3yardsandacloud
Administrator Emeritus
2006 Northern Illinois Huskies - Additional Information
Coaching Staff
Head Coach:
Official School Bio - Joe Novak
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Sam Pittman - Asst. Head Coach/Offensive Interior Line
John Bond - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Denny Doornbos - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Greg Bower - Tight Ends/Media Coordinator
Thomas Hammock - Running Backs
Jeff Phelps - Defensive Interior Line
Mike Sabock - Defensive Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
John Hauser - Defensive Backs
Factoid: Northern Illinois' defensive backs coach, John Hauser, is the brother of Ohio State first-year graduate assistant Chris Hauser; both graduated from Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus, Chris in 1997, and John in 1998. The brothers have faced off once before, in Ocotber of 2004, when Chris was at Akron University - that day, John got ther best of his older brother, as the Huskies beat down the Zips, 49-19. Chris can certainly expect to get a measure of revenge on Saturday.
Official School Bio - Joe Novak
Assistant Coaches:
Official School Bios - Assistant Coaches
Sam Pittman - Asst. Head Coach/Offensive Interior Line
John Bond - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Denny Doornbos - Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
Greg Bower - Tight Ends/Media Coordinator
Thomas Hammock - Running Backs
Jeff Phelps - Defensive Interior Line
Mike Sabock - Defensive Ends/Recruiting Coordinator
John Hauser - Defensive Backs
Factoid: Northern Illinois' defensive backs coach, John Hauser, is the brother of Ohio State first-year graduate assistant Chris Hauser; both graduated from Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus, Chris in 1997, and John in 1998. The brothers have faced off once before, in Ocotber of 2004, when Chris was at Akron University - that day, John got ther best of his older brother, as the Huskies beat down the Zips, 49-19. Chris can certainly expect to get a measure of revenge on Saturday.
Recruiting
Starters Returning: 15 (Offense 6, Defense 7, Special Teams 2)
Letterman Returning: 42 (Offense 17, Defense 23, Special Teams 2)
Notable Returners:
RB Garrett Wolfe ... who else do they need? QB Phil Horvath, OL Doug Free
Starters Lost: 10 (Offense 5, Defense 4, Special Teams 1)
Letterman Lost: 18 (Offense 10, Defense 7, Special Teams 1)
Notable Losses:
C Brian Van Acker, OL Ben Lueck, DL Quince Holman, DB Ray Smith
Incoming Recruits:
Obviously, Nothern Illinois is not on the same level as Ohio State when it comes to recruiting. For the most part, the Huskies rely on unheralded players who were overlooked or rejected by Big Ten schools, and for that reason their recruiting classes are not highly regarded by the national scouting services like Rivals and Scout. However, despite the inherent talent disadvantage, the MAC schools have done a respectable job against "major college" programs, and have produced a number of outstanding NFL players.
Of the current NIU stars, Garrett Wolfe was an undersized, two-star recruit from Chicago who generated little interest from the regional powers, and eventually signed with the Huskies. Ditto for Doug Free, who was a skinny 265-pound lineman from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Now that Wolfe is receiving serious Heisman Trophy recognition and Free is a on the watch lists for both Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy, it is apparent in retrospect that the Big Ten schools "missed" on those players. There are undoubtedly some unknown prospects in Northern Illinois' 2006 recruiting class who will eventually evolve into top-flight college football players as well.
As a high school senior, quarterback Billy Lowe was named a first-team all-state selection in Florida, and the MVP of the annual Cali-Florida Bowl; in addition, he led the Lakeland Dreadnoughts to a state title (Class 5A) and national championship (according to USA Today). At 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, tailback Ricky Crider is a virtual clone of All-American candidate Garrett Wolfe. In high school, Crider rushed for 1,956 yards and 22 TD's as a junior, and easily topped those numbers in his senior campaign by racking up 2,478 yards rushing and 33 TD's; for his career, Ricky rushed for 6,356 yards, which is ninth-best in the state of Indiana. At 6' 2", 198 pounds, Marcus Lewis has excellent size for a wide receiver; during his last two seasons of high school football, Lewis made 89 receptions for 1,576 yards and 17 TD's, and he was named second-team all-state (Chicago Tribune) after his senior year. Offensive lineman Jason Onyebuagu was a first team all-state selection at Indianapolis Warren Central, one of the state of Indiana's most successful high school programs, and a school which consistently produces D-1 talent. The multi-talented Alex Kube played seven positions in high school (FS, SS, RB, WR, PR, KR, and PK), and was a consensus all-state selection in Illinois. Defensive back Mike Sobol earned all-state honors (Missouri) in football (Class 3A), wrestling (189-pound class), and track (300-meter hurdles). John Tranchitella was a consensus all-state selection (Illinois), and the captain of his state-championship (Class 4A) team.
