Health, line play among keys to Huskie title run
By EVAN MEYER
After a pair of 5-7 seasons, the Northern Illinois Huskies were one of the bigger surprises among MAC teams in 2017. With a bunch of talent coming back, NIU won’t be sneaking up on anybody this season. Indeed, Northern was a preseason MAC media pick to take the West Division.
Sophomore QB Marcus Childers and . . .
After a pair of 5-7 seasons, the Northern Illinois Huskies were one of the bigger surprises among MAC teams in 2017. With a bunch of talent coming back, NIU won’t be sneaking up on anybody this season. Indeed, Northern was a preseason MAC media pick to take the West Division.
Sophomore QB Marcus Childers and . . .
. . . DE Sutton Smith were leaders for a squad that went 7-2 last year, notching an upset win at Nebraska along the way. Both players return for a run on the title this time around.
The Huskies were undefeated in conference play when they faced Toledo on a Thursday night at the Glass Bowl. It was the kind of matchup that NIU almost routinely won as the Huskies dominated the West. However, it was Toledo’s year, and the Rockets posted a 10-point victory. Central Michigan later downed Northern 31-24.
Injuries can be a huge factor, of course, and NIU certainly should know about those. However, all things being equal, head coach Rod Carey should like his team’s chances this season. Here’s more on the Huskies . . .
The Huskies were undefeated in conference play when they faced Toledo on a Thursday night at the Glass Bowl. It was the kind of matchup that NIU almost routinely won as the Huskies dominated the West. However, it was Toledo’s year, and the Rockets posted a 10-point victory. Central Michigan later downed Northern 31-24.
Injuries can be a huge factor, of course, and NIU certainly should know about those. However, all things being equal, head coach Rod Carey should like his team’s chances this season. Here’s more on the Huskies . . .
NORTHERN ILLINOIS 2017 RECORD: 8-5 (6-2 in MAC play).
Lost to Duke in the Quick Lane Bowl 36-14
2018 PRESEASON POLL: First in the Western Division
HEAD COACH: Ron Carey – sixth season (44-14 overall all at NIU)
OFFENSE:
➤ The Huskies will again use their multiple offense with Marcus Childers under center. The MAC Freshman of the Year was a dual threat -- both running and passing the football. The Georgia native completed almost 58 percent of his passes in 2017, good for 1,674 yards with 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions.
In addition, he rushed for 473 yards and five scores. Many believe he is similar to Ohio signal caller Nathan Rourke, as he can both run and throw well. If the media poll is accurate, they could be facing each other in the MAC title game.
➤ Of course, to some extent quarterback play has been a blessing and a curse for NIU. The Huskies have thrived to great heights with quarterbacks who are dual threats. Recently, injuries have ravaged the position. Such was the case last year, but it gave Childers experience as a freshman.
➤ “We hit some tough times with quarterbacks and health ovre the last couple years,” Carey said. “When the head of the snake isn’t there, its tough to wiggle around. “I think Marcus probably played before he should have last year, but he had to because of certain situations. … I thought he played well.”
➤ The rest of the offense under offensive coordinator Mike Uremovich will be a work in progress, but with significant experience on hand. Including Childers, NIU returns eight starters on offense.
➤ Northern’s run game is always a key part of the Huskies attack. In spite of some key injuries, Northern averaged 177.8 ypg on the ground. That was good for fourth among MAC teams. Jordan Huff is gone after leading NIU with 127 carries for 750 yards and four TDs. Childers was second, 143 trips for 423 yards and five scores, despite seeing very limited duty early in the campaign.
Chicago native Marcus Jones, who was third among Huskie rushers with 350 yards on 78 carries. He provided three touchdowns and also caught 12 passes coming out of the backfield. Sophomore Tre Harrison should also see considerable playing time this season after he averaged 5.3 yards per carry and scored three touchdowns a season ago.
➤ Senior Marcus Tears (43 catches for 528 yards and four touchdowns) and fifth-year senior Jajuan Wesley (10 catches 250 yards and a pair of scores) figure at the wide receiver position, while junior Mitchell Brinkman (four receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns) is a tight end target.
Max Sharping ➤ Northern’s O-line is a definite strength, with all five starters coming back. One big cog up front is fifth-year senior tackle Max Scharping. An Outland Trophy Watch List member, Scharping, has started all 39 games of his Huskie career. The only freshman to start all 14 games for NIU in 2015, Scharping played right tackle, even spending time at right guard, the first two years of his Huskie career, before moving to left tackle last season. He allowed just six pressures on the quarterback in over 450 pass snaps a season ago while earning All-MAC honors.
