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Heisman
Northern Illinois Announces Phil Horvath as Team's Starting Quarterback
Coach Novak selects senior to start Sept. 2 opener at Ohio State
Senior signal caller Phil Horvath returns as the MAC's second-leading passer from 2005.
Aug. 25, 2006
DeKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois Huskies continued preparations for their Sept. 2 date at Ohio State on Friday and after the conclusion of the morning's practice head coach Joe Novak announced Phil Horvath as the team's starting quarterback to open the season.
"I could go with either Phil or Dan (Nicholson) but one of them has to start. I do not have a lot of reasons, but it will be Phil," said Novak. "By the same token, I think Dan is going play a bunch this season. I feel comfortable and confident with both of them. Somebody has to be the starter and either one could do it. There is not a list of 10 reasons for this decision."
Horvath led the NCAA in season completion percentage (.706) last season while placing sixth in passing efficiency (159.45). The Naperville native set several NIU records during the 2005 campaign including the season completion percentage mark and three single-game standards against Akron on Sept. 24 for yardage (486), total offense (477), and consecutive completions (13). Horvath started the first nine games of the year before suffering a broken left arm against Central Michigan on Nov. 5 that sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
"It is a dream come true to return from injury and be the starter after sitting out the end of last season," said Horvath. "It has been a long off season and I was not sure what to expect in recovery. I felt good during the spring and fall and am ready to get back on the field."
Horvath and Nicholson, who started the final three games of 2005, were involved in a strong competition throughout fall training camp that was as close a position battle as any. "Through camp I have been focusing on Ohio State and also the daily competition for the starting job," said Horvath. "Now I can focus 100 percent on preparation for Ohio State."
The Northern Illinois - Ohio State game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. (Central) on Saturday, Sept. 2 from Ohio Stadium 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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