In 2006, Northern Illinois' 17-man recruiting class ranked 110th overall by Rivals, and 104th by Scout. By way of contrast, Ohio State's 20-man class ranked 12th by Rivals and 13th by Scout, which was considered somewhat of a down year by Buckeye fans.
Factoid: Freshman Vernon Sims' father (also Vernon, a defensive end) and uncle (Reggie Sims, a tight end) both played football for NIU in the mid-1980's.
Letterman Returning: 42 (Offense 17, Defense 23, Special Teams 2)
Notable Returners:
RB Garrett Wolfe ... who else do they need? QB Phil Horvath, OL Doug Free
Starters Lost: 10 (Offense 5, Defense 4, Special Teams 1)
Letterman Lost: 18 (Offense 10, Defense 7, Special Teams 1)
Notable Losses:
C Brian Van Acker, OL Ben Lueck, DL Quince Holman, DB Ray Smith
Incoming Recruits:
Obviously, Nothern Illinois is not on the same level as Ohio State when it comes to recruiting. For the most part, the Huskies rely on unheralded players who were overlooked or rejected by Big Ten schools, and for that reason their recruiting classes are not highly regarded by the national scouting services like Rivals and Scout. However, despite the inherent talent disadvantage, the MAC schools have done a respectable job against "major college" programs, and have produced a number of outstanding NFL players.
Of the current NIU stars, Garrett Wolfe was an undersized, two-star recruit from Chicago who generated little interest from the regional powers, and eventually signed with the Huskies. Ditto for Doug Free, who was a skinny 265-pound lineman from Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Now that Wolfe is receiving serious Heisman Trophy recognition and Free is a on the watch lists for both Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy, it is apparent in retrospect that the Big Ten schools "missed" on those players. There are undoubtedly some unknown prospects in Northern Illinois' 2006 recruiting class who will eventually evolve into top-flight college football players as well.
As a high school senior, quarterback Billy Lowe was named a first-team all-state selection in Florida, and the MVP of the annual Cali-Florida Bowl; in addition, he led the Lakeland Dreadnoughts to a state title (Class 5A) and national championship (according to USA Today). At 5-foot-9, 185 pounds, tailback Ricky Crider is a virtual clone of All-American candidate Garrett Wolfe. In high school, Crider rushed for 1,956 yards and 22 TD's as a junior, and easily topped those numbers in his senior campaign by racking up 2,478 yards rushing and 33 TD's; for his career, Ricky rushed for 6,356 yards, which is ninth-best in the state of Indiana. At 6' 2", 198 pounds, Marcus Lewis has excellent size for a wide receiver; during his last two seasons of high school football, Lewis made 89 receptions for 1,576 yards and 17 TD's, and he was named second-team all-state (Chicago Tribune) after his senior year. Offensive lineman Jason Onyebuagu was a first team all-state selection at Indianapolis Warren Central, one of the state of Indiana's most successful high school programs, and a school which consistently produces D-1 talent. The multi-talented Alex Kube played seven positions in high school (FS, SS, RB, WR, PR, KR, and PK), and was a consensus all-state selection in Illinois. Defensive back Mike Sobol earned all-state honors (Missouri) in football (Class 3A), wrestling (189-pound class), and track (300-meter hurdles). John Tranchitella was a consensus all-state selection (Illinois), and the captain of his state-championship (Class 4A) team.
