Garrett Wolfe has never become accustomed to the role of spectator.

While the rest of NIU’s running backs racked up yards against Tennessee Tech, Wolfe was stuck on the sidelines with a right shoulder injury.

But NIU fans don’t have to worry about Wolfe not playing in the MAC opener at Akron.

“The injury is very minor,” Wolfe said. “They just kept me out for precautions.”

Wolfe, who was the nation’s leading rusher before Saturday, dropped to fourth in the nation after not playing in the second half.

To make matters worse, Saturday marked the first time in Wolfe’s career that he failed to score a touchdown.

INJURY UPDATE

Another key member of NIU’s offense was sidelined early in Saturday’s game.

Tight end Jake Nordin limped off the field in the second quarter after catching a pass to get NIU inside TTU’s 10-yard line. He was later diagnosed with an injured hip.

Though not playing in the second half, Nordin could still be seen in pads and walking around on the sidelines in obvious discomfort.

After the game, Novak said he didn’t know what the injury was or the extent of it. Novak added that Nordin would probably play against Akron.

BACK 2 BACK

Any questions about NIU being able to move the ball have been officially answered.

In the past two games, the Huskies have racked up more than 1,100 yards of offense with consecutive 500-plus yardage outputs.

With NIU’s run-first philosophy, it’s no surprise the running game leads the attack with 574 yards. Against TTU, the Huskies rambled for 318 yards and 256 against Northwestern on Sept. 10.

And despite questions surrounding the passing game before the season, Phil Horvath and company are only 26 yards behind the running game. Horvath threw for 283 in Evanston, and the Huskie quarterbacks combined for 265 on Saturday.

Horvath’s four touchdown passes Saturday tied his career high he set in his second collegiate game against Iowa State.

SILICON VALLEY REVISITED

Ex-Huskie Josh Haldi was back on the field Saturday.

Along with teammates Brian Atkinson and Jake Verstraete, Haldi stood at midfield during halftime and proudly displayed the Silicon Valley Football Classic Trophy last year’s team won.

Along with the members of last year’s team were members of another NIU bowl team.

In 1965, NIU went 9-1 and made it to the Mineral Water Bowl. Forty years later, many of those players were standing next to Haldi to be recognized.