NIU quarterback Josh Haldi was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week on Monday after throwing for career highs of 333 yards and six touchdowns in Saturday’s 59-38 win over Western Michigan.

The six touchdown passes were the second most in NIU history, behind George Bork’s seven against Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1963.

Haldi now has 49 career touchdown passes, 11 behind Bork’s record of 60.

“Josh fits into our system just about as well as a quarterback can,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. “Western challenged us to throw the ball Saturday and Josh took advantage of that.”

Linebacker Brian Atkinson received consideration for MAC West Defensive Player of the Week after compiling a team-high 12 tackles against WMU. Kicker Chris Nendick, who was 8-for-8 in extra points Saturday and made a 28-yard field goal, was also considered for special teams player of the week.

Huskies minus two

Guard Matt Rogers, who started nine games for the Huskies last season, has been suspended indefinitely from the team.

“It’s an off-the-field thing,” Novak said. “We’re taking it week-by-week.”

Chris Carr, who was the No. 2 quarterback while Haldi was sidelined earlier this season, has dropped out of school.

Injury update

Atkinson, who took a nasty hit to the helmet during Saturday’s game, will play this week against Ball State, Novak said

“He’s got a slight problem with his jaw,” Novak said. “We’ve been told he’ll be able to play. How well or for how long, we don’t know, but he’ll play.”

Linebacker Javan Lee, who suffered a right knee sprain Oct. 16 against Central Michigan, didn’t start against WMU but made three tackles

“Javan’s a little sore,” Novak said. “It’s week-by-week with him.”

Jason Hutton started in Lee’s place Saturday and had an interception to go along with six tackles

“I thought he did some real good things,” Novak said of Hutton. “He’s one of those guys that sometimes look better in games than in practice.”

Big Bad Wolfe

Running back Garrett Wolfe continues to climb his way up the national rankings.

After rushing for 185 yards Saturday against Western Michigan, he is 10th in the nation in rushing, with an average of 120.9 yards per game. He ranks sixth in total rushing yards with 967 on the season.

His 12 rushing touchdowns rank second while his 15 overall touchdowns lead the nation.

The NIU record of 19 touchdowns in a season is held by Stacey Robinson (1989-90) and Michael Turner (2002).

NFL prodigies

After Sunday’s action, the three MAC quarterbacks in the NFL are a combined 14-3 in starts this season. Miami-Ohio alum Ben Roethlisberger is 4-0 for the Pittsburgh Steelers after taking over for the injured Tommy Maddox. Marshall veterans Byron Leftwich – 5-2 with the Jacksonville Jaguars – and Chad Pennington – 5-1 with the New York Jets – complete the trifecta.

Pennington’s favorite target in New York’s 13-7 loss Sunday to New England was NIU grad Justin McCareins, who caught a career-high six passes for 85 yards. McCareins, who spent his first three years with the Tennessee Titans, has 19 receptions on the season for 260 yards.

NIU’s top career rusher, Michael Turner, has not received any carries this season as a rookie with the San Diego Chargers and is third on the depth chart at running back. The 2004 fifth-round draft pick, however, has seen time in every game with the Chargers’ special teams.