TE Bryan Beckner, 6-4 235 Kankakee (Illinois) Bishop McNamara (6' 4", 235 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
WR Tyler Clasey, Champaign (Illinois) Centennial (6' 1", 187 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
DT Kris Cooke, Homewood (Illinois) Homewood-Flossmoor (6' 1", 304 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
TB Ricky Crider, Evansvillle (Indiana) Reitz (5' 9", 185 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
DE Ed Jackson, Cahokia, Illinois (6' 4", 230 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
CB James Jefferies, Chicago Mount Carmel (5' 9", 165 lbs, 4.63 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
OL Mike Krause, Germantown, Wisconsin (6' 3", 270 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
DB Alex Kube, Cary (Illinois) Cary Grove (6' 0", 190 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
LB Mike Lepper, Oak Lawn (Illinois) Richards (6' 1", 210 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
WR Marcus Lewis, Gurnee (Illinois) Warren Township (6' 2", 198 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
QB Billy Lowe, Lakeland (Florida) Lakeland (6' 3", 214 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
OL Jason Onyebuagu, Indianapolis Warren Central (6' 1", 305 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
TE Vernon Sims, Rockford (Illinois) Boylan (6' 5", 252 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
DB Mike Sobol, Pevely (Missouri) Herculaneum (5' 11", 183 lbs; 4.59 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
DB Justin Stewart, O’Fallon (Illinois) Township (6' 0", 182 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
OL Panan Tense, Oak Park (Illinois) Fenwick (6' 4", 324 lbs); Rivals 3* (#26 in Illinois); Scout 2*
LB John Tranchitella, Addision (Illinois) Driscoll (6' 2", 200 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
WR Tyler Clasey, Champaign (Illinois) Centennial (6' 1", 187 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
DT Kris Cooke, Homewood (Illinois) Homewood-Flossmoor (6' 1", 304 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
TB Ricky Crider, Evansvillle (Indiana) Reitz (5' 9", 185 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
DE Ed Jackson, Cahokia, Illinois (6' 4", 230 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
CB James Jefferies, Chicago Mount Carmel (5' 9", 165 lbs, 4.63 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
OL Mike Krause, Germantown, Wisconsin (6' 3", 270 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
DB Alex Kube, Cary (Illinois) Cary Grove (6' 0", 190 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
LB Mike Lepper, Oak Lawn (Illinois) Richards (6' 1", 210 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
WR Marcus Lewis, Gurnee (Illinois) Warren Township (6' 2", 198 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
QB Billy Lowe, Lakeland (Florida) Lakeland (6' 3", 214 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
OL Jason Onyebuagu, Indianapolis Warren Central (6' 1", 305 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
TE Vernon Sims, Rockford (Illinois) Boylan (6' 5", 252 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
DB Mike Sobol, Pevely (Missouri) Herculaneum (5' 11", 183 lbs; 4.59 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
DB Justin Stewart, O’Fallon (Illinois) Township (6' 0", 182 lbs, 4.7 forty); Rivals 2*; Scout 1*
OL Panan Tense, Oak Park (Illinois) Fenwick (6' 4", 324 lbs); Rivals 3* (#26 in Illinois); Scout 2*
LB John Tranchitella, Addision (Illinois) Driscoll (6' 2", 200 lbs); Rivals 2*; Scout 2*
In 2006, Northern Illinois' 17-man recruiting class ranked 110th overall by Rivals, and 104th by Scout. By way of contrast, Ohio State's 20-man class ranked 12th by Rivals and 13th by Scout, which was considered somewhat of a down year by Buckeye fans.
Factoid: Freshman Vernon Sims' father (also Vernon, a defensive end) and uncle (Reggie Sims, a tight end) both played football for NIU in the mid-1980's.
