During NIU football coach Joe Novak’s tenure, NIU has become well known for two things – running the ball and running it well. With names like Thomas Hammock, Michael Turner and Garrett Wolfe grabbing the headlines, many important role players get lost in the shuffle.

But with Wolfe and senior backup A.J. Harris out of the game with injuries, Saturday was the story of Davis and Davis at Kent State.

The story of Adrian Davis – the senior who started his first game and finally emerged from the shadows of his predecessors. And the story of Britt Davis – the freshman who showcased his sheer athleticism and fleet feet, and whose best days seem to be in front of him.

Toiling in obscurity for four years is nothing new to college football. The majority of players bust their butt in practice every day for an entire season only to be rewarded with a front-row seat on the sidelines. Sure they might get in the game, but only in garbage time during a blowout.

Adrian Davis has experienced the spectator view a lot in the past four years. Coming into the 2005 campaign, Adrian had 86 career rushes for 316 yards, which is fewer yards than Wolfe rushed for in one game last season at Eastern Michigan. It wasn’t because he wasn’t good enough to start. He just had the misfortune to be stuck behind one of the best running-back tandems in the nation.

But when the injury bug bit hard last week, Adrian was more than ready. He had been waiting for four years for this opportunity. In a post-practice interview last week, Adrian had a gleam in his eye and a sly smile on his lips. He insisted he didn’t need to be the star. He just wanted to win, even if he gained only 50 yards.

Since the senior was brimming with confidence, it was no surprise when Novak heartily endorsed Adrian’s ability to be the starter. For a coach who lost his two star runners, Novak looked practically giddy talking about Adrian.

Truth be told, Adrian didn’t get 50 yards. He got a whole lot more than that. Try 252 and three touchdowns in rainy, windy and cold conditions. Adrian’s performance read like a Hallmark card to Wolfe and Harris: “Get well soon, but don’t hurry back. I’m having too much fun right now.”

Lost amidst the running backs is probably the most dynamic man on the team: Britt Davis.

The redshirt freshman came in with some hype for sure. With more college programs catering to a Michael Vick scramble-and-occasionally-throw style of offense, it’s no surprise when a mobile quarterback gets a lot of attention. With the departure of the steady Josh Haldi, there was a quarterback controversy over who would start this season. The game-time experience of Phil Horvath, or the unlimited athletic potential of Britt?

The game-time experience of Phil Horvath, or the unlimited athletic potential of Britt?

Ultimately, game experience won out. And as Horvath proceeded to put up gaudy completion numbers in the first half of the season, Britt became a relatively forgotten man.

But Novak was not about to waste Britt’s potential. He knew big playmaking ability when he saw it, so he did something truly unexpected. He put the 6-foot-3 Davis on the receiving end of the ball.

Not surprisingly, Britt has flourished in his new role. While he has taken a handful of snaps as a signal caller, Britt has shown why he is the most exciting player on the Huskies’ roster. His 21-yard traversal from sideline to sideline on a quarterback option against Tennessee Tech electrified the crowd. Novak had a star on his hands.

The Broadview native once again showed his big-play ability against Kent State by closing out the Huskies’ scoring with a 34-yard touchdown reception from Horvath. He led the receivers with four receptions for 71 yards on a day that was not suited for hauling in passes.

Halfway through the season, Britt has transitioned from a quarterback of the future to a game-breaking receiver of the now. But that shouldn’t be too surprising from a guy who fashions himself after Peyton Manning and Michael Vick.