By Bobby Narang –
The Northern Illinois University football team is aiming high again.
The Huskies started Spring practice March 27 and will conclude with the annual Huskie Bowl April 28.
As one of the last Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs to start Spring football practice, the Huskies are seeking to reverse their recent trend. From 2010 to 2014, Northern Illinois won at least 11 games in a season, but has averaged only seven victories in the past three seasons, and has lost its last five bowl games.
Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey said expectations remain high for his program.
“Expectations are always high around here, so I would think that this year is no different,” he said. “There’s a lot of excitement. We haven’t set our team goals yet, what we are going to do. We know what the mission is. That is to improve right now, individually and as a team. And then as Spring ball goes on we start to learn what we can be on the field. I have a good idea of what we are off the field. They’re a really bonded group together, and really that is an important process of how you build that bond. As we get a better idea on the field, we will attack that as we go. I can tell you this much, it is not going to change much in the meantime.”
One of the areas to watch is if the Huskies can take the next step will be the quarterback position. For the first time in a few seasons, the Huskies don’t have to worry about a quarterback battle. Sophomore Marcus Childers is the quarterback for the Huskies. He passed for 1,674 yards and 16 touchdowns with only five interceptions, while rushing for 473 yards in his freshman season. Former Oswego High School star defensive back Antwain Walker is among a group of freshmen that includes Devin Haney and Leon Payne who enrolled early.
“For those three kids that really should be in high school, what it’s allowed them to do is get adjusted to college academics and college life,” Carey said. “There’s no substitute for going through that and having time to adjust. The first half of this semester, which we just got done with, is really a time academically to see how their routine works now. It’s a lot different than being in high school.
“Athletically, for those three, it has really sped up the game for them. They’re much farther along in the system. All three are bigger stronger and faster. It’s definitely given them an advantage going into Spring ball. Now they’ll have 15 practices that you normally wouldn’t have if you were a freshman coming in in the summer like the rest of the class will be. It’s been a huge advantage for them.”
The Huskies will play one of the toughest nonconference schedules in the Nation this season. They will play at Iowa, host to Utah, and go to Florida State for a rematch of the 2013 Orange Bowl schools. The Huskies will play at Brigham Young University (BYU) October 27.