Traditions
It looks as if <ST1>Northern Illinois</ST1> is light on tradition but heavy on spirit (as evidenced by G-Force’s posts!). In our conversations with a few Huskie fans, one remarked that we have “exposed that we [NIU fans] need to build some traditions.” Although some of these traditions may not necessarily be unique to NIU, their fans did offer a list of gameday rituals in DeKalb:<O>
</O>
</O>
- Fans parked in more remote lots can hitch a ride to the stadium in a miniature steam engine train with a few cars in tow, which is provided by the NIU Engineering Department.<O></O>
- The Huskie fans hold a Corn Boil before the first home game of the season.<O></O>
- One site Huskie fans can count on at the tailgating festivities is the Huskie Mobile. A few years ago, Justin (HuskieMobileMan on BP), a Huskie alum, renovated a beat-up van and converted it into the ultimate red-and-black partymobile, complete with a large deck on the top, barbeque, red neon lights under the van, Astroturf carpeting, and outdoor speakers. Check out Justin’s website at http://www.huskiemobile.com/.<O></O>
- The opening home game includes several skydivers entering Huskie Stadium from planes flying overhead and carrying banners and fireworks. According to one fan, they almost always hit the mark at midfield. The fans anxiously wait as the planes circle overhead and the skydivers swoop down in various costumes from different directions before kickoff.<O></O>
- For pre-game warm-ups, the team is led into stadium by a team of several real and quite handsome Huskie dogs on leashes running through the band.<O></O>
- They shake their keys during a kickoff, and the majority of the student section (the east side) stands for the entire game. <O></O>
- After every first down, the P.A. announcer says, “And that’s a Huskie . . .” and the crowd yells “first down!” while in unison the student section points their Thunderstix in the direction of the drive. (Thunderstix have been very popular for several years at NIU and can generate ALOT of noise for long periods.)<O></O>
- Like our “O-H” tradition, the NIU fans one one side of the stadium yell “RED” and the other side answers with “BLACK.”<O></O>
- The ROTC/National Guard provides a canon inside the stadium which is fired after a touchdown.<O></O>
- Also after a touchdown, the NIU cheerleaders run the real Huskie dogs from one end of the field to the other while carrying NIU flags.<O></O>
- They do claim to have one of the oldest homecomings in the country, dating back to 1896. (This is a bit confusing considering their first football game wasn't until 1906, and hence their 100th homecoming is this year.)<O></O>
- Since 1899, the Huskie Marching Band, “Pride of the <ST1>Midwest</ST1>,” presents four formal shows at every home game. Ninety minutes before kickoff they perform Huskie Preview!—a concert of select pre-game and halftime tunes presented in block formation. After the pre-game concert, and on their way to Huskie Stadium, the marching band scatters and plays among the tailgaters. During the games, the band sits in the student section, and the halftime show—obviously their premiere performance—showcases the band. At the conclusion of each game, and after playing the Huskie Fight Song, they give a brief concert on the field in block formation. Each post-game concert begins with a song associated with that game’s halftime show and will draw upon music from previous week’s halftime shows, and include features for the Color Guard and The Silverettes, the band’s dance line. This post-game show always ends with the singing of school songs.
The Lighter Side
... And so ends another off-season. It couldn’t have come soon enough.
When we last left Ohio State football Troy Smith and company were rolling up huge amounts of yardage against Notre Dame. Looking back on my life, Ohio State’s beat down of Notre Dame reminded me of when in little league, my team geared up for and then demolished a team that came in to the game with a huge, unwarranted and over-inflated reputation. So, I thought... you know... If Notre Dame was the 1983 Little League White Sox, NIU – I would have to say – would be my little sister.
Yep... NIU reminds me of my sister. My sister is four years younger than me. And while she has finally come to realize I am the superior athlete (not saying much), it was not always that way. See, my sister used to challenge me to any number of competitions where I would, no doubt, be "shocked by her ability." So, she’d say she could throw a ball farther. But, she couldn’t and I’d beat her. She’d decide that she could row her inflatable raft faster with her arms than I could, but she couldn’t and she’d lose. She’d insist that she could out run me to the swings, but I was far and away faster. She’d lose every time... Why? Because I’m her big brother. I was not only better at these things (if nothing else, on account of the fact that I have 4 years of physical development on her), bigger, stronger, faster, but I liked winning, being #1 and such. And, so it is with Ohio State and NIU. Ohio State is the big brother, and NIU the little sister.... Insisting, “I can play with you! I can beat you!” Well, they can’t.
Like my sister, NIU boasts things like, “we’ve played and beaten big schools before.” Reminds me of one time when my sister challenged a friend of mine to a wiffle ball game in the front yard. So they played. My sister won a hotly contested match that went in to extra innings. Of course my friend was humiliated having lost to a girl. He told me, “You will know what this means in about 20 years, but right now I feel like I am Maryland losing to Northern Illinois 23 - 13.” (What he lacked in wiffle ball skill, he made up for with ESP.) So, my sister made the leap... “I beat his friend, I can therefore beat him.” So, she challenged me to a wiffle ball game. I don’t recall the score, but the game ended after one inning, I showed no mercy and I made her cry.
Like my sister, NIU claims to have talents "never before seen!" NIU boasts Garrett Wolfe... a Heisman candidate and future NFL stud. Garrett Wolfe is like my sister’s “trick shot”... While playing HORSE, she proudly stated that I couldn’t beat her in HORSE because she had a shot she could make, and one I was sure to have never seen before. So, she steps up to the freethrow line, slams the ball on the pavement, and it goes up and in. “SEE!!!!!” she says.. “Yep. I saw.” I said, and likewise sunk the shot. Of course, I had seen the “trick shot” before... a lot, actually. It was nothing new and I was even practiced at it myself. Ohio State has seen plenty of Heisman Candidates and future NFL studs... some of them even actually became NFL studs... yet, Ohio State shut them all down. NIU is my sister and a trick shot isn’t going to get it done.
