Six games have passed and it’s been a wild and crazy season for the NIU football team.

The Huskies sit poised at the .500 mark with a 3-3 record just over halfway through their season. They have surprised and have been surprised, but head coach Charlie Sadler can’t be any more pleased. They have already surpassed the two-victory mark of last season and have put a lot more excitement into college football in DeKalb.

As far as numbers go, NIU can boast a few of their NCAA Division I-A statistical rankings. After last Saturday’s game, the Huskies ranked No. 14 in pass efficiency defense, No. 16 in turnover margin, No. 22 in scoring defense and No. 36 in rushing offense. Along with that, NIU’s LeShon Johnson currently ranks No. 10 in the individual rushing category, and UCLA transfer Brian Steger ranked No. 37 in NCAA I-A field goals.

Two of the first four games of the year involved Big Ten teams, both of which the Huskies had chances to win in the fourth quarter. NIU had a 7-0 lead the entire first quarter against the Fighting Illini and led Wisconsin 17-3 at one point in the fourth quarter.

“I was proud of their efforts, proud of the fight they showed. Our guys fought to the bitter end, and we had our opportunities to win,” said Sadler.

After a 2-2 start, Huskie fans were sure of a successful season but had their dreams set on fire when the Division I-AA Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State came to DeKalb to upset the Huskies 21-13.

After that game, hardly anyone could believe NIU defeating the Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi, but it happened, 23-10, and on the first nationally televised game for the Huskies since 1990.

“That was exactly what this team needed for its confidence,” said Sadler. “I’m proud to be able to beat a team like Southern Mississippi.”

Of the five games remaining, two will be at Huskie Stadium. NIU plays host to Liberty this Saturday before traveling to Kalamazoo, Mich., for a Halloween bash with the Broncos of Western Michigan.

The Huskies will remain on the three-game road trip for the first two weekends of November for an afternoon game at Southwestern Louisiana and a high-noon battle of the independents against Army. Finally, NIU ends the regular season at home against the Rockets of Toledo on Nov. 21.