“He worked his rear off … and now he is one of the best linemen in the country,” Carey said.
Senior center Luke Shively is a mainstay at center, having started there since 2015. He is on the Remington Trophy Watch List.
Other Huskies in the O-line trenches include Luke Steckler and Nathan Veloz. They started 12 games for NIU at left and right guard, respectively. However, in the bowl game, Veloz flipped to left guard, while Steckler started at right tackle. That’s where he has been repping during camp, with Veloz back at right guard. Junior Jordan Strecker could hold down tackle over on the right side.
“Probably for the first time in my time at NIU (the offensive line) wasn’t good enough. ” Carey said at Chicago Media Day. “We’ve got everybody back, and I think they realized that, too, and are working to correct it. I saw a lot of progress this spring, and I know they’ve kept it going in the summer.”
“He worked his rear off … and now he is one of the best linemen in the country,” Carey said.
Senior center Luke Shively is a mainstay at center, having started there since 2015. He is on the Remington Trophy Watch List.
Other Huskies in the O-line trenches include Luke Steckler and Nathan Veloz. They started 12 games for NIU at left and right guard, respectively. However, in the bowl game, Veloz flipped to left guard, while Steckler started at right tackle. That’s where he has been repping during camp, with Veloz back at right guard. Junior Jordan Strecker could hold down tackle over on the right side.
“Probably for the first time in my time at NIU (the offensive line) wasn’t good enough. ” Carey said at Chicago Media Day. “We’ve got everybody back, and I think they realized that, too, and are working to correct it. I saw a lot of progress this spring, and I know they’ve kept it going in the summer.”
Sutton Smith DEFENSE:
➤ Northern Illinois topped the MAC in scoring defense last season, surrendering just 22.0 ppg. It was also first in total defense (338.5 ppg).
➤ Defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles’ 4-3 defense returns just six starters. From a 2017 unit that registered 114 tackles for losses to lead the Football Bowl Subdivision and Northern’s 29 sacks were second to Miami (FLA)
➤ The D-line is led by Sutton Smith, 2017 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He had 63 total tackles a season ago, but that number included 16 sacks and an FBS-high 29.5 tackles for losses a season ago. Smith was a consensus All-American last year, appearing on 11 All-American teams.
➤ Up front with Smith will be senior DE Josh Corcoran, fifth year senior DT Drequan Brown (three tackles for losses and to sacks), and junior DT Ben Leroy (37 total tackles and three sacks). However, Carey again expects to employ a number of players during the game. “If you’re fresh, you’re going to be good,” he said.
➤ With the graduation of Bobby Jones, and Jawuan Johnson’s graduate transfer to TCU, Northern is young at the linebacker level. Johnson grabbed five interceptions and totaled 98 tackles in 2017. How quickly that unit can jell will say a lot about this year’s defensive prowess, but the Huskies have kept the defensive bar high over the years
➤ Look for Sophomore Antonio-Jones Davis (45 total tackles and a sack) and junior Lance Deveux Jr to patrol the outside, while the middle will be headed up by junior Kyle Pugh.
➤ The Huskies were third among MAC teams in pass defense efficiency and seventh in pass defense (218.5 ypg). However, some newcomers will need to step up for NIU to maintain a solid secondary. Shawun Lurry’s outstanding collegiate career has come to an end, and his production will be missed.
➤ Junior safety Mykleti Williams had a nice 2017, registering 73 tackles (59 solo) with six pass breakups and an interception. The rest of the defensive backfield includes fifth-year senior CB Aaron Smalls (44 total tackles – 39 solo), fellow fifth-year senior CB Jalen Embry (33 total tackles and three pass breakups), and junior safety Treshon Foster (23 tackles, two sacks, and an interception)
➤ Northern Illinois topped the MAC in scoring defense last season, surrendering just 22.0 ppg. It was also first in total defense (338.5 ppg).
➤ Defensive coordinator Jeff Knowles’ 4-3 defense returns just six starters. From a 2017 unit that registered 114 tackles for losses to lead the Football Bowl Subdivision and Northern’s 29 sacks were second to Miami (FLA)
➤ The D-line is led by Sutton Smith, 2017 MAC Defensive Player of the Year. He had 63 total tackles a season ago, but that number included 16 sacks and an FBS-high 29.5 tackles for losses a season ago. Smith was a consensus All-American last year, appearing on 11 All-American teams.
