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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization 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

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Drew Hare hands off the ball on Sept. 6 in the game against Northwestern University.

Hare remains starting QB

By Northern Star Staff | October 7, 2014

Redshirt sophomore Drew Hare appears to be football’s starting quarterback for the rest of the season, but he won’t be alone under center.Head coach Rod Carey said his intentions are for Hare to be the Huskies’ starting quarterback for the rest...

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Maddie (1) rushes for a 20-yard gain against Kent State Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Maddie led NIU’s only two touchdown drives and reopened the debate over who should be NIU’s quarterback.

Quarterback job still up in air

By Ryan Simpson | October 5, 2014

Redshirt sophomore Drew Hare started at quarterback for football Saturday, but the game eventually turned into the Anthony Maddie show.The Huskies (4-1, 1-0 MAC) beat the Kent State Golden Flashes (0-5, 0-2 MAC), 17-14, at Huskie Stadium. The win extended...

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Drew Hare (12) scans the field before delivering a pass during the teams September game against the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville, Ark. The Huskies have a bye week after the 52-14 loss to the Razorbacks, and the players and coaches aren’t getting too far away from the game of football.

Rapid Reaction: NIU 17, Kent State 14

By Frank Gogola | October 4, 2014

What happened: The Huskies (4-1, 1-0) opened MAC play with a 17-14 win over the Kent State Golden Flashes (0-5, 0-2 MAC) Saturday at Huskie Stadium.How it happened: Redshirt Anthony Maddie led two of the Huskies’ three scoring drives, and NIU escaped...

Late heroics cement win for football

By Frank Gogola | September 14, 2014

Following a third quarter and early fourth quarter to forget, football (3-0) bookended a timely interception with two fourth-quarter scoring drives to escape Las Vegas with a 48-34 win over the Nevada-Las Vegas Rebels (1-2).The Rebels knotted the game,...

NIU players Boomer Mays (45) and Corey Thomas (69) are congratulated after NIUs victory over Northwestern University on Saturday.

Taking Down the Big Ten: NIU knocks out Northwestern, 23-14

By Ryan Barnard | September 7, 2014

Football (2-0) discovered its offense in the second half against the Northwestern Wildcats (0-2) during Saturday’s 23-15 win at Ryan Field in Evanston; however, questions remain about who will be NIU’s leader under center for the remainder of the...

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Maddie rushes the ball against Presbyterian Thursday at Huskie Stadium. Maddie, redshirt junior Matt McIntosh and redshirt sophomore Drew Hare all took snaps in the 55-3 victory.

Rapid Reaction: NIU 23, Northwestern 15

By Frank Gogola | September 6, 2014

What happened: The Huskies (2-0) defeated the Northwestern Wildcats (0-2), 23-15, Saturday at Ryan Field in Evanston.How it happened: Redshirt sophomore quarterback Drew Hare led four second-half scoring drives, propelling the NIU offense, which was held...

Quarterback Matt McIntosh (9) plays during Thursday’s game against Presbyterian, which NIU won 55-3. Head coach Rod Carey named McIntosh the Huskies’ starting quarterback Tuesday after months of McIntosh vying for the spot with Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie.

McIntosh named starting quarterback after months of wait

By Frank Gogola | September 3, 2014

Redshirt junior quarterback Matt McIntosh was less concerned with calling people to share the news of him being named NIU’s starting quarterback Tuesday and more concerned with perfecting his play calling on the field.McIntosh learned from head coach...

Redshirt junior quarterback Matt McIntosh throws prior to the Huskie Bowl April 19 at Huskie Stadium. Head coach Rod Carey named McIntosh that starting quarterback at Tuesdays press conference.

Matt McIntosh named Huskies’ starting quarterback

By Frank Gogola | September 2, 2014

Football head coach Rod Carey officially named redshirt junior Matt McIntosh as the Huskies’ starting quarterback Tuesday.McIntosh had been in competition with redshirt sophomores Drew Hare and Anthony Maddie since spring camp as the Huskies were searching...

Running game powers football

By Frank Gogola | September 1, 2014

Football’s ground game made mincemeat of Presbyterian’s defense, gashing the Blue Hose left and right Thursday at Huskie Stadium.The Huskies racked up 635 total yards of offense, including 424 rushing yards on 77 carries. The 635 yards is the most...

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Anthony Maddie rushes the ball against Presbyterian Thursday at Huskie Stadium. Maddie, redshirt junior Matt McIntosh and redshirt sophomore Drew Hare all took snaps in the 55-3 victory.

Football hoses Presbyterian

By Frank Gogola | September 1, 2014

Football’s season opener went exactly as it was expected to go: The Huskies (1-0) dismantled the Presbyterian Blue Hose (0-1), of the Football Championship Subdivision, in a 55-3 romp Thursday at Huskie Stadium.“I’ll put it as simple as I can: We...

