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Either man could claim to be No. 1 going in.
Horvath a season ago set several team passing records – even toppling some of the great George Bork's marks from 40-plus years ago – before his left arm was broken in early November.
"It's definitely a good competition with us," Nicholson said. "We're still friends off the field. We know how to separate football from that."
Nicholson's own dynamic play led the Huskies to three crucial victories down the stretch of the regular season, which helped them reach the Mid-American Conference title game.
"If you come into the season 'knowing' you're the starter, you might not make it through camp as one," Horvath said.
"Dan and I, we have to give it our best every single day at practice."
So, the Huskies on Wednesday night wore helmets and shoulder pads in practice for the first time this preseason, getting down to the business of deciding who plays where and how much.
NIU coach Joe Novak is undecided which one will direct the Huskies who, led by preseason All-America tailback Garrett Wolfe, are a favorite by MAC media to win the conference championship.
"They're two kids that are handling this thing about as well as you can," Novak said of Horvath and Nicholson. "They both want to play and I'd be worried if they didn't. I told them both, 'I'm not sure how it's going to work out,' but I see them both getting playing time."
Horvath, a senior, would seem to have the edge despite Nicholson finishing the previous season as No. 1. Horvath as a junior completed 71 percent of his passes – tops in Div. I, and was sixth in passing efficiency.
Coaches and teammates say his biggest plus might be his brain, and Horvath seems to think he could play even better this season.
"I thought I had a great season statistically, but going back and watching film, there are a number of things I thought I could have done better with footwork and reads," said Horvath, who tossed 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 238 attempts.
Nicholson helped save the Huskies season as a freshman by throwing six touchdowns in the final four games. He passed for 327 yards at Central Michigan and started 10-for-10 in a blowout win at Toledo. He has a stronger arm and takes more chances than Horvath, Novak said.
Huskies offensive tackle Doug Free said either man would do the job well.
"Both quarterbacks proved that we could win with them," Free said. "That's all that really matters."
New starting center Eddie Adamski said both are great athletes, adding, "it doesn't feel any different" which one takes the snaps.
Wolfe, too, was polite about not favoring one QB over another, but seemed to be leaning toward the senior.
"A lot of people look up to me for my leadership abilities, but Phil is a guy that I look to as a leader," Wolfe said. "I look up to Phil on the football field. Phil is a guy that I really respect and is really valuable."
The Huskies open their season Sept. 2 at Ohio State.
By DAVID BROWN
No controversy in NIU's fight for starting quarterback
[published on Thu, Aug 10, 2006]
DeKALB – The competition for starting quarterback at Northern Illinois is a friendly one, because that is how teammates Phil Horvath and Dan Nicholson want it.[published on Thu, Aug 10, 2006]
Either man could claim to be No. 1 going in.
Horvath a season ago set several team passing records – even toppling some of the great George Bork's marks from 40-plus years ago – before his left arm was broken in early November.
"It's definitely a good competition with us," Nicholson said. "We're still friends off the field. We know how to separate football from that."
Nicholson's own dynamic play led the Huskies to three crucial victories down the stretch of the regular season, which helped them reach the Mid-American Conference title game.
"If you come into the season 'knowing' you're the starter, you might not make it through camp as one," Horvath said.
"Dan and I, we have to give it our best every single day at practice."
So, the Huskies on Wednesday night wore helmets and shoulder pads in practice for the first time this preseason, getting down to the business of deciding who plays where and how much.
NIU coach Joe Novak is undecided which one will direct the Huskies who, led by preseason All-America tailback Garrett Wolfe, are a favorite by MAC media to win the conference championship.
"They're two kids that are handling this thing about as well as you can," Novak said of Horvath and Nicholson. "They both want to play and I'd be worried if they didn't. I told them both, 'I'm not sure how it's going to work out,' but I see them both getting playing time."
Horvath, a senior, would seem to have the edge despite Nicholson finishing the previous season as No. 1. Horvath as a junior completed 71 percent of his passes – tops in Div. I, and was sixth in passing efficiency.
Coaches and teammates say his biggest plus might be his brain, and Horvath seems to think he could play even better this season.
"I thought I had a great season statistically, but going back and watching film, there are a number of things I thought I could have done better with footwork and reads," said Horvath, who tossed 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 238 attempts.
Nicholson helped save the Huskies season as a freshman by throwing six touchdowns in the final four games. He passed for 327 yards at Central Michigan and started 10-for-10 in a blowout win at Toledo. He has a stronger arm and takes more chances than Horvath, Novak said.
Huskies offensive tackle Doug Free said either man would do the job well.
"Both quarterbacks proved that we could win with them," Free said. "That's all that really matters."
New starting center Eddie Adamski said both are great athletes, adding, "it doesn't feel any different" which one takes the snaps.
Wolfe, too, was polite about not favoring one QB over another, but seemed to be leaning toward the senior.
