2022 Record: 3-9, 2-6 MAC
2023 MAC Head Coaches Poll: Third in MAC West
Occasionally, after a flurry of unfortunate events, people have been known to wonder aloud: "What just happened?"
That might be how Northern Illinois football felt after the 2022 season. The Huskies were MAC champs in 2021, but slumped to just two MAC wins (and three total victories) in 2022. Then there was the 44-12 season finale home loss to Akron. It was the Zips only conference win. It was also the kind of loss that could add fire to NIU's offseason efforts.
Injuries were part of the problem last year, but three one-score losses stood in stark contrast to the numerous close victories NIU's 2021 squad pulled out. With an abundance of talent returning, mounting a run on another MAC West title is more realistic than last year's record might suggest.
>> Quarterback Rocky Lombardi was a key component in NIU's 2021 title run. He appeared in all 13 games that season, completing 58.1 percent of his passes, good for a total of 2,416 yards, 13 TD and eight interceptions. He also averaged 4.7 yards rushing, logging 86 carries for a total of 406 yards and eight more scores.
Last year was a different story as the former Michigan State QB appeared in just four Huskie contests before injury cut his season short. His dual threat skills, leadership and experience is a package that is a perfect fit for NIU's offense.
>> Lest injury strike again, the Huskies have developed enough depth for an impressive quarterback room. Ethan Hampton (R-So) and Nevan Cremaskoli both saw action last year. The former completed 59 percent of his 122 pass attempts, good for 798 yards with seven TDs and six interceptions. Cremascoli, a redshirt freshman, started the final three games. Overall, he completed 48 percent of his pass attempts, contributing 600 yards and five TDs with seven picks.
>> "Obviously, the injury (to Lombardi) hurt us last year (and) he knew early that he wanted to come back," Head Coach Thomas Hammock said at MAC Media Day. "For us, it was about getting him healthy, getting him in the right mindset and getting enough weapons around him. ... I think he is really excited about the guys that we have."
>> Standout receiver Cole Tucker, who led Northern Illinois in catches (45) and receiving yards (632) is gone, but junior Trayvon Rudoph should be back after missing 2022. He led the Huskies with 51 catches for 892 yards and seven scores in 2021. Senior Kacper Rutliewicz, who tallied a team-high six receiving TDs last year, also returns. "Those two guys give us a quality duo at the wide receiver position," Hammock said.
>> Miles Joiner is among a group of possible fits at tight end. "We added some dynamic tight ends," Hammock said, adding that the Huskies are a "tight end-driven offense."
>> There is experience across the front, and the Huskies can be dominant when the O-line is meshing. Last year's relatively young unit it back -- with a mission.
>> Junior Antario Brown (5-10, 219) was second among Huskie running backs last year, picking up 689 yards on 110 carries. He averaged 6.3 ypc and recorded a team-high seven touchdowns, with a long of 86 yards. Gavin Williams saw action at Iowa in 2022.
""You've got two guys that are capable of being 1,000-yard rushers," Hammock said. "When you've got that type of tandem, we can lean on those guys (and) if we happen to get a lead, we can certainly milk the clock if we need to."
>> The 2022 Huskies ranked 10th in scoring defense (33.7 ppg), 10th in total defense (452.7 ypg), 11th in rushing defense (214.4 ypg) and eighth in pass defense (283.3 ypg). They were 10th in pass defense efficiency.
>> Seven starters return on the defensive side. Tackles Devonte O'Malley (5 sacks) and James Ester earned All-MAC honors last year and anchor what should be an area or talent and depth. "Our defensive front is going to be extremely strong and keep offensive linemen off our linebackers to allow those guys to play," Hammock said.
>> Sophomore linebackers Devin Lafayette (6-2, 197) and junior Daveren Rayner return. The latter finished second on the team with 71 hits (30 solo and 3.5 sacks). NIU will try to develop some depth around that core.
>> Senior safety C.J. Brown led the team in tackles (78) last year. He and junior corner JaVaughn Byrd are returning starters who will anchor the secondary.
Punter Tom Foley (40.8 yards per boot) is back, while Jr. Tom Foley is a possible replacement for John Richardson, who hit 18-of-23 field goals, with a long of 53 last year.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Hammock assures his Huskies are hungry.
"A lot of guys from that (2021) championship team are back. ... Those guys understand what it takes, and they have leadership qualities to bring the young guys along."
A healthy Lombardi bodes well for the NIU. He has that talent-leadership-experience blend that brings out the best in those around him. Teammates and staff know they can win with him at the helm, because they already have!
There is plenty of experience upfront. If NIU can fill in some receiving and rushing roles, the offense could be in business for a very productive offensive year. There is plenty of experience on defense, as well, but there is also a need for significant improvement.
Finding a productive kicker would also help for those close games that Northern Illinois wants to win this time around.