Junior running back Cameron Stingily (42) stiff arms the Toledo defense during Wednesday night’s game.  NIU won, 35-17, taking the MAC West title. It will head to the MAC Championship game for the fourth season in a row.

Breaking Down the Huskies

By Frank Gogola | August 26, 2014

Quarterback: Without a doubt, the difference maker for the Huskies is senior Jordan Lynch. As he goes, the Huskies offense goes.

Lynch produced one of the most historic seasons in college football history last season, becoming the only quarterback to run for more than 1,500 yards as well as throw the ball for more than 3,000 yards. Going into this season, Lynch looks to continue that success starting with Iowa. In the season opener against Iowa last year, it was Lynch’s first collegiate start and was seemingly one-dimensional, relying heavily on the running game. Lynch is a different quarterback than he was then so expect him to exploit the Iowa defense throw the air as well as on the ground for big plays.

Running back: Senior Akeem Daniels has had trouble staying on the field due to nagging injuries. Cue junior Cameron Stingily as he is expected to get the start and carry the workload for the Huskies. Stingily came into NIU as a middle linebacker but last season he was converted to running back. Stingily does not have a lot of experience under as belt as last season he made one carry for 5 yards. But he will be a strong addition to the run game as a power back, something the Huskies have lacked the last few of seasons. You can expect Stingily to pound the ball right up the middle and fight for every extra yard.

Wide receiver: Junior TommyLee Lewis comes in this season as the most experienced wide receiver on the team. He will need to step up to fill the void left by former receivers Martel Moore and Perez Ashford. With Lewis generally playing in the slot, he creates mismatches for defenses with his speed and is able to create a number of big play opportunities. He can make big plays by stretching the defense or catching short passes and running for big gains after the catch. Last season, Lewis made 48 receptions for 539 yards and five touchdowns.

Offensive line: Protecting the quarterback’s blind side may be the most important job for the offensive line. That’s why junior left tackle Tyler Loos will be such a factor against Iowa as well as the rest of the season. Last season, Loos and the offensive line did a great job of protecting Lynch’s blind side and they only gave up eight sacks all season. Loos and the line not only kept Lynch off the ground but they opened up numerous, gaping holes for Lynch and others to run through for big gains. If Loos and the rest of the line are able to contain Iowa’s bigger defensive line, the Huskies’ offense should thrive in Iowa City.

Defensive line: Last season in the Huskies’ matchup against the Hawkeyes, the Huskies recorded six sacks. Senior Joe Windsor led the Huskies that game with his two big sacks for a loss of 19 yards in limited action. In a backup role all season, Windsor made a case that he could even be a starting defensive end as he was third on the team with seven sacks. With Windsor’s speed around the edge he is a constant threat, and he should put a lot of pressure on Iowa’s new starting quarterback, Jake Rudock. Now that Windsor will start, expect to hear his name called a lot.

Linebacker: Junior Jamaal Bass is someone who just has a nose for the football. You can expect him to be around the ball at all times making big tackles left and right. Last season, Bass was third on the team with 83 tackles, 45 of them solo. He was behind senior defensive back Jimmie Ward and former linebacker Tyrone Clark. With the departure of Clark and his 86 tackles from last season, Bass becomes the leader of the line backing core. Bass doesn’t come in as the biggest guy on the field, standing at 5’10”, 225 pounds, but he makes up for it with his speed and ability to cover the field.

Defensive Back: The leader of the defensive backs and defense falls on senior Jimmie Ward.

Last season, Ward did it all for the Huskies. He led the team in tackles by recording 104 and 65 of them solo. His mentality for each game is to record at least 10 tackles a game and he prides himself on making big stops. He was also a ball hawk in coverage for the Huskies, leading the team with three interceptions and was second with 11 pass breakups. You can expect Ward to continue flying around the field this season recording tackle after tackle.

Special teams: Coach Rod Carey has said the keys to victory against Iowa are to have good ball control and a strong kicking game.

Although not really needed for anything more than extra points last season, senior kicker Mathew Sims has been more than reliable. Last season he went 15-19 on field goals. He’s also proven his clutch factor as he made one of the biggest kicks in NIU history, a 40-yard field goal against Kent State in the MAC Championship to tie the game and send it into double overtime. Sims has also proven he can be good from beyond 50 or more yards as he hit a 54 yard field goal against Western Michigan last season.

Quarterback Jordan Lynch (6) outflanks the Toledo defense and runs the ball downfield during Wednesday nights game. NIU won, 35-17.

Football remains without starting QB

By Frank Gogola | August 25, 2014

Football head coach Rod Carey isn’t committing himself to one quarterback — yet.The Huskies have been attempting to find former quarterback Jordan Lynch’s successor since the start of spring camp; however, no quarterback — of junior Matt McIntosh...