"A lot of people look up to me for my leadership abilities, but Phil is a guy that I look to as a leader," Wolfe said. "I look up to Phil on the football field. Phil is a guy that I really respect and is really valuable."
The Huskies open their season Sept. 2 at Ohio State.
By DAVID BROWN
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<!-- %%% End of espt_pre.html %%% --> Quarterback duel making NIU better
By Rick Armstrong STAFF WRITER
DEKALB — Competition, any football coach will tell you, makes players better. In that case, Mid-American Conference favorite Northern Illinois could be in for the banner year experts are predicting.
Closed preseason practices opened this week, and the quarterback duel is on. It's a battle coach Joe Novak figures puts him in a win-win situation.
Senior incumbent Phil Horvath (Naperville Central) is recovered from the broken arm that sidelined him early in the ninth game of last season at Central Michigan. Also back is sophomore Dan Nicholson (Brother Rice), who led the Huskies to their first win at Toledo since 1972 on the way to the MAC championship game.
"I know those two kids don't necessarily like to hear this, but I look at it as we have two starting quarterbacks," Novak said. "I don't know which one is going to take the first snap at Ohio State. But I do and I know the staff and the team have confidence in both of them that we can win with them. And that's a great situation for me as a coach. I think both are gonna play this fall, but I'm not gonna rotate them."
Penciled in as backups are redshirt freshman Ryan Morris (6-2, 177) of West Chicago and true freshman Billy Lowe (6-3, 214) of Lakeland, Fla. Lowe rhelped lead his team to the state big-school title in Florida last year and the team was also named national champs by USA Today.
Horvath, who prevailed in the four-man QB derby last fall, was having a great statistical season when he went down. His completion percentage of .706 (168-for-238 for 2,001 yards, 18 TDs, one interception) led the nation, and he had a season-high 486 yards passing in an overtime loss at Akron.
"(The competition) is just going to make both of us better," said the 6-foot-3, 197-pound Horvath. "That's just the way it is. You can't take a day off. We've gotta go and do all we can do to prepare ourselves."
Horvath, who played in seven games subbing for injured Josh Haldi as a sophomore, has played on some big stages: at Maryland, Iowa State, Michigan and Northwestern.
"On our first drive (at Michigan), we said, 'We can play with these guys,'" he said. "We knew we could have won that game without the turnovers."
This season opens Sept. 2 at Ohio State.
"Playing at places like Maryland and Alabama have shown us we can go in there and do well," Horvath said. "Those guys are not super-human. We're going (to Columbus) to win, not check out The Horseshoe (Ohio Stadium)."
Nicholson (6-2, 187) may have the strongest arm on the team but was hurt last preseason when he pulled a lat muscle.
"It's pretty nerve-wracking," he said of the duel. "We both want the job. There's only so much you can do and then let things take care of themselves."
Nicholson's numbers weren't bad, either. He completed 62 percent (59-for-95) of his passes for 831 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions.
"I was just hyped to be in there (at Central Michigan)," he said. "I had little time to think about it. Coach (John) Bond and coach Novak did a great job of preparing me. They had always said, 'You're one play away,' and had stressed doing mental reps.
"I don't really have a favorite (QB) I looked up to, but my dad is a Bears' season ticket holder and I remember watching tapes of the championship year when Jim McMahon quarterbacked them, so maybe him a little bit. But I just try to be myself out there and just work hard."
College Football
<!-- %%% End of espt_pre.html %%% --> Quarterback duel making NIU better
By Rick Armstrong STAFF WRITER
DEKALB — Competition, any football coach will tell you, makes players better. In that case, Mid-American Conference favorite Northern Illinois could be in for the banner year experts are predicting.
Closed preseason practices opened this week, and the quarterback duel is on. It's a battle coach Joe Novak figures puts him in a win-win situation.
Senior incumbent Phil Horvath (Naperville Central) is recovered from the broken arm that sidelined him early in the ninth game of last season at Central Michigan. Also back is sophomore Dan Nicholson (Brother Rice), who led the Huskies to their first win at Toledo since 1972 on the way to the MAC championship game.
"I know those two kids don't necessarily like to hear this, but I look at it as we have two starting quarterbacks," Novak said. "I don't know which one is going to take the first snap at Ohio State. But I do and I know the staff and the team have confidence in both of them that we can win with them. And that's a great situation for me as a coach. I think both are gonna play this fall, but I'm not gonna rotate them."
Penciled in as backups are redshirt freshman Ryan Morris (6-2, 177) of West Chicago and true freshman Billy Lowe (6-3, 214) of Lakeland, Fla. Lowe rhelped lead his team to the state big-school title in Florida last year and the team was also named national champs by USA Today.
Horvath, who prevailed in the four-man QB derby last fall, was having a great statistical season when he went down. His completion percentage of .706 (168-for-238 for 2,001 yards, 18 TDs, one interception) led the nation, and he had a season-high 486 yards passing in an overtime loss at Akron.
