In USA Today’s “Around the MAC” section on Monday, Garrett Wolfe was called NIU’s top offensive weapon. A flattering statement for most, Wolfe is still being short-changed.

Leading the nation in overall scoring, Wolfe is in the top 10 for rushing yardage, rushing, overall touchdowns and rushing attempts.

No other running back in the MAC – let alone the Midwest – can lay claim to a top 10 spot in two of those categories, let alone all five.

This gives reason to say that Garrett Wolfe is the most lethal college football tailback in the Midwest. Including teams from the MAC, Big Ten, Big 12, Conference USA, as well as the SEC, he’s in some pretty good company.

Garrett has rushed for 782 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this season. These stats are slightly skewed against Wolfe. He only saw 34 of his 142 rushing attempts as NIU’s No. 2 back for the first three games.

So it’s safe to say that Wolfe didn’t break out until the Huskies reached conference play. Since the Sept. 24 Bowling Green game, No. 1 has rushed for 680 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Those numbers break down to an average of 170 yards and two-plus TDs a game. Those are pretty decent numbers, no matter what school a back plays for.

Just imagine the numbers Wolfe would have if he played the entire season first on the depth chart. How does a nation-leading 1,190 yards rushing with at least 17 touchdowns sound?

Despite the rushing numbers, Wolfe sets himself apart from the rest of the pack as a receiving threat as well.

Averaging 16.7 yards per catch, Wolfe has found the end zone three times. With six catches, Wolfe crosses the goal line every other time a ball is thrown to him.

Now, the critics might question how a claim like this is made, but Wolfe plays against teams out of the MAC, not the Big Ten.

Comparing Wolfe to the big-boy conferences is like comparing apples to a T-bone steak. Although football is the same game, competition just isn’t.

Here’s how the sophomore’s conference stats compare to the big boys’ total season stats: If you just took Wolfe’s four MAC games and everyone else’s entire season, there are only 14 running backs who would have more rushing yards than Wolfe. Kansas State Heisman Trophy hopeful Darren Sproles would hold only a 38-yard lead.

As far as scoring goes, only three players would have scored more total points. Only two of these are running backs – DeAngelo Williams of Memphis and Lonta Hobbs of Texas Christian.

Although he may not receive any credit this year, look for Wolfe to be on both the Heisman and Doak Walker award watch in 2005.