There seems to be a youth movement going on within the NIU football team.

Four true freshmen saw significant playing time in Saturday’s 23-22 win against Southern Illinois.

Kicker Chris Nendick made three of four field-goal attempts against the Salukis and even tackled Brent Little after Little’s 37-yard kickoff return.

Wide receiver Marcus Perez caught three passes for 61 yards and threw a 61-yard touchdown pass. Fellow receiver Matt Simon also received playing time, while Zack Holycross started at defensive tackle.

“We’ve got a good number of freshmen who have contributed in a very positive way,” NIU coach Joe Novak said.

Another true freshman, defensive end Larry English, impressed Novak with his play against Maryland in the season opener but sat out Saturday’s game with a left ankle sprain.

Novak said the chances of English playing this week at Iowa State are 50-50.

“I’m very excited about him,” Novak said. “Injuries happen, but you can’t rush him back. We have to get him healthy before he can play.”

From the bleachers

The suspensions of wide receivers Sam Hurd and Shatone Powers for the Southern game had much to do with Perez’s success.

Hurd and Powers missed Saturday’s game – and watched from the east bleachers – after missing a makeup study session. They had until this morning to make up the mandatory session and be eligible for this week’s game at Iowa State.

“It’s not only studies,” Novak said. “We stress to our players that they’ve got to do the right thing. That’s what we expect from our guys.”

Awards time

Strong safety Ray Smith was named MAC West defensive player of the week after registering 14 tackles (11 solo) against the Salukis. He also broke up a pass. This comes a week after Smith was an honorable-mention selection for piling up 17 takedowns and two forced fumbles against Maryland.

The 6-foot-1, 181-pound Smith had a trial by fire last season, as he started four games after starter Akil Grant went down with an injury.

“Ray stepped in last year for Akil and he’s continuing to do a great job,” Novak said.

Running back A.J. Harris earned an honorable mention nod for MAC West offensive player of the week for his career-high 139 rushing yards versus SIU, and Dan Sheldon received consideration for MAC West special teams player of the week for returning four punts for 47 yards and recovering an SIU onside kick.

Touchdown time

Southern Illinois’ two touchdowns Saturday came against NIU cornerback Rob Lee, who tweaked his left ankle during the second half and had the ankle retaped.

Novak doesn’t seem worried about the touchdowns.

“If you play back there, you’re going to get beat sometimes,” Novak said. “I think as a whole, Rob played pretty well.”

Lee said that after Saturday’s game, his ankle felt “fine.”