Although NIU running back Michael Turner will try to lead the Huskies to a post-season birth this year, he already has secured at least one post-season game.

Turner accepted an invitation to play in the 79th annual East-West Shrine Game next January at Pacific Bell Park in San Francisco.

“This means that Michael is considered one of the top running backs in the country,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. “It’s a great honor for Michael and our program. It’s a showcase for both him and our football program. These post-season games are very competitive and try to get the best players the earliest they can. It’s exciting for us.”

Turner’s 1,915 yards last season set a new MAC record and placed the senior 13th all-time for single-season rushing yards in Division I history.

Williams hangs it up

For NIU linebacker Larry Williams, the smallest things can make all the difference.

Williams opted not to play professional football in Canada to stay close to his 2-year-old-daughter.

“I’m calling it a career,” he said. “I think it’s best if I stay here and support my family and see my daughter.”

Williams would have started out making $48,000 in Canada. But, with the exchange rate, that’s only $25,000 in American money.

A Huskie from 1999 to ’03, Williams is now applying for entry-level positions in business management, which was his major.

The 6-foot, 229-pound Williams finished last season with 130 tackles, 10 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.

Two Huskies to watch

While the buzz around Huskieville has been about Heisman Trophy candidate Michael Turner, two other NIU players have made a name for themselves on a national stage.

Defensive lineman Travis Moore was named one of 39 players on the National Rotary Lombardi Award watch list.

The award is given to the best down lineman or defensive player who lines up within five yards of the ball.

Moore joins fellow MAC players Jason Babin (Western Michigan) and Nick Kaczur (Toledo) on the list.

“That’s really great recognition for Travis and our program,” Novak said. “Travis is what I would call a ‘self-made player.’ He got in the weight room, improved and worked hard. He made himself into an All-MAC player. His stock really took off last year.”

Moore, a former walk-on, entered NIU as a linebacker before moving to defensive end.

Less than a week after Moore was honored, fellow Huskie Todd Ghilani was named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list.

Ghilani was named one of 36 interior lineman to look out for next season.

“Todd’s a good athlete; intelligent,” Novak said. “He’s a veteran and has played a lot of snaps. He’s a vocal leader and makes all our line calls for us, which kind of makes him the quarterback of our offensive line.”

Ghilani started 23 games as a Huskie and has earned a letter each of his first three years.

Racin’ Huskies

Two NIU football players were enjoying their summer in a different way than most of their teammates.

Tight end Brad Cieslak and linebacker Jason Hawkins raced at Byron Dragway on May 18.

Cieslak raced his 1970 Nova while Hawkins raced his 1970 Chevelle. Hawkins’ dad, Joe, also races in Byron.

Let the hype begin

It seems some of the hype around the most anticipated NIU football season in two decades has spread throughout the country.

Besides the individual awards bestowed on Turner, Moore, Ghilani and kick returner Dan Sheldon, the team as a whole also is gaining attention.

“Sure, the national recognition is nice,” Novak said. “But remember, it’s June. All this stuff doesn’t mean anything once we kick it off versus Maryland. These magazines and Web sites don’t win football games.

“We’ve got to win some games. We’ve got summer workouts and August two-a-days ahead of us. And don’t forget, everyone on our schedule will be reading the same publications. We’ve told Michael Turner that he’ll be wearing a target on his back all season.”

The Huskies are picked second in the West Division behind Bowling Green at collegefootballnews.com and Athlon Sports.

In Phil Steele’s College Football Preview, the Huskies are picked to win the MAC West.

NIU also was picked to win the West by Street and Smith’s College Football magazine.

The highest rating from any magazine came from the Sporting News. TSN made Novak’s squad the top choice in the West, with a ranking of 45th nationally.