"(The competition) is just going to make both of us better," said the 6-foot-3, 197-pound Horvath. "That's just the way it is. You can't take a day off. We've gotta go and do all we can do to prepare ourselves."
Horvath, who played in seven games subbing for injured Josh Haldi as a sophomore, has played on some big stages: at Maryland, Iowa State, Michigan and Northwestern.
"On our first drive (at Michigan), we said, 'We can play with these guys,'" he said. "We knew we could have won that game without the turnovers."
This season opens Sept. 2 at Ohio State.
"Playing at places like Maryland and Alabama have shown us we can go in there and do well," Horvath said. "Those guys are not super-human. We're going (to Columbus) to win, not check out The Horseshoe (Ohio Stadium)."
Nicholson (6-2, 187) may have the strongest arm on the team but was hurt last preseason when he pulled a lat muscle.
"It's pretty nerve-wracking," he said of the duel. "We both want the job. There's only so much you can do and then let things take care of themselves."
Nicholson's numbers weren't bad, either. He completed 62 percent (59-for-95) of his passes for 831 yards and six touchdowns with two interceptions.
"I was just hyped to be in there (at Central Michigan)," he said. "I had little time to think about it. Coach (John) Bond and coach Novak did a great job of preparing me. They had always said, 'You're one play away,' and had stressed doing mental reps.
"I don't really have a favorite (QB) I looked up to, but my dad is a Bears' season ticket holder and I remember watching tapes of the championship year when Jim McMahon quarterbacked them, so maybe him a little bit. But I just try to be myself out there and just work hard."
College Football
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daddyphatsacs
Let the cards fall...
I like the attitude, but they will see a different environment in Columbus than they saw at Maryland, or even Alabama.
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On our first drive (at Michigan), we said, 'We can play with these guys,'" he said. "We knew we could have won that game without the turnovers."
Well, pal, on your first drive in the Horseshoe, you will be thinking, "Damn, these guys really are that good.":osu:
Thanks for the bulletin board material. It can't hurt.
Well, pal, on your first drive in the Horseshoe, you will be thinking, "Damn, these guys really are that good.":osu:
Thanks for the bulletin board material. It can't hurt.
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You also could've won if you scored more points than Michigan...
Yeah, and Miami (Oh) was within 23-10 in the third quarter at Michigan in 2004, but were down 34-0 in the third against us the following year. Just because you may have played a couple other BCS teams tough in the recent past doesn't mean you'll do the same in The Shoe.
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OregonBuckeye
Semper Fi Buckeyes
I wouldn't call that bulletin board material. He didn't put down tOSU in any way. He just said he and his teammates felt confident.
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OSUBuckeye4Life
"THE" Ohio State Buckeyes
You dont have to take a specific jab at Ohio State to make a "bulletin board" type comment.
BTW, if you can play with a team the talent of a Michigan you tend to think you can play with an Ohio State.
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OSUBuckeye4Life
"THE" Ohio State Buckeyes
I love how you can say that as fact. I've learned that going back and forth with folks like that is a wasted effort. You believe what you want.
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OregonBuckeye
Semper Fi Buckeyes
I bet the players are real mad right now. He's confident!? Man, how dare he say that!!!! 
Whatever, I stated my opinion. You can have your own too. Peace.
Whatever, I stated my opinion. You can have your own too. Peace.
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OSUBuckeye4Life
"THE" Ohio State Buckeyes
I bet the players are real mad right now. He's confident!? Man, how dare he say that!!!!
Whatever, I stated my opinion. You can have your own too. Peace.
Oh, I guess anger is the only way to get a player motivated. Got'cha. Now I understand.
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OregonBuckeye
Semper Fi Buckeyes
Off-topic but where did that hippie smiley go?
No, anger isn't the only way to get a team motivated. I just don't see how this is bulletin board material though. Players saying they're confident heading into the tOSU game because they've played against big time teams before(Alabama and scUM) just doesn't sound like BBM. I interpret it as them saying they aren't going to be intimidated by a big game atmosphere because they have some experience playing in them before. Maybe I'm missing something(it wouldn't be the first time).
No, anger isn't the only way to get a team motivated. I just don't see how this is bulletin board material though. Players saying they're confident heading into the tOSU game because they've played against big time teams before(Alabama and scUM) just doesn't sound like BBM. I interpret it as them saying they aren't going to be intimidated by a big game atmosphere because they have some experience playing in them before. Maybe I'm missing something(it wouldn't be the first time).
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OSUBuckeye4Life
"THE" Ohio State Buckeyes
Simply put:
Nothern Illinois thinks they can play with The Ohio State University.
Does it come off as pompous, sure. Does it come off as arrogant, hell yes. The fact still remains we are talking about two teams on two different ends of the spectrum when it comes to college football greatness. The players MIGHT get motivated by the fact they want to go out and show them that they dont belong with the Big 10, let alone the class of the Big 10.
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