unior Brian Van Acker will replace the only starting offensive lineman lost to graduation for the NIU football team.

Three-year starter and All-MAC center Todd Ghilani is off to pursue a pro career, and Van Acker – who improved bench presses to 390 pounds – is excited to replace him. “The Hogs” up front, however, won’t have the luxury of blocking for the nation’s No. 2 leading rusher of the past two years in Michael Turner.

Van Acker took time after practice Wednesday morning to answer some questions.

Northern Star: I heard a lot of people say your last name wrong, and it’s pronounced Van-Acre. Does that ever get old?

Brian Van Acker: It gets other people more than it gets me. It trips on me a bit, but it’s been pronounced wrong so many times, it doesn’t bother me anymore. What are you going to do but let it roll off?

NS: The question of the year is still, who will replace Michael Turner? Who do you think should be the starting running back and why?

BVA A.J. Harris. He’s got the most experience. He’s matured big time over the last year and has been shining in practice. He’s really taking to the position.

NS: I know that you played some guard last year. Now that you’re the starting center, what were some things that you learned from Ghilani?

BVA: He’s been more of a motivator than anything. He was something to chase because I wanted his spot. He’s been my motivation to get stronger, faster and better.

NS: Outside of your time playing guard at NIU, you played tackle in high school. Has the transition between the positions been easy?

BVA: Yeah. It hasn’t been too hard because I really enjoy snapping the ball and playing the center spot.

NS: Isn’t the center considered the leader of the line?

BVA: I call all the offensive line protection for every play, so I have to know what to call for all the defenses. I do my best to control the line, but I can’t control everything. I really get a lot of help from Jake [Verstraete] and Benny [Lueck].

NS: As a first-year starter, can you see the chemistry forming between you and the returning linemen?

BVA: It shouldn’t be a problem. The whole line has been around each other for so long. Me, Jake, Jake [Ebenhoch] and Benny have grown with each other and bonded together.

NS: The rumor is former offensive lineman Matt McGhghy is returning to the team. What can you tell me about that?

BVA: Word is he’s coming back. We talked about it in the meeting room the other day. Hopefully he does return because he’d only be a strength. He’d probably be a backup at center. He was a guard when he left.