➤ Up front with Smith will be senior DE Josh Corcoran, fifth year senior DT Drequan Brown (three tackles for losses and to sacks), and junior DT Ben Leroy (37 total tackles and three sacks). However, Carey again expects to employ a number of players during the game. “If you’re fresh, you’re going to be good,” he said.
➤ With the graduation of Bobby Jones, and Jawuan Johnson’s graduate transfer to TCU, Northern is young at the linebacker level. Johnson grabbed five interceptions and totaled 98 tackles in 2017. How quickly that unit can jell will say a lot about this year’s defensive prowess, but the Huskies have kept the defensive bar high over the years
➤ Look for Sophomore Antonio-Jones Davis (45 total tackles and a sack) and junior Lance Deveux Jr to patrol the outside, while the middle will be headed up by junior Kyle Pugh.
➤ The Huskies were third among MAC teams in pass defense efficiency and seventh in pass defense (218.5 ypg). However, some newcomers will need to step up for NIU to maintain a solid secondary. Shawun Lurry’s outstanding collegiate career has come to an end, and his production will be missed.
➤ Junior safety Mykleti Williams had a nice 2017, registering 73 tackles (59 solo) with six pass breakups and an interception. The rest of the defensive backfield includes fifth-year senior CB Aaron Smalls (44 total tackles – 39 solo), fellow fifth-year senior CB Jalen Embry (33 total tackles and three pass breakups), and junior safety Treshon Foster (23 tackles, two sacks, and an interception)
SPECIAL TEAMS:
➤ The Huskies kicking game brings back punter Matt Ference who averaged 41.2 yards per kick a season ago, with 28 of his kicks landing inside the opposition’s 20-yard line. Place kicker Christian Hagan is gone, but Andrew Gantz, a transfer from Cincinnati, could step into that spot.
MISC:
➤ The Huskies will surprise no one in 2018. They are the favorites to win the Western Division and return to Detroit and the Marathon MAC Championship Game.
“We like it better when we’re (in Detroit) for the championship game, said Carey, whose team last played against Duke (31-14 loss) in the Quick Lane Bowl last December at Ford Field.
➤ Northern opens 2018 with one of the most challenging non-conference schedules in school history. Iowa hosts the Huskies Sept. 1, before two straight home games in DeKalb -- the first against Utah, followed by an early MAC opener against Central Michigan.
Florida State hosts NIU the following week. It’s the first meeting between the two schools since the 2014 Orange Bowl. That FSU game starts a three-game road stretch at Eastern Michigan and Ball State before Northern faces East Division favorite Ohio at home.
The season ends with Toledo and Miami coming to DeKalb while the Huskies head to Akron and Western Michigan.
NIU should have the defense to play with anybody. The big question is can the Huskies offense and Childers be as productive as last year. Finding receivers to compliment the run game is another challenge.
➤ The Huskies kicking game brings back punter Matt Ference who averaged 41.2 yards per kick a season ago, with 28 of his kicks landing inside the opposition’s 20-yard line. Place kicker Christian Hagan is gone, but Andrew Gantz, a transfer from Cincinnati, could step into that spot.
MISC:
➤ The Huskies will surprise no one in 2018. They are the favorites to win the Western Division and return to Detroit and the Marathon MAC Championship Game.
“We like it better when we’re (in Detroit) for the championship game, said Carey, whose team last played against Duke (31-14 loss) in the Quick Lane Bowl last December at Ford Field.
➤ Northern opens 2018 with one of the most challenging non-conference schedules in school history. Iowa hosts the Huskies Sept. 1, before two straight home games in DeKalb -- the first against Utah, followed by an early MAC opener against Central Michigan.
Florida State hosts NIU the following week. It’s the first meeting between the two schools since the 2014 Orange Bowl. That FSU game starts a three-game road stretch at Eastern Michigan and Ball State before Northern faces East Division favorite Ohio at home.
The season ends with Toledo and Miami coming to DeKalb while the Huskies head to Akron and Western Michigan.
NIU should have the defense to play with anybody. The big question is can the Huskies offense and Childers be as productive as last year. Finding receivers to compliment the run game is another challenge.
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