Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Chad Spann had a career night, rushing for 223 yards.

Spann has career game at Minnesota

By Chris Dertz | September 26, 2010

MINNEAPOLIS | There is an identity to Big Ten football that calls for smash mouth running and solid defense. NIU's running backs were completely ineffective last week against Illinois, but had a sensational bounce-back game Saturday night in a 34-23 win...

NIU head coach Jerry Kill has not announced who will start at quarterback tonight: Chandler Harnish (pictured) or DeMarcus Grady.

A storm is brewing: NIU set to open season against Cyclones

By Jerry Burnes | September 1, 2010

When the lights click on tonight at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa, the NIU football team will shed the practice shells and don full uniforms for the first time in 2010. Unlike the NFL, there have been no preseason games for NIU head coach Jerry Kill...

Landon Cox leads a young receiving group for the Huskies to look toward this year.

NIU offensive breakdown

By Chris Dertz | August 29, 2010

QB

Phil Horvath is gone and so are the quarterback controversies of last year, as this is clearly Dan Nicholson's team.

The junior from Brother Rice high school has two years experience under his belt, including a 2005 season in which he took over for an injured Horvath and led the team to three straight victories.

Last year, Nicholson played in seven games and threw for 658 yards and five touchdowns but with six interceptions.

Grade: B-

He has experience but this is the year he needs to show what he's made of.

RB

The running back position has always been a point of pride at NIU.Every few years, one star leaves and another emerges.

This year, Coach Novak will take a running back-by-committee approach to start off the season to see who can replace Garrett Wolfe.

Junior Montell Clanton has been named the starter for the opener against Iowa but

Justin Anderson will see significant time and true freshman Chad Spann figures to see some action.

Clanton is coming off an season-ending injury last year and will have to prove he can stay healthy. Anderson has the strength and speed but like the rest of the backs, but is unproven, having only 25 carries last season. Spann turned heads in camp but is probably a year or two away.

Grade: C-

The potential is there, it just needs to be displayed. Under Wolfe, the Huskies lost four fumbles, the second lowest total in D 1-A. This group also needs to prove they can hang onto the ball.

OL

Doug Free is gone and the offensive line is a huge concern heading into this season.

However, three starters from last year return in center Eddie Adamski, right guard Jason Onyebuagu, and the lone senior of the unit, left tackle Chris Acevedo. Junior Jon Brost is expected to start at right tackle and has the most career starts of the group.

Tim Mayerbock is expected to get the start at left guard. The redshirt sophomore played in the last 10 games of 2006 but is the most inexperienced of the group.

Grade: C-

Very talented group but young. The lack of experience may contribute to them getting worn out too soon, setting up for quite an interesting fourth quarter.

WR

This looks to be a strong point for NIU this season. Junior's Britt Davis and Marcus Perez both started and were the leading receivers from a year ago.

Everyone is still waiting for Davis to break-out and reach his full potential. Junior Matt Simon played in all 13 games last year and was the third-leading receiver.

Junior Greg Turner has impressed former Huskie and current wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck as more of a possession-type of receiver. Also, Freshman Landon Cox will also look to make an immediate impact.

Grade: B-

Talented and fast. Younger guys need to step up and help out Davis, Perez and Simon to solidify the corps.

Spann running for Doak Walker award

Spann running for Doak Walker award

By Northern Star Staff | August 26, 2010

DeKALB | NIU senior running back Chad Spann has been named as a candidate for the 2010 Doak Walker Award, given to the nation’s top college running back. Spann is one of 49 backs nationwide named as a candidate by the PricewaterhouseCoopers SMU Atheltic...

Chad Spann will lead the NIU running backs into the 2010 season. Spann rushed for 1,038 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2009.

Running backs power NIU football

By Chris Dertz | August 23, 2010

DeKALB | There are few universal truths in this world. Taking a shower every day is probably a good idea. There will always be that one girl at the party crying. Jerry Kill likes to run the football. It's that hard-nosed approach that led to NIU's rushing...