Like my sister, NIU doesn’t appear to realize that there is a huge difference between levels of competition (OK.... Maybe this is more a knock on the fans). My sister dominated tetherball among her peers in the second grade. Much the same way Wolfe runs wild against the MAC. Hell, my sister was so good, she could hold her own with some 3rd and 4th graders – even on the rarest of occasion, she’d win a close game. Well, so sure of her skill was she that one day she decided it was time. And she challenged me.... and she lost. Why? Because I played tetherball too... and I played it at a higher level week in and week out than she did. Like my sister, maybe NIU can hold there own against better competition from time to time. But, like my sister, NIU will keep on losing even if they dominate the MAC or even beat Maryland once.
See, NIU – and the more I think about it, MAC teams generally – are like my sister. Unable to realize a great many things about our relationship as it related to athletics. Continually insisting “I can beat you!” even in the face of loss, after loss, after loss... One day my sister stopped challenging me to physical activities. And one day, these MAC teams will get it too... Yes, NIU fans, Your team is just like my little sister. To small, too slow, your talent not deep enough nor is it “never before seen!”
You know, sometimes I felt sorry for my sister, and I’d allow the competition to be “close” but I’d still win. Then, other times (most the time), I felt mean and would set out to completely destroy her in whatever challenge we were engaging. The “score” had nothing to do with her skill but rather what I would allow. And like my sister, the depth of the beat down NIU endures while Ohio State proves it’s the better football program is dependant – not on anything NIU does – but on when Coach Tressel says “OK, that’s enough.”
When we last left Ohio State football Troy Smith and company were rolling up huge amounts of yardage against Notre Dame. Looking back on my life, Ohio State’s beat down of Notre Dame reminded me of when in little league, my team geared up for and then demolished a team that came in to the game with a huge, unwarranted and over-inflated reputation. So, I thought... you know... If Notre Dame was the 1983 Little League White Sox, NIU – I would have to say – would be my little sister.
Yep... NIU reminds me of my sister. My sister is four years younger than me. And while she has finally come to realize I am the superior athlete (not saying much), it was not always that way. See, my sister used to challenge me to any number of competitions where I would, no doubt, be "shocked by her ability." So, she’d say she could throw a ball farther. But, she couldn’t and I’d beat her. She’d decide that she could row her inflatable raft faster with her arms than I could, but she couldn’t and she’d lose. She’d insist that she could out run me to the swings, but I was far and away faster. She’d lose every time... Why? Because I’m her big brother. I was not only better at these things (if nothing else, on account of the fact that I have 4 years of physical development on her), bigger, stronger, faster, but I liked winning, being #1 and such. And, so it is with Ohio State and NIU. Ohio State is the big brother, and NIU the little sister.... Insisting, “I can play with you! I can beat you!” Well, they can’t.
Like my sister, NIU boasts things like, “we’ve played and beaten big schools before.” Reminds me of one time when my sister challenged a friend of mine to a wiffle ball game in the front yard. So they played. My sister won a hotly contested match that went in to extra innings. Of course my friend was humiliated having lost to a girl. He told me, “You will know what this means in about 20 years, but right now I feel like I am Maryland losing to Northern Illinois 23 - 13.” (What he lacked in wiffle ball skill, he made up for with ESP.) So, my sister made the leap... “I beat his friend, I can therefore beat him.” So, she challenged me to a wiffle ball game. I don’t recall the score, but the game ended after one inning, I showed no mercy and I made her cry.
Like my sister, NIU claims to have talents "never before seen!" NIU boasts Garrett Wolfe... a Heisman candidate and future NFL stud. Garrett Wolfe is like my sister’s “trick shot”... While playing HORSE, she proudly stated that I couldn’t beat her in HORSE because she had a shot she could make, and one I was sure to have never seen before. So, she steps up to the freethrow line, slams the ball on the pavement, and it goes up and in. “SEE!!!!!” she says.. “Yep. I saw.” I said, and likewise sunk the shot. Of course, I had seen the “trick shot” before... a lot, actually. It was nothing new and I was even practiced at it myself. Ohio State has seen plenty of Heisman Candidates and future NFL studs... some of them even actually became NFL studs... yet, Ohio State shut them all down. NIU is my sister and a trick shot isn’t going to get it done.
