Northern Ill Huskies

Head Coach

Jerry Kill	1st year
07-08	2-10
MAC	1-6
FCR	110

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Jerry Kill takes over a Northern Illinois team that managed but two wins last season as the team was hit hard by injuries. This is a team and program that has the talent to bounce back very quickly, with 18 starters returning it will happen quickly.

Quarterback - Dan Nicholson returns at quarterback, the senior threw for just 1,633 yards but had 14 interceptions and only 9 TD’s last year. Redshirt freshman Chandler Harnish looked good this spring and might be the starter come opening day, he showed maturity and is a better runner than Nicholson.

Running Backs - At tailback junior Justin Anderson was outstanding last year rushing for 1,245 yards , catching 45 passes and scoring 11 times. He is a true workhorse with the speed to the get outside but he also is willing to run between the tackles, look for Anderson to be in the running for All-MAC honors. Sophomore Chad Spann is a speed back and he’ll get the opportunity to show his skills, in senior Montell Clanton NIU has a proven backup.

Receivers - This is a solid unit led by a pair of seniors, Britt Davis and Matt Simon. Simon had 52 receptions for 969 yards and will be on the outside at the Z slot, Davis will be inside at the Z where he’s a reliable target. Senior Greg Turner will be at the V when they go to the three wide and at tight end will be junior Reed Cunningham who is an excellent blocker but has the hands to help the passing attack.

Offensive Line - Four starters return led by right tackle Jon Brost, the senior has 35 career starts and he has always been an outstanding run blocker but has improved greatly in his pass blocking, he’ll be in the hunt for All-MAC honors. Also returning upfront is senior left guard Kevin Skatrud, and a pair of juniors in center Eddie Adamski and at right guard Jason Onyebuagu. A pair of redshirt freshman are locked in a battle for the left tackle spot, Trevor Olson and Adam Kiel.

Defensive Line - In defensive end Larry English the Huskies have the premier defensive player in the conference, the senior had 67 tackles and 10 ½ sacks last season. Starting on the other end will be junior Brandon Bice, solid against the run he’ll have the chance to get to the quarterback with all the attention that English gets. Starting on the inside at the tackle spots will be pair of seniors, Craig Rusch and Alex Krutsch, Rusch both will get into the backfield but need to be better against the run.

Linebackers - With the return senior Tim McCarthy and the move of sophomore Alex Kube from strong safety to strongside linebacker the Huskies are deep at linebacker. McCarthy missed much of last season but was the teams leading tackler in 06’ and Kube led the team last season with 111 tackles. Junior John Tranchitella will return on the weakside and senior Josh Allen, who started last year, will provide depth.

Defensive Backs - Northern is set at the corners with a trio of seniors Melvin Rice and Chase Carter will start and Bradley Pruitt will provide depth. Carter is the better cover man and had two picks last season, Rice is solid against the run and Pruitt is an outstanding athlete who’ll be on the field in some capacity. They’ll be two new safeties, at strong safety will be sophomore Mike Sobol and at free safety sophomore Justin Stewart.

Special Teams - Handling the placekicking will be junior Mike Salerno and at punter senior Andy Dittbenner returns, Dittbenner has improved each year and averaged 43.5 yards and was excellent at putting the ball inside the 20. The return game is in good hands with seniors Matt Simon, Greg Turner and Marcus Perez.

Schedule - They open at Minnesota, a win there and the Jerry Kill era would get off to a great start. Four of the first five games are on the road including a trip to Tennessee, if they can win three of them they’ll be looking at a winning season. This will be the most improved team in the MAC look for 6 wins this season.