NIU hoping to rekindle the program's positive recent history
Some college football teams have a storied history.
Northern Illinois has a history of contrasting stories.
There were roughly 30 years of frequent futility in DeKalb. This stretch began when the school joined the NCAA's major college division in 1969 and lasted through the early years of the Joe Novak regime.
More recent history brought unprecedented success, as the Huskies became one of the nation's best midmajor programs, playing in the Mid-American Conference title game six years in a row.
Now there's a disappointing micro-history - two years with no MAC West division titles.
Cause for alarm? NIU was picked to win the West at this year's MAC media day, so a return to the top seems possible.
The Huskies' run of success spanned four different coaches. They've had teams built around running backs, quarterbacks and defense. So there's not necessarily a clear blueprint for how to get this done.
"It's a matter of little things, and that's how we've had success around here," head coach Rod Carey said. "It's a bunch of boring little details from coaching. It's steps, fundamentals, being smart, developing that toughness and then just kept going and being relentless."
After Novak brought the program back to life, Jerry Kill was there for three years, Dave Doeren for two and now Carey is beginning his sixth season. Novak, 73, was back at practice this week as Carey's guest.
"I brought him back for three days to do an evaluation of the program, help me," Carey said. "Joe really brought it back. Before Joe got here (in 1996) they had seven winning seasons in 33 years. Isn't that crazy? Then we go to six straight championship games.
"I think you can really point to the foundation that Joe laid and then we've all built on it from there."
In 2016, NIU finished 5-7, just the third losing record since 2000. The Huskies bounced back last season to go 8-5 and land a bowl game invite, but lost a showdown for first place in the West at Toledo 27-17.
Last season's team led the MAC in defense. Six starters return, led by NCAA sacks leader Sutton Smith. But Northern did lose four of its top six tacklers, including three starting linebackers, so the cast is changing.
"Their challenge is to get better from a year they were really good," Carey said. "We were a defensive-led football team last year, and I expect that same thing this year with an offense that can hold its own as well."
On offense, Carey is looking for improvement from the offensive line, which returns four full-time starters.
Redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcus Childers played well after stepping in for the final eight games last season. Leading rusher Jordan Huff graduated, so NIU needs to rebuild the backfield. Chicago native Marcus Jones, who ran for 350 yards last year, is the top returning running back.
"I think the running back room should be, and has the task to be, the best in the conference," Carey said. "Now will it be? They have to go prove that, but certainly have the ability with the guys in that room."
NIU's nonconference schedule is borderline insane. They'll host a Pac-12 opponent for the first time when Utah visits Sept. 8, but the slate also includes road games at Iowa, BYU and Florida State for a 2013 Orange Bowl rematch.
The primary focus, however, will be matching the program's recent success with a return to the MAC championship.
"The goal for us every year is always win the MAC," senior center Luke Shively said. "It doesn't matter how much people are talking, how much talent we think we have back, it's always, 'Win the MAC.' I think this year we have a good shot."