Like my sister, NIU doesn’t appear to realize that there is a huge difference between levels of competition (OK.... Maybe this is more a knock on the fans). My sister dominated tetherball among her peers in the second grade. Much the same way Wolfe runs wild against the MAC. Hell, my sister was so good, she could hold her own with some 3rd and 4th graders – even on the rarest of occasion, she’d win a close game. Well, so sure of her skill was she that one day she decided it was time. And she challenged me.... and she lost. Why? Because I played tetherball too... and I played it at a higher level week in and week out than she did. Like my sister, maybe NIU can hold there own against better competition from time to time. But, like my sister, NIU will keep on losing even if they dominate the MAC or even beat Maryland once.
See, NIU – and the more I think about it, MAC teams generally – are like my sister. Unable to realize a great many things about our relationship as it related to athletics. Continually insisting “I can beat you!” even in the face of loss, after loss, after loss... One day my sister stopped challenging me to physical activities. And one day, these MAC teams will get it too... Yes, NIU fans, Your team is just like my little sister. To small, too slow, your talent not deep enough nor is it “never before seen!”
You know, sometimes I felt sorry for my sister, and I’d allow the competition to be “close” but I’d still win. Then, other times (most the time), I felt mean and would set out to completely destroy her in whatever challenge we were engaging. The “score” had nothing to do with her skill but rather what I would allow. And like my sister, the depth of the beat down NIU endures while Ohio State proves it’s the better football program is dependant – not on anything NIU does – but on when Coach Tressel says “OK, that’s enough.”
Historical Data
Northern Illinois University (DeKalb, IL) Founded in 1895
Football 1st Season: 1899
Stadium: Huskie Stadium "The Doghouse”
Constructed: 1965
Seating Capacity: 30,998
Playing Surface: FieldTurf (Brigham Field)
Conference: Mid American Conference (MAC) since 1997 (1899-1919 Independent, 1920-1924 Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, 1925-1927 Independent, 1928-1949 Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, 1950-1965 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, 1966-1972 Independent, 1973-1986 Mid-American Athletic Conference, 1987-1992 Division I-A Independent, 1993-1995 Big West Conference, 1996-1996 Division I-A Independent)
Colors: Cardinal & Black
Mascot: Huskies
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1983 (mixture of small/major college classifications other years)
Conference Championships: 1 MAC Title: 1983, 8 other championships from other conferences.
Consensus All-Americans: 1 as of 2004
College Hall-of-Famers: 1
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 0
Award Winners: None
National Championships: 1, 1963, Associated Press (Small) College Division National Champions
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: None
Stadium: Huskie Stadium "The Doghouse”
Constructed: 1965
Seating Capacity: 30,998
Playing Surface: FieldTurf (Brigham Field)
Conference: Mid American Conference (MAC) since 1997 (1899-1919 Independent, 1920-1924 Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, 1925-1927 Independent, 1928-1949 Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, 1950-1965 Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, 1966-1972 Independent, 1973-1986 Mid-American Athletic Conference, 1987-1992 Division I-A Independent, 1993-1995 Big West Conference, 1996-1996 Division I-A Independent)
Colors: Cardinal & Black
Mascot: Huskies
College Classification: D-IA (or equivalent) since 1983 (mixture of small/major college classifications other years)
Conference Championships: 1 MAC Title: 1983, 8 other championships from other conferences.
Consensus All-Americans: 1 as of 2004
College Hall-of-Famers: 1
Pro Hall-of-Famers: 0
Award Winners: None
National Championships: 1, 1963, Associated Press (Small) College Division National Champions
Number of AP/Coaches final rankings: None
Records
All Time: 480-427-50 (.528)
Bowl Games: 2-0-0 (1.000) Most recently a 34-21 win over Troy State in the Silicon Valley Classic (2004)
All Time vs the BigTen: 1-27-1 (.052) versus teams with conference membership at time of game.
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: No previous meetings.
