OUCH!: Northern Illinois has been bit by the injury bug in 2007 as nine starters (or replacement starters) are now slated to miss at least one full game due to injury this season. In addition, 16 different players listed on the depth chart at some point this year have missed at least one game due to injury, while 14 of those injuries will result in multiple games missed. Four players - NG Adam Schroeder (shoulder surgery) and TB Montell Clanton, DT Craig Rusch and DE Anthony Antonacci (all rt. knees) - have been lost for the season. In addition, LB Tim McCarthy (rt. knee) will miss significant time and possibly the season. DT Mike Krause, FS Spencer Williamson and DT Zach Holycross each have already missed three of NIU's four games.
D-LINE D-MOLISHED: The Huskies have been especially hard-hit by injuries on the defensive line. Seven players listed on the NIU depth chart at the start of the season (Rusch, Antonacci, Schroeder, Holycross, Mike Krause, Brandon Bice and Jake Coffman) are now expected to be out for at least one game. The injuries have forced Huskie coaches to make several line-up adjustments, including the move of Dan Keller from offensive to defensive line. Last week, true freshmen John Hopkins and D.J. Pirkle saw their first collegiate action and this week, Ron Newcomb appears on the two-deep. Ed Jackson, a redshirt freshmen, made his first career start at tackle at Idaho; if Krause returns this week, he could be the one making his first start on the defensive line.
From the Chronicle:
The injury bug remained a big topic of discussion surrounding NIU's football team. Wide receiver Matt Simon, right guard Jason Onyebuagu, Brandon Bice and Jake Coffman all suffered injuries at Idaho. Bice and Coffman both had leg injuries and aren't expected to play at Central Michigan. Simon and Onyebuagu will be game-time decisions.
“We got on the bus pretty banged up after Saturday's game and I think we have been hit more at specific positions than I have ever seen,” Novak said. “We are beat up, but then again so is everybody else. We will get through it.”
In other news, Alex Kube takes over Mark Reiter for the SS spot. GOOD CHOICE!!!
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