College Sports

NIU looking for revenge against W. Michigan

Posted October 01, 2009 11:00 pm

By Lindsey Willhite

Western Michigan (2-2, 1-0) at Northern Illinois (2-2, 0-0)

When: 2:30 p.m. at Huskie Stadium

TV: CSN; Radio: WSCR 670-AM

Series: Western Michigan leads 23-11

Coaches: Bill Cubit (31-22, fifth year at WMU, 65-40-1 in 10th year overall); Jerry Kill (8-9, second year at NIU; 112-66 in 16th year overall)

Players to watch: Western Michigan senior QB Tim Hiller beat NIU each of the last two years. He threw for 226 yards and a TD in 2007 at DeKalb, then fired for 186 yards and 3 TDs last year in a 29-26 win at Kalamazoo. Senior RB/KR Brandon West is the MAC's all-time leader in all-purpose yards (6,207) and kick-return yards (2,549), but he also piled up 250 rushing yards and 3 TDs in the last two weeks. Senior DT Cody Cielenski, a Downers Grove North graduate, posted 3 sacks against Miami Ohio. Senior TE Matt Stevens (Wheaton Warrenville South) caught his fourth career TD pass last week.

Sophomore RB Me'co Brown managed just 46 yards last week against Idaho, but he remains the MAC's No. 2 rusher (94.3 ypg). QB Chandler Harnish enjoyed his best statistical effort last week with 246 total yards, 2 passing touchdowns and no interceptions. That pushed Harnish to No.2 on the MAC's pass efficiency list (147.4 rating). Senior safety David Bryant, a preseason all-MAC pick, continues to nurse his ankle back to health. He had a season-high 4 tackles last week.

Outlook: Though this serves as the Mid-American Conference opener for the Huskies, it doubles as Homecoming 2009 in DeKalb. NIU has dropped the last three games between these teams, but by a combined 9 points. Huskies coach Jerry Kill spent some of this week discussing how you need to be able to run and to stop the run in order to win. Considering NIU leads the MAC in rushing and Western Michigan ranks No. 11 - while the Huskies and Broncos rank 3-4 in rushing defense - it sounds like NIU should be a step ahead in this game. On the other hand, the Huskies have struggled against the pass and Hiller ranks among the MAC's all-time signalcallers.

Purdue's Chris Carlino stops Northern Illinois quarterback Chandler Harnish earlier this season. Northern Illinois, which beat Purdue, hosts Western Michigan for its homecoming game on Saturday. Associated Press

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