DeKALB | What's the solution of 18 x 35? The human mind is a number crunching machine — even if you're not in the middle of solving a math problem. Don't believe it? Just examine a quarterback. When going for a pass, the quarterback has to grab the...

Quarterback B+ NIU head coach Joe Novak has a dilemma: one starting spot for two capable quarterbacks. So far this season, experience has prevailed over young talent, and senior Phil Horvath has been named the starter over sophomore Dan Nicholson. But...

DeKALB | Sophomore defensive end Craig Rusch was named Third-Team Freshman All-America by CollegeFootballNews.com last fall, but hasn't seen the field in 2006. On Aug. 28 Rusch was stepped on in practice. The wound he received on his right leg eventually...

DeKALB | Side by side, 125 pounds and a one-foot height difference characterizes the physical variation between offensive tackle Doug Free and running back Garrett Wolfe. Free easily wins the big man contest between the two — but both are big men on...

Despite already having a solid roster, the NIU baseball coaching staff managed to make a few improvements by signing seven players for the 2007 campaign. Though there weren't many openings available, NIU coach Ed Mathey said they were able to fill some...

DeKALB | It's a little tiring to read the same old story about NIU football. Yes, we know Joe Novak's office is the size of a broom closet. We've all heard the press box is cramped and tight, but an outsider reading about NIU in the national media would...

Western Division Ball State Cardinals 2005 record: 4-7 Conf. record: 4-4 It is year four for coach Brady Hoke and a roster full of players he recruited awaits. BSU knocked off Eastern Michigan to start the season, and will be led by senior quarterback...

COLUMBUS, Ohio | For the first time in his career, NIU running back Garrett Wolfe recorded more than 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game Saturday against the Buckeyes. Wolfe, who now has rushed for 100-plus yards 15 times in his...

COLUMBUS, Ohio | It's hard to be positive about giving up 21 points in 12 minutes, even if it is to the No. 1 team in the nation. Ohio State — er, excuse me, The Ohio State — shredded through NIU's pathetic-looking defense as if it were tinfoil, and...

COLUMBUS, Ohio | Despite a predicted loss coming to fruition for NIU Saturday at Ohio State, NIU running back Garrett Wolfe left his mark. Wolfe darted through the OSU defense for 171 yards on 26 carries while catching five passes for 114 yards and a...

Call it coincidence or fate, former NIU wide receiver P.J. Fleck was recently named an offensive graduate assistant for Ohio State. "Tracy — Fleck's wife — and I had to make a huge decision," Fleck said. "I didn't know what the future would hold for...

DeKalb: 39,000 people; the world: six billion. Those are just populations, but those numbers might as well represent the odds that have been placed over the head of the Huskies to win this Saturday at Ohio State. But from talking to the players, you would...