OVERVIEW:
Coming off a winless 2020 season, the Northern Illinois Huskies no doubt surprised a bunch of people by winning the 2021 MAC title. Suffice it to say, they won’t be sneaking up on anybody this time around. If anything, the Huskies remain equipped for success. That was recognized by MAC media members, who picked Northern Illinois to win it all again in 2022.
MAC titles in recent years have correlated strongly with winning close games, and NIU was the king of close victories in 2021. All but one of the Huskies Mid-American Conference results last year were within an eight-point spread. The lone exception was a 42-21 loss to Western Michigan in a regular season finale that had no bearing on the MAC West race.
“We (knew) we were going to play in a lot of one-possession football games,” head coach Thomas Hammock said. “That was something we prepared for … and then that started to materialize in the first game of the season - (a 22-21 upset over Georgia Tech).
“I feel our players gained confidence in that. … It carried over for the rest of the season. … I think we developed an edge … that we were going to finish.”
► While there were many parts to NIU improvement last year, one of the biggest was the addition of quarterback Rocky Lombardi. Previously a three-year letterwinner at Michigan State, Lombardi brought both talent and valuable experience to the Huskies. He was especially effective in the clutch, directing NIU to eight “late” scoring drives with less than a minute to go at the end of a game or half.
- Overall, the then-junior completed 58.3 percent of his passes, good for 2,597 yards and 15 TDs with eight interceptions. He also ran 94 times, adding another 472 yards and nine scores.
► Hammock knows the value of good line play and has built Northern Illinois “from the inside out.” Four of five starters return along the offensive line, leaving the former Huskie running back confident about NIU’s ability to field a balanced offense.
“Our offensive line is going to give Rocky the protection to deliver the ball to our playmakers,” Hammock said. “We have a lot of playmakers.”
► Sophomore Trayvon Rudolph (Second Team All-MAC) returns after recording a team-high 51 catches for 892 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior Cole Tucker and sophomore Mohamed Toure are also back.
► Northern Illinois ranked second among all MAC teams in rushing offense (241.4 ypg). Jay Ducker -- MAC Freshman of the Year -- was a key contributor (98.7 ypg), but he has transferred to Memphis. Fullback Clint Ratkovich, who hammered his way to 461 yards and 13 TDs in 2021 is also gone. Stepping up will be Harrison Waylee and Antario Brown. They combined for 182 carries, 1,112 yards and nine TDs last season.
► There is room for improvement on defense as Northern Illinois finished 10th (MAC - all games) in scoring (33.7 ppg), 10th in total defense (452.7 ypg), 11th in run defense (214.4 ypg) and eighth in pass defense (238.3 ypg). The Huskies were 10th in pass defense efficiency.
► “Last year we had 77 freshmen and redshirt freshmen,” Hammock noted. “Now we are a more mature team. … “We know that if we can play better on defense, we have a chance to be a better football team.”
► Although NIU is still young on the defensive side, eleven starters return and the coaching staff has emphasized strength and physicality.
► Sophomore safety C.J. Brown earned First Team All-MAC honors last year. He will be joined by Jordan Gandy (Third Team All-MAC), JaVaughn Byrd and redshirt freshman Davin Lafayette. The latter started the season at safety but suffered a season-ending injury in the opening win at Georgia Tech.
► Senior Kyle Pugh and sophomore Nick Rattin anchor the linebacking group, while James Ester picked up Third Team All-MAC accolades and anchors the Huskies D-line. Starters Raishein Thomas (So.) Demond Taylor Jr. (So.) and Devonte O’Malley (So.) are also back.
► Success in close games often correlates with good special teams play. Junior kicker John Richardson was perfect (42-of-42) on PATs in 2021 and nailed 22-of-27 field goal attempts, with a long of 47. In fact, he was 6-of-7 from 40-47 yards. Punter Matt Ference is gone, with former Minnesota Golden Gopher Tom Foley likely to handle those duties this season. Rudolph garnered Second Team All-MAC honors as a kick returner.
MISC:
► There are some favorable matchups and/or locations for the Huskies this year. Their crossover games are against Akron, Miami and Ohio. Although the RedHawks were preseason media favorites in the East, NIU hosts Miami in Dekalb (Nov. 16). Likewise, the Huskies are at home against a dangerous Toledo squad.
► Northern Illinois gets an early start, opening the campaign Thursday, Sept. 1 when it entertains Eastern Illinois. After visiting Tulsa, NIU gets Vanderbilt at Huskie Stadium. The final non-conference contest is at (No. 20) Kentucky.
► Northern Illinois was second among MAC teams (all games) in time of possession (33.30).
► The Huskies were minus-seven on turnovers last year.
► Northern Illinois was penalized an average of 40.3 ypg in MAC competition last year. Only Eastern Michigan (33.0 ypg) had a better mark.
It’s hard to overestimate Lombardi’s value in NIU’s close game success last year. As long as their offensive line can remain productive and protect the QB, the Huskies should be fine with some new faces in the starting lineup.
While the defense returns starters almost across the board, it needs to improve on some of its numbers from last year.
Hammock’s playing days were marked by Huskie success and the annual expectation of more. Now that Northern Illinois has reached the top spot, there is a renewal of such expectations.
“These guys are hungry with a tremendous chip on their shoulders to continue to improve,” Hammock said. “They’ve continued to build that edge. It’s been fun to see.”