The running back tandem that NIU coach Joe Novak calls one of the best in the nation makes its way back on the field.

The duo of Garrett Wolfe and A.J. Harris sat out the spring intra-squad scrimmage Saturday nursing injuries to the players’ right shoulders.

Harris has been recuperating faster than his partner and was able to participate in a walk-through practice on Friday without pads.

“My injury was a little bit more severe,” Wolfe said.

After visiting the doctor Thursday, Wolfe will see the doctor again this Thursday and hopes to be cleared in the next two weeks.

“It’s still sore,” Wolfe said. “It’s still swollen, and I can’t play until the swelling goes away. But when I first injured it, I couldn’t do certain types of lifts. But the last time I went to the doctor I was able to, which I was happy about.”

Last season, the two combined for 2,565 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns while splitting time in the backfield.

NIU’s top prospect

Some of the nation’s top players are looking up at NIU offensive lineman Doug Free.

In a poll released Thursday by Collegefootballnews.com, Free is the No. 18 prospect going into next season.

The Web site said that “the Freak” is “a frightening blend of strength and speed” and with time could become one of the nation’s top run blockers.

The top three spots in the 32-player list are held by Oklahoma’s Adrian Peterson and USC’s Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush.

“It’s a great thing to be up there with those names,” said Free, who was a first-team all-state defensive end in high school at 240 pounds, but now weighs 305. “I never thought I’d accomplish anything like that because I didn’t play offensive line much before NIU.”

An extra year on the line

Five years just wasn’t enough for NIU offensive guard Ben Lueck.

The NCAA waived the five-year, 10-semester rule for Lueck and granted him a sixth year.

“That certainly is good news for both Ben and our program,” Novak said. “This gives him another year to play. It also means that we have three of our five starters returning from a strong offensive line – maybe the best overall across-the-board in my time here – from last year.”

The official announcement came Monday after the NCAA said Lueck’s injuries were “extraordinary and not foreseeable” plus “rose to the level of extraordinary circumstances.”

Lueck missed the 2001 season with a head injury and has been plagued by ankle injuries throughout his career.

Four is a crowd

With the 29th pick in the fourth round of the weekend’s NFL draft, the San Diego Chargers took running back Darren Sproles from Kansas State.

That may not be the best news for former Huskie Michael Turner.

Taken with the 22nd pick in the fifth round in 2004, Turner was the No. 3 back for the Chargers last season.

Turner rushed for 104 yards on 20 attempts and no touchdowns in 14 games last year.

Pressure on O-lines

NIU quarterbacks didn’t have a lot of time to do much of anything Saturday.

Throughout the spring intra-squad game, the Huskies defensive line spent more time in the offense’s backfield then it did on its own side. The pressure resulted in 11 sacks and numerous poor throws.

Leading the way was junior Ken West with two sacks. NIU’s leader in sacks last year, West made his presence felt on the second play of the game when he sacked Phil Horvath and forced a fumble.

“It was fun out there,” West said with a laugh. “Especially when I got [Horvath].”

Opinions that matter

The coaches are happy about the new end zone facility, but what about the players?

After the spring intra-squad game, NIU football players weighed in their opinions on the new facility that could be built in 12-14 months.

Running back Montell Clanton was told of the project when he was being recruited and said it was one of the reasons he chose NIU, while juniors Phil Horvath and Ken West just hope it gets built before they leave.

And if you talk to Adriel Hansbro, the new building can’t come fast enough.

“Lets get it quicker,” Hansbro said. “With the way it looked when I saw the pictures, it looks real nice. And I want it.”