Editor’s note: NIU football coach Joe Novak allowed the Northern Star locker-room access before, during and after Saturday’s game against Central Michigan. This is what the Star saw and heard.

To be or not to be. To wear sleeves or not.

The issue came up long before the Huskies took on Central Michigan on a cold, raw day at Huskie Stadium.

More than two hours before the 3:05 p.m. kickoff, kicker Chris Nendick had something to say on the subject.

“You must be crazy not to wear sleeves,” Nendick told defensive end Ken West in the hallway outside NIU’s locker room.

Nendick was not the only Huskie to voice his opinion.

“I ain’t wearing no sleeves,” wide receiver Sam Hurd said.

Pregame offensive meeting

Offensive coordinator John Bond started the meeting by talking about the experience the Huskies had the night before, when they saw the movie “Friday Night Lights” at the Market Square Cinemas next to Wal-Mart.

He told his players how quarterback Josh Haldi made a young boy’s day just by saying “hello.”

“Sometimes we forget what impact we have on people,” Bond said. “When the Huskies walked into that theater, people looked at you like you were a bunch of rock stars. It was awesome to sit back and watch people’s reactions.”

Bond went on to say how the Huskies must be held accountable for their performance.

“We have a responsibility to ourselves and our teammates to do our job today,” Bond said. “Let’s lock in and freaking roll. Let’s play like we’re capable of playing.”

Assistant head coach Sam Pittman warned the Huskies that the Chippewas were not afraid to drop the gloves.

“This is the most physical, tough team you’ll play this year,” Pittman said. “I guarantee it. You better get going from the get-go.”

Pregame defensive meeting

Defensive coordinator Denny Doornbos, who normally appears to be a quiet, soft-spoken man, morphed into a new person when he had his defense assembled before him.

He even had a scrawny, 175-pound reporter ready to make a hit.

“It all starts with three-and-outs and takeaways,” Doornbos said. “Mentally tough, one play at a time. We play with poise, we play with confidence, we play together! Play physically tough! Attack, attack, attack!”

Doornbos emphasized the need for the Huskies to stop CMU running back Jerry Seymour, the MAC’s leading rusher.

“We must get after their running back,” Doornbos said. “Pressure, OK? Big hits. I want this little guy going home, saying ‘Hey, that’s the toughest group of players I’ve ever played in my life.’ That’s what I want that guy to say. Get three and four guys around him and knock him out.”

Five minutes to kickoff

You could have heard a pin drop as Novak stepped in front of his players to give his pregame speech.

Players who had spent the past two hours laughing, joking and napping now stood at rapt attention and looked to their coach for motivation.

Novak started off by praying for the safety of the players and the fans.

After he led the players and coaches in a saying of the “Lord’s Prayer,” Novak got his word in.

“I don’t have much to say,” Novak said. “You know what you’re doing. You know what you’re playing for and you’re prepared. I’m going to say this to ya. Defense: We gotta get after that [Seymour], men. You gotta have a lot of guys around him. I’m going to tell you something: It’s real simple. We play Huskie football today. And you know what that is? Be physical, with emotion, for 60 minutes! Physical! Emotion! 60 minutes!”

Halftime

Frustration was the theme in the NIU locker-room after the first half ended with the Huskies up 7-3. Both the offensive and defensive meetings were quiet, subdued affairs.

Doornbos challenged his defense to make the Chippewas throw the ball.

“Let’s really be disciplined in our fills,” Doornbos said. “Don’t go guessing out there. Play defense like you’ve been coached. If they have to pass the ball down the field, I think we’ll be in good shape.”

The players got another challenge from Novak, who implied that maybe the Huskies didn’t want the game as bad as they said they did.

“I’ll tell you what,” Novak said. “Nobody’s giving you anything, guys, right? Nobody, nobody, nobody! If you want something like you say you want it, you gotta go get it!”

Postgame

Novak didn’t have much to say after the Huskies routed the Chippewas in the second half and won 42-10.

“We didn’t start out like I hoped we would,” Novak said. “If we ever put two halves together, we might be pretty good. Go out and enjoy this; but be smart. Don’t do a thing to hurt this team – or more importantly, yourself.”

The players then broke into the school fight song, with defensive end Travis Moore leading the cheers.

Locker room quotes

Cornerback Alvah Hansbro on the weather: “Jack Frost’s out to bite somebody today.”

Safety Dustin Utschig, on his teammates’ pointy skull caps: “You all going to look like elves on the sidelines.”

Strength coach Matt Mangum, after the showing of the pregame highlight video: “Let’s get ready to bust some skulls out there.”

West on his boisterous teammates: “We got some clowns up in here.”

Moore on his oiling preferences: “I oil up everything.”

Offensive tackle Jake VerStraete, as he and some teammates headed into the postgame press conference: “Make sure your flies are up.”

Cornerback Deon Smith, on Haldi’s throwing abilities: “Haldi’s always trying to break your fingers. He throws that ball hard.”

Defensive tackle Martin Wilson, on the actions of the CMU offensive line: “That’s the most I’ve been held in my entire life.”

Guard Matt McGhghy, on the presence – or lack thereof – of offensive linemen in postgame press conferences: “How come the linemen never get to go in that room?”

Pittman, on McGhghy’s rush to get something to keep his head warm: “I thought you tore your kneecap trying to get that stocking cap.”

Pittman to his offensive line: “Beat them up, men. People paid good money to see you beat them up.”

Running back Garrett Wolfe on his body temperature: “I got on two sleeves and I’m still cold.”

Wide receiver Kevin Woods on his equipment needs: “I just want a headwarmer. It’s cold as [heck] out there.”