After months of searching, the NIU football team has found a team to fill the fourth non-conference spot on the 2003 schedule.

Tennessee Tech tentatively will visit Huskie Stadium on Sept. 6 during week two in the 2003 season.

Tennessee Tech plays in the Ohio Valley Conference and competes at the Division I-AA level.

Last season, Bowling Green defeated the Golden Eagles 41-7.

Along with Tennessee Tech, NIU is tentatively scheduled to play at home against Maryland on Aug. 30, at Alabama on Sept. 20 and home against Iowa State on Sept. 27. NIU officials have said it is a possibility that the Maryland game could be on ESPN.

NFL prospects

With the NFL combine winding down in Indianapolis, the time could be near for some NIU Huskies to get their shot at the NFL.

On Wednesday, NIU is having an NFL day where scouts from teams come into town and work out players.

No NIU players were invited to the combine in Indianapolis, but a few players have been contacted about possibly working out on Wednesday.

Larry Williams, Vince Thompson, Tim Vincent and Anthony Falbo are NIU players that could be asked to participate in the training.

Former Huskies to Europe

Three former NIU football players are heading to NFL Europe for the 2003 season.

NIU’s all-time leading passer, Chris Finlen signed with the New Orleans Saints in January and is heading to Barcelona to play with the Dragons.

He will be joined by former NIU teammate Darian Tate.

Tate lettered from 1998-’00 at NIU before transferring to Walsh University. Tate, a defensive lineman, was recently signed by the Carolina Panthers.

Jon Pendergrass, a two-year letterman at linebacker and free safety, will play for the Frankfurt Galaxy. Pendergrass was picked up by the Seattle Seahawks.

Gridiron hoop stars

On Feb. 20 in the semifinals of the Highly Competitive division of the basketball Rec league, junior wide receiver Keith Perry suffered a minor ankle sprain.

Perry, a 6-foot-3 jumping jack, teamed with All-MAC defensive back Randee Drew. Their team faced up against a mostly all freshman team made up also of football players, including 6-foot-3 Sam Hurd and 6-foot Shatone Powers, both wide receivers. Perry’s team DRO eventually won, but he wasn’t able to compete in the championship game where they lost.

Off-season cleanup

NIU football had more than its share of injuries last fall. For a few players, the off season has been a time to get some to recuperate.

“None of the injuries were major,” NIU coach Joe Novak said. “They just needed to be cleaned up.”

Among the Huskies to have off-season work were DE Travis Moore (knee), OL Ben Lueck (ankle), QB Josh Haldi (thumb), DE Curtis Crossley (shoulder) and TE Brad Cieslak (knee).