Most schools have their claim to fame about their athletic programs. Notre Dame has Knute Rockne, Ohio State has Earl Bruce, and Liberty has—TV evangelist Jerry Falwell.

If you keep your eyes peeled at Huskie Stadium tomorrow, you might catch him when the Flames of Liberty University (4-3) take on the Huskies at 1:05.

For the second time this season NIU will play a team headed by a former NFL coach. Back on Sept. 19, the Huskies went down to Jonesboro, Ark., to defeat former New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Ray Perkins and the Arkansas State Indians.

Saturday, NIU head coach Charlie Sadler and his squad will go up against another former NFL head coach in Sam Rutigliano.

Rutigliano had a 47-51 record in seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns. However, Sadler feels that the NFL experience won’t have an effect.

“I don’t think it makes any difference,” said Sadler.

NIU senior quarterback Rob Rugai began practice this week but is still recovering from a right knee sprain. Consequently, junior Scott Crabtree will get his second straight start as the Huskie quarterback.

“Rob started back to practice this week for the first time in two weeks,” said Sadler. “He’s not quite 100 percent. However, if we need him, we’ll call on him to play.”

Crabtree is 10-of-30 for 144 yards and one touchdown so far this season. He will work together with junior tailback LeShon Johnson, who is coming off the best game of his career against Southern Mississippi and currently ranks No. 12 in the nation in rushing. The two will lead an offense that has compiled an average of more than 330 yards per game.

The Huskie defense hopes to continue its domination. NIU ranks No. 20 in the nation in scoring defense, No. 16 in pass efficiency defense and has yet to give up a point in the third quarter. The Huskies have also forced nine fumbles and eight interceptions ranking them No. 17 in turnover margin.

NIU is the only school in the nation with three players in the Top 20 list for Division I-A tacklers. Senior outside linebacker Tony Smith is No. 5 with 85 tackles. Junior outside linebacker Steve Wild is close behind with 69 tackles and sophomore inside linebacker Gerald Nickelberry is tied for No. 19 with 68 tackles.

“Liberty does a nice job throwing the football,” said Sadler. “We will certainly have our hands full with defending the passing game. However, if we go and execute defensively, we will be able to squelch them.

“Our defense is much improved from a year ago and that experience has obviously shown. We have guys out there who understand their position and understand our scheme. I think the credit obviously has to go to the players.”

However, the defense will have to work without Scott Carlson, Mike Jordan and Matt LeVoir because all will be out with injuries.