QB Harnish fitting nicely with NIU's spread offense

DEKALB -- Chandler Harnish can't help himself.

The redshirt freshman quarterback from Bluffton, Ind., flashes forward to Northern Illinois' opener on Aug. 30 at Minnesota and daydreams about his name coming out of the loudspeakers, along with the other offensive starters.

"I think about it a lot," Harnish said with a smile. "Probably every day."

Harnish and the Huskies, can take a step toward their dreams today when NIU caps Jerry Kill's first spring as head coach with a 1 p.m. scrimmage at Huskie Stadium.

Harnish, whose running ability and previous experience with the spread fits NIU's new offensive style nicely, has been running the first string for much of spring ball. Harnish also knows that doesn't mean a lot.

Junior Ryan Morris, who started three games last fall, has received just as many reps this spring.

Then, there's senior Dan Nicholson, who started nine games last year but is one of many 2007 starters sidelined for spring.

During last Friday's scrimmage, for example, Nicholson joined MAC player of the year Larry English, cornerback Melvin Rice, running back Montell Clanton, tight end David Koronkiewicz, defensive tackle Craig Rusch and wide receivers Britt Davis and Matt Simon on the sidelines for fierce rehab workouts.

Most, if not all, of those returning starters won't take part in today's 60- to 90-play scrimmage.

Kube moves up: Cary-Grove's Alex Kube couldn't have done much more during his redshirt freshman season.

The Huskies' starting strong safety led the squad in tackles with 111 -- second best among all freshmen in the Bowl Subdivision -- and earned national all-freshman honors from the Football Writers Association.

So what's up with Kube this spring? He's moving away from strong safety and shifting to strong-side linebacker.

Kube, who entered NIU at 187 pounds, has bulked up to 220 and hopes to get to 230-235 by the time he finishes his eligibility in order to make a run at the NFL.

"My ambition is to play at the next level," he said. "I agree with this move."

So does coach Jerry Kill, who upgrades the defense's overall quickness by moving Kube.

"You've got to be able to run," Kill said. "That's what he does give you -- the speed."

"It's still foreign to me, but I'm learning," Kube said.

Novak's back: Northern Illinois will honor Joe Novak all weekend as part of the spring scrimmage festivities.

Almost all of the players who went from Novak's teams to the NFL have returned to DeKalb to celebrate his 12-year reign at NIU. They'll all be at the spring game today, then participate in the sold-out "A Night with Champions" at the Holmes Student Center.

NIU spring football

These events will take place today at Huskie Stadium:

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: HASF Tailgate Showdown, west of the stadium.

1 p.m.: Scrimmage that will last 60-90 minutes.

6:30 p.m.: "A Night with Champions" at Holmes Student Center, honoring Joe Novak.