Running back A.J. Harris practiced Sunday with the NIU football team, but still may not play Saturday at Central Florida, Huskies coach Joe Novak said.

“We had a light workout last night and he participated in it,” Novak said. “He’s not 100 percent yet. This week will be key.”

NIU’s Garrett Wolfe rushed for 110 yards in his first start Saturday against Akron. Wolfe’s backup, Adrian Davis, came into the game in the second half to rush for 109 yards.

“Having Garrett and Adrian there, who are two very capable backs, I feel comfortable with where we are,” Novak said.

Wolfe stepped in for Harris Sept. 24 against Bowling Green after Harris left the game in the second quarter because of an ankle injury. Wolfe rushed for 202 yards in the second half on his way to the co-MAC West Offensive Player of the Week.

Defense electrified

The NIU defense sacked the MAC’s top returning passer, Charlie Frye, seven times in Saturday’s game.

NIU defensive end Ken West tied an NIU record with three sacks in the game and was nominated for MAC West Defensive Player of the Week.

Frye left the game in the fourth quarter and his replacement, Jabari Arthur, was sacked once.

“The defense was a question mark coming in,” Novak said. “We’ve got guys like [Zach] Holycross, West and [Adam] Schroeder really stepping up and playing well.”

Brian Atkinson and Travis Moore also had two sacks apiece. Novak said he was pleased to see Moore play well after sitting out last year because of problems with his right knee.

“It’s always good to have a kid like that who’s experienced,” Novak said. “He’s not 100 percent at this point, but he’s still pretty darn good. I think he’s one of the reasons Kenny West has emerged like he has; he’s following Travis’ lead.”

Three Huskies nominated

NIU received nominations in all three Player-of-the-Week categories Monday.

Adding to West’s nomination on defense, wide receiver Dan Sheldon was nominated for Offensive Player of the Week after catching eight passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns. The senior also returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter.

Chris Nendick, who won MAC Special Teams Player of the Week last week, was nominated again after successfully kicking 7 of 7 PATs.

“I’ve been very happy with him,” Novak said of the true-freshman kicker. “He’s got a great demeanor, which is so important for a kicker. He’s cool and collected and I think he’s going to have a great career here.”

Wolfe, Sheldon hold top spots

NIU holds the top two spots for individual all-purpose yards in the MAC.

Wolfe is No. 1 with 744 total yards, averaging 148.8 yards per game. Sheldon is second, averaging 147.0 with 735 yards.

“A guy like Garrett or Dan has great skills to make plays,” Novak said. “If you’re going to have a good team, you’ve got to have those guys and we’ve got a bunch of them.”

Wolfe is the only Huskie to have a touchdown in every game and leads the MAC in points scored, with 54 points on nine touchdowns.

Back above .500

NIU is now 2-0 in MAC play and, with a 3-2 overall record, one of only three teams in the MAC with records over .500. Ohio and Toledo are the other teams with winning records.

NIU received two points in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches’ Poll after receiving one last week.

“It’s not that important, but I do notice,” Novak said. “It’s pleasing to see that people do recognize us.”

Novak said he did not vote for the Huskies in either week.

Backups see more PT

The biggest morale booster Saturday was not from beating Akron by 30 points, but from getting second- and third-string players game action, Novak said.

Backup quarterback Zach Ullrich saw his first minutes of game time and completed one of two passes before the Huskies were forced to punt.

Phil Horvath, who started NIU’s past three games while injured Josh Haldi recovered from a stress fracture in his right foot, saw time in the second half, completing two of four passes for 26 yards before being hurried into an interception.

“That was big for morale,” Novak said. “Remember [Horvath and Ullrich] were playing with the second-stringers too. I wanted to get Phil a few more snaps, and it was nice to get Zach in there too.”