Coach’s Reord: Joe Novak, 1996-2005, 54-60-0 (.474)
Last Season: 7-5-0 (.583)
L - L - Northwestern (37-38)
W - Tennessee Tech (42-3)
L - Akron (42-48)
W - Miami (OH) (38-27)
W - Eastern Michigan (24-8)
W - Kent St. (34-3)
L - Ball St. (17-31)
W - Central Michigan (31-28)
W - Toledo (35-17)
W - Western Michigan (42-7)
L - Akron (30-31) MAC Championship Game
Last 5 Years: 40-19-0 (.678)
Last 10 Years: 54-55-0 (.495)
Bowl Games: 2-0-0 (1.000) Most recently a 34-21 win over Troy State in the Silicon Valley Classic (2004)
All Time vs the BigTen: 1-27-1 (.052) versus teams with conference membership at time of game.
All Time vs the Ohio State Buckeyes: No previous meetings.
Coach’s Reord: Joe Novak, 1996-2005, 54-60-0 (.474)
Last Season: 7-5-0 (.583)
L - L - Northwestern (37-38)
W - Tennessee Tech (42-3)
L - Akron (42-48)
W - Miami (OH) (38-27)
W - Eastern Michigan (24-8)
W - Kent St. (34-3)
L - Ball St. (17-31)
W - Central Michigan (31-28)
W - Toledo (35-17)
W - Western Michigan (42-7)
L - Akron (30-31) MAC Championship Game
Last 5 Years: 40-19-0 (.678)
Last 10 Years: 54-55-0 (.495)
Links
Official Sites:
Official School Site - Northern Illinois University
Student Newspaper - Northern Star
Official Athletic Site - Northern Illinois Huskies
Official Conference Site - Mid American Conference
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Team Page - NIU Insider (Scout)
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Local News Sources:
DeKalb Daily Chronicle - Local News
Chicago Daily Herald - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (01/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (02/03/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (03/24/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (04/11/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (04/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (05/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (05/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (05/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (05/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (06/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (06/27/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (06/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (07/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (08/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (08/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
Prospectus, Rosters & Other Info.:
2006 Roster - NIU Huskies
2006 Prospectus (PDF) - NIU Huskies
2006 News Releases - NIU Huskies
2006 MAC Spring Looks - CFN
2006 MAC Spring Storylines - CFN
2006 Preview - CFN
2006 Preview - Offense - CFN
2006 Preview - Defense - CFN
2006 Preview - Further Analysis - CFN
2006 Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2006 Team Preview - Athlon
2006 Team Preview - CNN/SI
2006 Team Preview - Football.com
2006 Team Preview - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview-Offense - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview-Defense - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview - The Sports Network
Travel: Home Game
2006 OSU Visiting Team Guide - Ohio State Buckeyes
2006 OSU Visitor’s Travel Guide - Ohio State Buckeyes
2006 OSU Visitor’s Weather Guide - Ohio State Buckeyes
Mid American Conference:
2006 MAC Spring Prospectus (PDF) - Mid American Conference
2006 MAC Schedule (By Team or Date) - Mid American Conference
Official School Site - Northern Illinois University
Student Newspaper - Northern Star
Official Athletic Site - Northern Illinois Huskies
Official Conference Site - Mid American Conference
Message Boards & Team Pages:
Team Page - NIU Insider (Scout)
Team Page - ESPN
Team Page - USA Today
Team Page - Sporting News
Team Page - CNN/SI
Team Page - CFN
Team Page - Yahoo Sports
Local News Sources:
DeKalb Daily Chronicle - Local News
Chicago Daily Herald - Local News
Team Previews and Breakdowns:
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (01/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (02/03/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (03/24/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (04/11/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (04/25/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (05/02/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (05/05/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (05/17/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (05/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (06/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (06/27/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (06/30/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (07/13/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (08/08/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
