When NIU fullback Alan Rood starts vocalizing his frustration, head coach Joe Novak smiles.

He doesn’t mind when players like Chris Finlen, Trent Clemen and Eric Didesch do it, either. Novak believes overcoming a tendency to keep quiet is just one of the ways his team has improved this spring.

“We have never had a real outspoken group of kids,” he said. “Even last year, Justin [McCariens] and Ryan [Diem] were not guys to jump out and talk at you. We have had a little bit more of that this year. Alan Rood will step up and tell you what is on his mind. I like that — we need that sometimes.”

With only Friday’s finale left in the spring training series, the Huskies will ride into next season with renewed confidence over last year’s 6-5 record. NIU receiver P.J. Fleck said he has seen the results of that confidence in his teammates so far, and he hopes it will translate to the the field.

“It’s been a little more up-tempo — everyone coming out of the locker room has a little bit more life in their step,” Fleck said. “Everyone is real excited about the fall. We’re ready to get there. A lot of young guys are competing for spots, and I think spring ball is a place to prove themselves.”

Spring typically allows players who may have seen limited action during the regular season to showcase their abilities. Running back Thomas Hammock, who played behind Ivory Bryant and William Andrews two years ago, followed up a good spring last year by rushing for more than 1,000 yards.

This year, Novak sees players like tight end Matt Dunker and defensive backs Vince Thompson and Demerist Whitfield emerging similarly.

“For 14 days I do not think that I have been around a team that has practiced as constantly as those guys,” Novak said. “I’ve been real pleased with the attitude and effort. I think it has been a real productive spring.”

Other Huskies see the same excitement and contention Novak sees.

“We’ve had 13 great practices, and we have not had 13 in a row,” Fleck said. “We’ve got a lot of guys injured right now, but that’s what the spring’s about — seeing who’s going to step up. We’ve got a lot of guys stepping up so far.”

Dealing with the rebuilding process after losing 12 seniors last season, the team is ready to work. But aside from just going out and practicing well, players also are bringing a new attitude. Even without offensive support from McCariens and Diem, two probable NFL draft picks, quarterback Chris Finlen still believes his team is more put together than teams in years past.

“The biggest thing is our attitude,” Finlen said. “If you look at the chemistry on the team right now, it’s a lot better than it has been in the past. A lot of it has to do with the guys have won some games and they know how it feels and they want to get that feeling back.”