It was the 84th annual Homecoming for the NIU Huskies, and the Broncos of Western Michigan were one of the easiest teams on the 1991 schedule. Though victory was in the hearts and minds of head coach Charlie Sadler and his players and fans, it was not reality as the Broncos handed the Huskies their fourth loss in a row and their fifth of the 1991 season.

Over a year has passed since that day and won’t the Broncos and company be in for a surprise this Saturday in Kalamazoo, Mich., when they go up against the Huskies and LeShon Johnson?

The Huskies are currently 4-3 so far in the 1992 campaign. Sadler and his ballclub are still burning about their games against Wisconsin and Middle Tennessee State, but all of that is history. Another thing that might be history is NIU’s Darryl Richardson. He was the last tailback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. That was in 1983, the year of the California Bowl.

It’s 1992, and there will be no bowl bid for the Huskies, but odds are that there will be a 1,000-yard rushing tailback—LeShon Johnson.

His 192 yards on 28 carries against the Flames of Liberty University last Saturday was the 17th-best rushing performance in NIU history. After Saturday’s numbers, Johnson has moved himself up seven spots to the No. 5 rusher in the nation. He now averages 126.4 yards per game and trails Heisman Trophy candidates Marshall Faulk from San Diego State and Garrison Hearst from Georgia.

Sadler feels that Johnson is a definite All-America candidate.

“At least he is on my ballot,” said Sadler. “Here’s a guy that’s No. 5 nationally in rushing. You look at the national rushing leaders and they all come from good teams. LeShon’s emergence nationally helps our football team. Nobody can gain those yards by themselves. It’s a tribute to all of our players and the improvement of our football team.”

In addition to that, Johnson has also earned Huskie Offensive Player of the Week honors for the fourth time this season.