NORTHERN ILLINOIS Team Report (08/22/06) - CSTV (The Sports Xchange)
Prospectus, Rosters & Other Info.:
2006 Roster - NIU Huskies
2006 Prospectus (PDF) - NIU Huskies
2006 News Releases - NIU Huskies
2006 MAC Spring Looks - CFN
2006 MAC Spring Storylines - CFN
2006 Preview - CFN
2006 Preview - Offense - CFN
2006 Preview - Defense - CFN
2006 Preview - Further Analysis - CFN
2006 Preview - Depth Chart - CFN
2006 Team Preview - Athlon
2006 Team Preview - CNN/SI
2006 Team Preview - Football.com
2006 Team Preview - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview-Offense - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview-Defense - Just College Football
2006 Team Preview - The Sports Network
Travel: Home Game
2006 OSU Visiting Team Guide - Ohio State Buckeyes
2006 OSU Visitor’s Travel Guide - Ohio State Buckeyes
2006 OSU Visitor’s Weather Guide - Ohio State Buckeyes
Mid American Conference:
2006 MAC Spring Prospectus (PDF) - Mid American Conference
2006 MAC Schedule (By Team or Date) - Mid American Conference
Preseason Rankings
None listed in Top 25
Preseason Watch Lists
2006 Lombardi Award - Watch List (The Rotary Club of Houston)
Doug Free, OT, Northern Illinois
2006 Outland Trophy - Watch List (FWAA)
Doug Free, OT, Northern Illinois
2006 Maxwell Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Wolfe, Garrett - Northern Illinois
2006 Walter Camp Player of the Year - Watch List (Walter Camp Foundation)
Wolfe, Garrett - Northern Illinois
2006 Biletnikoff Award - Watch List (Tallahassee Quarterback Club)
Not Yet Released
2006 Davey O'Brien Award - Watch List (Davey O'Brien Foundation)
Not Yet Released
2006 Johnny Unitas Award - Watch List (Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation)
Not Yet Released
2006 Doak Walker Award - Watch List (SMU Athletic Forum)
Not Yet Released
2006 Sammy Baugh Award - Watch List (Touchdown Club of Columbus)
Not Yet Released
2006 Mosi Tatupu Award - Watch List (Honolulu and Maui Quarterback Clubs)
Not Yet Released (Possibly Defunct)
2006 Heisman Trophy Award - Watch List (Downtown Athletic Club of New York)
No Official List is Published by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York
Using CFN’s Top 20 List
16. RB Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois
Doug Free, OT, Northern Illinois
2006 Outland Trophy - Watch List (FWAA)
Doug Free, OT, Northern Illinois
2006 Maxwell Award - Watch List (Maxwell Football Club)
Wolfe, Garrett - Northern Illinois
2006 Walter Camp Player of the Year - Watch List (Walter Camp Foundation)
Wolfe, Garrett - Northern Illinois
2006 Biletnikoff Award - Watch List (Tallahassee Quarterback Club)
Not Yet Released
2006 Davey O'Brien Award - Watch List (Davey O'Brien Foundation)
Not Yet Released
2006 Johnny Unitas Award - Watch List (Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation)
Not Yet Released
2006 Doak Walker Award - Watch List (SMU Athletic Forum)
Not Yet Released
2006 Sammy Baugh Award - Watch List (Touchdown Club of Columbus)
Not Yet Released
2006 Mosi Tatupu Award - Watch List (Honolulu and Maui Quarterback Clubs)
Not Yet Released (Possibly Defunct)
2006 Heisman Trophy Award - Watch List (Downtown Athletic Club of New York)
No Official List is Published by the Downtown Athletic Club of New York
Using CFN’s Top 20 List
16. RB Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois
Preseason Conference Accolades
2006 MAC Football Media Day
2006 MAC Preseason Media Poll
West Division
1. Northern Illinois 286 (39)
2. Toledo 244 (10)
3. Western Michigan 172 (1)
4. Central Michigan 155
5. Ball State 120
6. Eastern Michigan 73
East Division
1. Akron 282 (35)
2. Miami 235 (11)
3. Bowling Green 196 (2)
4. Ohio 176 (2)
5. Kent State 97
6. Buffalo 64
Championship game winner: Northern Illinois (37); Toledo (8); Akron (3); Miami (1); Western Michigan (1).
2006 MAC Preseason Media Poll
West Division
1. Northern Illinois 286 (39)
2. Toledo 244 (10)
3. Western Michigan 172 (1)
4. Central Michigan 155
5. Ball State 120
6. Eastern Michigan 73
East Division
1. Akron 282 (35)
2. Miami 235 (11)
3. Bowling Green 196 (2)
4. Ohio 176 (2)
5. Kent State 97
6. Buffalo 64
Championship game winner: Northern Illinois (37); Toledo (8); Akron (3); Miami (1); Western Michigan (1).
Note: Statistical data was complied using a variety of sources, including:
Stassen (Chris Stassen) - Data
College Football Data Warehouse - Data
Two Cousins College Football Emporium - Data
American College Football-RSFC (Dave Wilson) - Data
D1A Football (Formerly WALJ 10 College Football) - Data
National Champs.net - Data
Hickok Sports - Data
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