Football preview: NIU at Western Michigan
Northern Illinois (6-2, 4-0) at Western Michigan (3-4, 2-1)
When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Waldo Stadium
TV: WPWR Ch. 50; Web: ESPN3.com; Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Series: WMU leads 23-12
Coaches: Jerry Kill (19-15, third year at NIU; 123-72 in 17th year overall); Bill Cubit (37-31, sixth year at WMU)
NIU players to watch: During NIU's five-game winning streak, the Huskies have outscored their opponents by an average of 38.6-15. No game has been closer than 11 points. Clearly it's a team-wide spree, but RB Chad Spann (854 yards, 11 TDs) and QB Chandler Harnish (1,225 passing yards, 526 rushing yards, 13 TDs) lead the MAC in their specialties. Actually, so does K Michael Cklamovski with 1.5 field goals per game. NIU also welcomes back S Tracy Wilson, the team's best defender who has missed the entire winning streak with a groin injury.
Western Michigan players to watch: WMU sophomore QB Alex Carder leads the MAC and ranks 13th nationally with 298.7 total yards per game. He threw for 372 yards and 5 TDs last week against Akron in just 24 attempts. WRs Jordan White (50 catches, 758 yards, 5 TDs) and Juan Nunez (51 catches, 591 yards, 5 TDs) combined for all 5 TD catches last week. Montini grad Dex Jones continues to lead the Broncos in tackles for loss (9) and ranks second in sacks (4).
The skinny: Northern Illinois leads the MAC in rushing yards and total yards. Western Michigan leads the MAC in passing yards and points. Which offensive juggernaut will emerge triumphant in one of the last games relevant to the MAC West race? Considering the Huskies have intercepted 8 passes in MAC action and rank among the nation's best in turnover margin, they seem better-prepared for this battle. Did we mention NIU leads the MAC in scoring defense (18.4 ppg)?
He said it: Left tackle Trevor Olson on the team's growing following: “There's definitely been a buzz around campus. We have a blackout scheduled for Toledo (on Nov. 9), and that's through the ticket office. People have been showing up and there's a lot of support from everybody around campus and the city. Everybody is saying, ‘Good job,' whenever we're out.”