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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Pittsburg, Miami primed for big week

By Chris Dertz | October 14, 2010

Everyone who enjoys making predictions or projections has absolutely hated this NFL season. And anyone who says that they knew the season would shake down like this is either crazy or the luckiest person since that girl from that Britney Spears song....

NIU volleyball is turning heads in the MAC with a 19-2 start to the season. The Huskies were predicted to finish third in the MAC West in preseason rankings.

Forget the predictions, NIU rolling

By Katie Leb | October 14, 2010

The terms "war, battle, dogfight, fighting and clawing" conjure up images of destruction and possible death, not college volleyball. For several coaches in the MAC, however, these are the adjectives of choice for what each conference game will be this...

Roy Halladay is reason enough to turn on the MLB Playoffs

The Rant: Time to tune into America’s real pastime

By Jerry Burnes | October 14, 2010

I'll take a 1-0 start for the Bears, but in reality, they lost that game. Rules are rules, I know, but Calvin Johnson caught that final pass, and highlighted the minor intricacies - and problems- with football's terrible rules. "Megatron" had every aspect...

This Oct. 3, 2010, file photo shows San Diego Chargers'  Shawne Merriman on the sidelines before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in San Diego. Merriman's career with the Chargers is over. Once one of the most-feared players in the NFL, Merriman has been dogged by injuries the last three seasons.  (AP Photo)

The Rant: Shawne Merriman on his way out

By Chris Dertz | October 13, 2010

Merriman's dance show canceled in San Diego Lights out, Shawne Merriman. The San Diego Chargers have announced that when the former All-World linebacker gets healthy, he'll be on his way out. NIU fans should be rejoicing, because this means that Larry...

Drawing the foul with a flop

By Andrew Singer | October 12, 2010

DeKALB | Flopping, diving, tripping on air. No matter what a coach calls it, intentionally falling in order to draw a foul from the official is a part of soccer and has been for years. Soccer games across the board are often decided by a solitary goal;...

The Rant: reflect on Bobby Cox’s career

By Chris Dertz | October 12, 2010

DeKALB | I want everyone out there to stop what they're doing and take a moment to reflect on what Bobby Cox meant to baseball, and what the game is losing with him walking away. My brother is an Atlanta Braves fan, so I always had a lot of exposure to...

Todd Collins might want a few Tom Collins after that performance

By Korey Peterson | October 12, 2010

I will try my hardest to not bash you every week, Lovie Smith.

But why do you have to make it so easy? While the Bears won the game, no one should be proud of a victory over the hapless Panthers that had as many errors as the Bears did.

In post game interviews, Smith said the man he designated to start in place of the injured Jay Cutler, Todd Collins, was "in control early on." Lovie was right about that. I have never seen such artistic form and grace in his handoffs and pitches to Matt Forte.

Caleb Hanie should have started against Carolina. Collins ended up with four interceptions in just 16 pass attempts and a 6.2 passer rating. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz wanted a veteran quarterback to back up Cutler, but it would help if that veteran had the ability to play in the system that emphasizes timing and accuracy such as his.

And with an offensive line as atrocious as the Bears, the quarterback will have to be mobile. At least Hanie can run for his life faster than Collins could have.

 

 

Midseason grades: NIU makes the honor roll

By Chris Dertz, Jimmy Johnson, and Jerry Burnes | October 11, 2010

By Chris Dertz Offense: The unit that everyone questioned before the season started - the offensive line - hasn't had any problems getting its act together. Combine that with the fact that skill players like Chandler Harnish and Chad Spann are playing...

Games to watch

By Mike Buda | October 10, 2010

There are way too many games to filter through to find out which ones could be the great ones. Northern Star sports writer Mike Buda has the games and the reasons why you should watch every day this week. Today: Minnesota Vikings at New York Jets - 7:30...

NIU football team looks poised to take MAC

By Chris Dertz | October 10, 2010

Sometimes the preseason predictions do get it right. What took place inside Huskie Stadium on Saturday afternoon was nothing short of a identity-defining win for head coach Jerry Kill's program. NIU and Temple were touted as the two best teams in the...

Both NIU teams deserve your time this weekend

By Chris Dertz | October 7, 2010

Saturday is a big day for NIU athletics, for more reasons than may be readily apparent. Chances are that most people are aware of the implications that the football team's game against Temple will have on the look of the MAC this season. I shouldn't have...

Minnesota Vikings new wide receiver Randy Moss makes a catch during NFL football practice, Thursday in Eden Prairie, Minn. Moss was traded Wednesday to the Vikings by the New England Patriots.

Moss shakes up NFC North

By Chris Dertz | October 7, 2010

So Randy Moss is a Viking again, and nobody outside the state of Minnesota should be happy about that.Fact is that the biggest reason the Vikings’ offense has been sputtering, other than Brett Favre’s “distractions,” is the absence of deep-threat...