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Huskie Gridders Begin Final Week of Preseason Training Camp
NIU continues with Monday double-session 12 days before opener
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Joe Novak's squad began its final week of preseason camp on Monday.
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Aug. 21, 2006
DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois Huskies continued their preseason training camp with a Monday double-session to start the final week of training camp before classes begin. During the full-pad morning session, NIU worked on position drills, red zone running game, kickoffs and wrapped up with 11-on-11 scrimmage action. The afternoon workout was held in shells and emphasized preparation for Ohio State.
The battle for the starting quarterback role between
Phil Horvath and
Dan Nicholson continues to be very competitive. Fans anticipating the end result in who will be named to take the first snap on Sept. 2 can be assured that the coaching staff is confident in each of its potential signal callers.
"The competition at quarterback between Phil and Dan has been great throughout camp," said head coach
Joe Novak. "Both have had excellent camps and nothing has changed as far as naming one or the other as the starter. We have confidence in both, whichever one will be our starter at Ohio State.
Ryan Morris has established himself as our third quarterback and we are pleased with the progress he has made."
Offensive Coordinator/quarterbacks coach
John Bond sees the competition as one that will make both quarterbacks better prepared to be the starter.
"With Phil and Dan, we have two special guys who both obviously want the starting job," said Bond. "Every snap in practice is precious and the competition makes them better. It is also as friendly a competition as I have seen for two people who both badly want the starting job. They help each other out and both are a pleasure to be around. <!-- STORY AD BEGINS HERE -->
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<!-- STORY AD ENDS HERE -->"It is clear that both quarterbacks are going to be better than they were last fall, even though that may not equate to producing better numbers. Both put up awfully impressive totals last season, but our main focus is getting better not being hung up on statistics." The Huskies have a single practice scheduled for Tuesday morning before resuming with the final "two-a-day" of camp on Wednesday. Northern Illinois opens the 2006 season on Saturday, Sept. 2 versus preseason No. 1 ranked Ohio State in Columbus. The game will be broadcast live by ABC Sports beginning at 2:30 p.m. (Central). NIU opens its 2006 home schedule on Saturday, Sept. 9 in Huskie Stadium versus MAC opponent Ohio in the first of three straight September home dates for the Huskies. Season and single game tickets for the 2006 campaign are on sale now through the NIU Athletics Ticket Office in the Convocation Center. Tickets can be ordered by calling Ticketmaster at 312-559-1212 or on the internet at
www.niuhuskies.com.
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NIU Huskies Football
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