Monday, January 21, 2008

No Super Bowl Ring for an NIU Alum This Year


Michael Turner against the Pats
(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Disappointingly, there aren't going to be any Huskies in the Super Bowl this year. Last year, Ryan Diem got a ring playing RT for the Indianapolis Colts. The previous former NIU player to win a SB Ring before Diem was Safety Clarence Vaughn in '88 and '92 for the Redskins.

Obviously, the San Diego Chargers beat Indy in the Divisional Playoffs. Former Huskie great Michael Turner stepped up and rushed for 71 yds on 17 carries against the Colts. Unfortunately, Turner had trouble putting the ball in the endzone as LT usually efficiently does in both games. Unfortunately Tomlinson got hurt and Phillip Rivers had to carry the team the rest of the way.

Against the Patriots, Turner only went for 65 yds on 17 attempts and no touchdowns. You have to wonder what would have happened with LT still playing. Turner just wasn't as effective as LT would have been out of the backfield or even throwing the ball as LT does sometimes.

As for other Huskie alums fared in the playoffs, backup Tackle Doug Free and TO's backup WR Sam Hurd got upset at home against the now Super Bowl-bound NY Giants in the Divisional Playoffs. Both players received minimal playing time.

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