See if this script sounds familiar:

A complete unknown steps up and helps his team win the big game. And just when life can’t get any better, he gets the girl.

It’s boring, repetitive and describes many sports movies made in the past 10 years. But for NIU’s Dustin Utschig, it was the greatest week of his life.

Over the course of seven days, Utschig went from just another special teams player, to an engaged, bowl game MVP with a tan. It’s amazing what can be accomplished in the course of 168 hours.

“It was the most exciting week of my life,” Utschig said. “I won’t be able to top that one for a while. At least not until my wedding day or something like that.”

The past few weeks can’t even compare with the one at the beginning of January. But it’s these weeks of practice, and the NIU intra-squad spring football game on Saturday, that may bring more memorable weeks for Utschig.

With the departure of senior Lionel Hickenbottom, Utschig is in the forefront to get off the special teams squad and make a name for himself as an everyday starter.

“Dustin is everything we are looking for [at free safety] in our system,” NIU defensive coordinator Denny Doornbos said. “He’s a tough kid and a big hitter, and we are expecting some big things out of him.”

NIU got a taste of those big things last Dec. 30, which just so happened to be the very beginning of Utschig’s week to remember.

Despite coming to California and only seeing rain, Utschig was having the time of his life at the Silicon Valley Football Classic. He’d play on national television and right after the game, catch a flight to Las Vegas where his family and girlfriend were waiting for him.

Then the second quarter happened. Tied 14-14, Utschig and teammate David McDermott pulled off a lightning cross where they intersected paths on the way for a blocked punt attempt. McDermott took on a blocker while Utschig broke through the line for the stuff.

NIU recovered, Chris Nendick made a 30-yard field goal and the Huskies went on to win the game.

That blocked punt, combined with a career high five tackles, garnered Utschig the special teams MVP for the game.

But what about the girl?

Back in Las Vegas, Bridget Behnke watched her high school sweetheart win the MVP award on ESPN from one of the casinos.

“It was very exciting,” Behnke said. “I was there with his family, and it was hard to see him on TV. But then he made that block and we were all screaming.”

After the game, Utschig caught his flight and met up with Behnke and his family. Then they all hopped on another plane to the Caribbean for a cruise.

But rest and relaxation wasn’t the only thing on Utschig’s mind.

“I was pretty nervous the whole trip,” Utschig said. “I didn’t know how well everything would work out. But everything ended up perfect.”

Utschig couldn’t tell you where exactly their ship was, but one night him and Behnke headed to the top of the ship for what Behnke thought was a cocktail party.

There, in a small chapel, Utschig dropped to one knee and got the girl.