The college football season officially is over.

But, a pair of Huskies will be remembered for many seasons after this one, at least in the record books.

Running back Michael Turner finished the year as the nation’s second leading rusher and all-purpose yardage gainer.

Turner, a junior from North Chicago, actually came into the season as a backup to two-time All-MAC selection Thomas Hammock. When Hammock went down with a heart condition, Turner took over and excelled.

No. 32 finished second in rushing behind Penn State’s Larry Johnson by .96 yards per game, the closest margin since Ickey Woods of UNLV edged out Pittsburgh’s Craig Heyward by .23 yards per game in 1987.

Johnson also finished first in all-purpose yardage (rushing, receiving and return yardage) with 204.2 yards per game, compared to 190.3 for Turner.

As a result of his performance, Turner was named third-team All-American by The Sporting News. Turner’s selection marks the fourth All-American team the junior has been named to.

However, Turner wasn’t the only Huskie to garner a post-season award.

NIU led the nation in team punt return yardage at 20.2 yards per return, and sophomore Dan Sheldon won the individual punt returner award. Sheldon returned 21 punts for 477 yards for 22.7 yards per return.

Sheldon was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Year and has been selected to two All-American teams.

“That’s a real feather in our cap,” coach Joe Novak said. “Not only is it a tribute to Danny Sheldon, the punt return unit, and our special teams, but to our coaches and all the time we spend in that area. Historically, our program has more than its share of NCAA statistical championships and Michael Turner was right in the fight for two more.”

Hammock hangs it up

Three months after playing the last game of his college career, Hammock made it official.

The two-time MAC First-Team running back and Academic All-American officially ended his playing career on Dec. 23 from his parent’s house in Ft. Wayne, Ind.

“Medicine is not an exact science,” Hammock said. “It is in my best interests not to play football anymore. This is a long-term situation versus a short-term situation. I am not willing to jeopardize my future.

“I will miss the game of football and my teammates,” he said. Football has been part of my life for a long time. I’ve made friendships that I will have for a lifetime.”

Hammock was sidelined after the season opener against Wake Forest. Just one week after the senior running back tallied 172 yards on 38 carries, and scored two touchdowns, Hammock didn’t play against South Florida.

After months of testing, it was discovered that Hammock had an enlarged muscle mass on the left side of his heart.

Hammock graduated in December, a semester early, with a degree in marketing, and is currently working for Wells Fargo Financial in Bolingbrook.

It’s academic

NIU’s football team recently received four more awards. This time it was for efforts made off the football field.

NIU joined Central Michigan and Kent State as the only MAC schools with four players on the league’s All-Academic unit.

The 27-player unit included quarterback Josh Haldi, offensive tackle Tim Vincent, tight end Matt Dunker, and defensive end Jason Frank.

Roushar out

Former NIU offensive coordinator Dan Roushar has left the program to be running backs coach at the University of Illinois.

Roushar, who has been with the program since 1997, has been an offensive coordinator since 1998, and also has spent time at Butler, Rhode Island, Ball State and Illinois in his coaching tenure, which began in 1984.

Roushar also coached at NIU for a year in 1984.

“Dan has given us six great years,” Novak said.

In addition, Roushar coached the interior offensive line.

Quarterback coach Matt Canada will take over the duties as offensive coordinator, and the program will look to fill the offensive line job.

According to Novak, there are a few names on the list for the job, but none of which could be released.

On the trail

With the football season now complete on the field, the second season continues for the coaching staff.

Novak and his staff, led by recruiting coordinator Mike Sabock have about 90 percent of their recruiting done for next season. Novak was optimistic about the recruits, and said that the team’s on-field success has helped greatly in this year’s recruiting.

Because of NCAA rules, Novak is not able to talk individually about any recruits until signing day later in the spring.

But, according to ESPN.com’s Tom Lemming, NIU has gotten a verbal commitment from Andre Brown, a quarterback from Bloomington.

“He’s one of the most accomplished prep QB prospects I’ve seen in the Midwest,” Lemming said. “He’s a take-charge guy with a rifle arm and outstanding mechanics.”