Replacing a running back is nothing new for NIU football coach Joe Novak.

In 1999, William Andrews rushed for 1,127 yards and nine touchdowns. Questions arose as to who would replace him.

Then sophomore Thomas Hammock, a little-recruited back from Ft. Wayne, Ind., stepped in and gained the respect of his peers and coaches by rushing for more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons.

Hammock was primed for his third straight 1,000-yard season in 2002 when tragedy struck.

Hammock was unable to play after an exam revealed he had a heart condition just one week into the season.

The news came on the heels of a 172-yard, 38-carry performance that included two touchdowns in the Huskies’ 42-41 win over Wake Forest in the 2002 season opener.

Things were looking bad the next week when backup running back Michael Turner amassed only 66 yards on 29 carries in a 37-6 beating at South Florida.

All Turner did was go on to become the school’s leading rusher and the second-leading rusher in MAC history.

His likeness was plastered on T-shirts, hot sauce and fraternity and sorority sweatshirts.

He and the Huskies were a daily conversation piece on ESPN’s “Around the Horn” and “Pardon the Interruption.”

This season presents the same questions as were heard in 2000 and 2002.

Who is going to play running back?

In reality, Novak has more running backs than he knows what to do with.

Novak has recruited four running backs who could see significant playing time.

A.J. Harris, Adrian Davis, Garrett Wolfe and Cas Prime could play at any school in the conference and probably could be many teams’ No. 1 back.

The only problem is they have a combined 636 career rushing yards.

Not to worry.

The four backs all have pure skill and are amazingly gifted.

Each brings something different to the table.

Harris was a track state champion in high school and has been the backup for two years.

Prime was the 2003 Wisconsin Player of the Year.

Wolfe had moved to No. 2 on the depth chart in 2003 before eligibility requirements temporarily ended his season.

Davis weighs 183 pounds and bench presses 400.

So, fear not, Huskies fans. Smokin’ Joe has it all under control.

While most people around the conference will see NIU as thin at the running back position, know that NIU will not be hurting at all.

It won’t take the league long to realize that Novak and the Huskies have the best group of running backs in the conference.

Maybe the best platoon the school ever has seen.