After two competitive games against Big Ten schools, it would be easy for the NIU football team to take Division I-AA opponent Tennessee Tech. for granted.

After all, when the teams last met in 2003, NIU steamrolled TTU 42-17 with 421 yards of total Huskie offense.

But after a 0-2 start to the season, that’s just what NIU head coach Joe Novak doesn’t want his team to do.

“Our kids respect them,” the 10th-year coach said. “When we only play 11 games in a season, all of them are important. It’s their only time against a Division I school this year. There are no easy [games].”

The Huskies will go for their first victory of the season against the Golden Eagles (1-1) with kickoff scheduled for 3:05 p.m. Saturday at Huskie Stadium.

Statistics seem to back up Novak’s caution. While NIU put up impressive offensive numbers in the previous meeting, the Golden Eagles (1-1) outgained the Huskies with 445 yards of their own. The trend is continuing this year as TTU is averaging 456 yards and 37.5 points per game through its first two games of the season.

On the other side of the ball, the Huskie defense has had difficulty matching up against high-powered offenses this year and has not been effective in stopping the passing game. They have yet to register a sack or interception this season while surrendering an average of 35.5 points in two games.

The defense also will have to deal with the running back tandem of senior Trey Bonner and junior Anthony Ash, who have combined for 239 yards per game. Ash is coming off a 154-yard, three touchdown performance against Lambuth.

History will dictate that NIU’s offensive strategy will be a familiar one – run, run and an occasional pass. The offensive coaching staff has called for the run more than 60 percent of the time over the last three seasons. And with junior Garrett Wolfe leading the nation in rush yards, Novak gave credit to his top running back as well as saying this year’s offensive line is one of the best he has ever coached.

“Garrett has tremendous vision,” Novak said. “Those are things I’d love to take credit for, but that’s just instinct and great blocking.”

With early-season national-television exposure, Wolfe is sure not to be an unknown commodity to TTU’s front seven, which could turn into eight or nine. The Golden Eagles’ defense has not allowed an opponent to rush for more than 100 yards in 11 straight games.

The onus will be on junior quarterback Phil Horvath to use his arm to keep TTU from stacking the line and keeping the safeties deep. Horvath completed 24 of 36 passes against Northwestern Saturday for 283 yards, including a crucial 19-yard touchdown to senior wideout Sam Hurd with six seconds remaining in the game.

One possible area of concern for the Huskie running game is how center Brian Van Acker’s ankle will hold up. The senior captain sustained a sprain against Northwestern and was slightly limited in practice this week, but should remain in the starting lineup.

Home field advantage should serve the Huskies well as NIU averaged 27,052 fans per home game last season while finishing 4-1 on Brigham Field.

As if the first home game of the season wasn’t enough motivation, getting the first win of the season is enough to make junior tight end Jake Nordin take their opponent seriously.

“We’re preparing as if it were Michigan or any other big opponent,” Nordin said. “We can’t take them lightly. We have to win to get momentum for the MAC games coming up. This is a pivotal game for our season.”