2009 Northern Illinois Huskies Football Preview

NIU Offense:

NIU Huskies logo

One of the biggest surprises among the MAC quarterbacks in 2008 returns in 2009 with Chandler Harnish behind center for the Huskies. While he completed just 56% of his passes for 1,528 yards (with eight touchdowns and nine interceptions) he did lead NIU in rushing with 539 yards and four scores. DeMarcus Grady athletic ability will provide Northern some options at QB. Where the previous coaching staff had 1,000-yard rushers annually, the new coaching staff used a platoon or RBs led by Me’co Brown and Chad Spann to carry the load. Nathan Palmer returns and will be the feature receiver but this unit lost five seniors who produced a total of 1,090 of receiving yards graduated. The offensive line only gave up 17 sacks last year and should be even better this fall.

Northern Illinois Defense:

The Huskies lose two-time MAC Defensive MVP Larry English to the NFL and that hurts any defense, especially in the MAC. Coach Kill signed seven defensive linemen in this year’s class so obviously this is an area that needs to be built up quickly. Alex Kube and Cory Hanson lead the LB unit. The top two tacklers from last year’s squad return in safeties David Bryant and Mike Sobol.

NIU's Intangibles:

Mike Salerno has become a do-everything type of specialist, from placekicking duties to punting. Josh Wilber may assist on the punting this fall. A game breaker is needed on the return side. NIU is 1-32-1 all-time versus the Big Ten; playing Wisconsin and Purdue this year. NIU is 20-17-1 versus Western Illinois but has lost three straight in this series.

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2009 NIU Outlook:

No one should have been surprised with NIU going from 2-10 in 2007 to 6-7 in 2008. Jerry Kill inherited a very good program that Joe Novak had built up with the Huskies producing 10 wins in 2003, nine in 2004 and seven in 2005 and 2006. Now NIU must sustain the momentum brought back last year and continue to move forward in the very difficult west division. The non-conference slate is quite manageable compared to other MAC schools this year with Wisconsin being the only nationally ranked preseason team. Still, having just four returning starters on defense could pose a problem. NIU could finish anywhere from third to fifth in the west this fall.

The Big Game for NIU in 2009:

October 17 at Toledo; the Rockets are a long time nemesis to the Huskie program. UT is 13-2 versus NIU over the last fifteen games but NIU dominated Toledo 38-7 in DeKalb last season, their first win over Toledo at home since 1989. The Rockets ‘rocked’ the Huskies 70-21 in their last visit to the Glass Bowl in 2007.

2008 NATIONAL RANKINGS
OFFENSE	PER GAME	NATIONAL RANK
Scoring	24.2	76
Rushing	171.2	36
Passing	163.9	100
Total Offense	335.1	83
DEFENSE	PER GAME	NATIONAL RANK
Scoring	18	14
Rushing	137.4	51
Passing	161.1	5
Total Defense	298.5	17

2009 Schedule & Predictions
*Date*	*Opp.*	*W / L*
9/5	at Wisconsin	L
9/12	Western Illinois	W
9/19	at Purdue	L
9/26	Idaho	W
10/3	Western Michigan	L
10/17	at Toledo	L
10/24	at Miami	L
10/31	Akron	W
11/5	Eastern Michigan	W
11/12	Ball State	W
11/21	at Ohio	L
11/27	at Central	L
MAC Record		3-5
Overall Record		5-7

Team Article by Evan Meyer of Sports Vault - Especially for VanDelaySports.com
Predictions, Stats, Key Game & Outlook by Nick Gerogosian of VanDelaySports.com

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