Redshirt freshman Ryan Graham took over as quarterback for the Huskies earlier this year after a season-ending injury to junior Drew Hare, and has gone 2-0 in his first two starts.Graham went 9-12 for 132 yards and scored a touchdown in two quarters in...
Football (8-3, 6-1 MAC) came out on top in a tough bout against Western Michigan (6-5, 5-2 MAC) for the top spot in the MAC West.The Broncos took an early lead in the game after kicking a field goal and going down the field on 10 plays for 63 yards on...
Volleyball (18-10, 14-2 MAC) defeated Western Michigan and Bowling Green to end the season, sweeping both teams en route to winning the MAC regular season championship.Western MichiganThe Huskies started the game with a 5-0 run, a lead they held for the...
Football (7-3, 5-1 MAC) will play its third consecutive weekday game as it goes head-to-head with conference rival Western Michigan on Wednesday.The Huskies are on a five-game winning streak and average 45.2 points per-game, outscoring opponents by 19...
Football (7-3, 5-1 MAC) fought off a late-game comeback from Buffalo (5-5, 3-3 MAC) to win its fifth consecutive game and move into third place in the MAC West.BU scored its only points of the first half early in the first quarter on a field goal. The...
Volleyball (16-10, 12-2 MAC) will take on Western Michigan and Bowling Green this weekend in its last two games of the regular season.The Huskies have upped their winning streak to five games, winning 14 of its last 16 as the MAC Tournament approaches....
Quarterback: The Broncos' passing offense ranks first in the MAC with 290 yards per game and 15th overall in the nation. Quarterback Alex Carder has played like a passing wizard, throwing for close to 2,000 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. NIU head coach Jerry Kill is familiar with Carder, having Kansas ties and was even interested in recruiting him. "He can run a little bit, can throw it and is very well coached with some good mechanics," Kill said.
Grade: B
Running back: Western Michigan running back Aaron Winchester doesn't get a lot of love in the backfield. Since Western Michigan is so pass-heavy, they don't rely on the ground game but that isn't going to stop Kill from his game plan to silence their run game. "They always have two or three receivers who will make your life difficult," Kill said. "And about time you think that's all they're going to do, they run for 150."
Grade: C-
Wide Receivers: Huskies' starting corners Patrick George and Chris Smith better be on their game Saturday afternoon. The Broncos' receiving core is headlined by All-MAC preseason pick Jordan White. The senior leads Western Michigan in receiving yards with 758 and is tied with fellow upperclassman Juan Nunez with five scores through the air.
Grade: B +
Offensive line: Left tackle Anthony Parker is the anchor of the Broncos' offensive line. The junior made the All-MAC preseason team and is a listed at 6'4" and 332 pounds. The interior of Western Michigan's line consist of all seniors in guards Phillip Swanson, Nick Clemens and center Nick Mitchell.
Defense
Defensive line: Defensive end Paul Hazel leads the Broncos with 5.5 sacks while ranking fifth on the team in tackles. Hazel resides from Florida, an area that Kill said that Western Michigan has plucked players from. "Defensively, they've gone to Florida, Georgia and recruited a ton of people," Kill said. "They are athletic as all get out on defense."
Grade: C+
Linebackers: Besides Hazel, outside linebacker Dex Jones is the Broncos' second best pass rusher ranking second on the team with four sacks. Containing this pass rushing combination will be critical for NIU to establish themselves on offense. Inside linebacker Mitch Zajac has played strictly like a tackling machine by not recording any other defensive statistic.
Grade: C
Secondary: Jamail Berry plays the "rover" position, which requires him to play both in the secondary and linebacker level. Berry leads Western Michigan with 47 total tackles. Cornerback Lewis Tolers leads the Broncos with three interceptions . Western Michigan ranks fourth in the MAC in pass defense allowing close to 200 yards per game.
Grade: C+
Special Teams: Huskies' punt block guru Jimmie Ward will have an opportunity to block one of the MAC's best punters in Ben Armer. The junior is averaging 41.5 yards a boot. Kicker John Potter has connected on six of seven field goal attempts while hitting all 29 of his point after attempts.
Football (6-3, 4-1 MAC) will look to continue its road streak when it goes up against Buffalo (5-4, 3-2 MAC) in another weekday game Wednesday.The Huskies have a new starting quarterback in redshirt freshman Ryan Graham after losing Drew Hare for the...
Volleyball (16-10, 12-2 MAC) took on Toledo and Ball State over the weekend and defeated both teams 3-0, pushing its win streak to five games.ToledoThe Huskies led the first set 15-8 early on. NIU’s defense had really progressed. Toledo struggled to...
It’s probably time for women’s soccer (3-12-3, 2-6-3 MAC) to change its focus from just defense and add some offense.NIU finished the 2015 season with an unexpected turnaround, finishing its last four games with three ties and one win, but struggled...
Men’s soccer (7-6-1, 1-2-1 MAC) will battle against West Virginia (6-11, 1-3 MAC) in its regular season finale Friday.The Huskies lost their last game 1-0 to Western Michigan on Saturday. The Mountaineers played Tuesday in a double overtime loss to...
Men’s soccer (7-6-1, 1-2-1 MAC) fell 1-0 to Western Michigan (9-3-4, 2-1-1 MAC) Saturday night, giving the Huskies one more opportunity to clinch a spot in the MAC Tournament semifinal.A slower paced game was expected against WMU’s tough defense....
