve never lost to somebody five times in a row. It’s huge. Toledo is our huge game. I take that back. Everybody is our huge game. But everyone I think inside has a little soft spot for Toledo because they just want to beat them so bad.