Thursday, July 31, 2008

Our Recruiting Budget + Chicago Media Day

EMU leads the MAC with a $611,412 budget. Really? NIU is 2nd from last with a $254,495 budget.

#1 overall is the team we play October 4th in Tennessee spending $2,005,700 last year. Here's the rest of that list.

Insanity.


Chicago Media Day:

Interesting quote by Jerry Kill (HuskiePride.com)

“I believe to compete in the MAC conference, you’ve got to be able to run,” Kill said. “I felt like taking the job, we’re going to build this thing on speed. A good friend of mine is Gary Patterson, the head coach at TCU. That’s what we did at Southern, we tried to be built like TCU. I like running.”

Well that would be a good idea, since TCU destroyed us in the 2006 Pointsettia Bowl 37-7. Don't ask QB Ryan Morris about that game. Kill also beat us LY as head coach of the SIU Salukis. Learn from your mistakes, I guess...lol

Need for speed

With speed in mind, NIU tailback Justin Anderson has dropped 12 pounds. “I want him lean and I want him to be able to run.”

Good. Exactly what Justin Anderson needs to do. Kill has been saying that he's been in a lot better shape lately than he was last year.

Bulletin board material - AD Jeff Compher getting feisty (niuhuskies.com)

"I am kind of calling the (Mid-American Conference) preseason poll the `no love poll,' because so far not many people are giving us a lot of respect in the conference with where we're going to finish. But don't I think we're a last place team. I don't think we have the kind of people around our program that are used to being in last place. So I'm anxious to get out on the field and prove the prognosticators wrong."


I thought that was a Kill quote first looking at it. Wow.

Kill's country side comes out

"We're going to take one day at a time. Old Willie Nelson had a song, 'Take One Day at a Time,' and I believe that.

Practice picks up Monday, Aug 5th

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

2008 MAC Unit Rankings - The QBs

Only 4 of these players will be graduating. If nobody goes to the pros early, next year could be insanely good for QBs in the MAC. 2 (maybe even 3) of these players will end up being darkhorses in the Heisman race this year.

1. Central Michigan


#13 JR Dan LeFevour - #2 in Completion Pct: 65.4, #3 in Passing Efficiency: 135.69, #2 in Passing YPG: 260.9, #1 in Rushing YPG: 80.14

What sets Dan apart from everybody else in the MAC is his ability to both pass and take off on his feet for the 1st down. The mid-major Tim Tebow is a dark-horse candidate for the Heisman and has his own billboard in downtown Detroit. 3,000+ passing yds and 1,000+ rushing yds LY. Who was the last to do that? Vince Young.

2. Ball St


#13 JR Nate Davis - #8 in Completion Pct: 56.5, #1 in Passing Efficiency: 139.13, #1 in Passing YPG: 282.1, #4 in Rushing YPG: 18.08

Nate throws the ball all over the field while still maintaining the #1 ranking as the most efficient passer in the MAC. His 30-6 TD to INT ratio is incredible. Another darkhorse Heisman candidate.

Youtubage:



3. Bowling Green


#13 JR Tyler Sheehan - #4 in Completion Pct: 63.7, #4 in Passing Efficiency: 132.59, #4 in Passing YPG: 251.1

BGSU will be a huge passing team with Sheehan spreading the ball out to many receivers. This year could be special now with the recent news of former QB/RB for the Falcons Anthony Turner changing his position now to WR and every other starting WR returning.

4. Buffalo


#16 SR Drew Willy - #1 in Completion Pct: 68.4, #2 in Passing Efficiency: 135.69, #6 in Passing YPG: 214.3

Willy just is tearing up the Buffalo record book and is taking a large portion of the team on his back. He is surprisingly efficient, except 2 redshirt freshmen are the players backing him up. You have to give it up for Drew for making Buffalo relevant again. Hopefully they can develop a good QB for next year because this year is all Drew Willy.

5. Western Michigan


#3 JR Tim Hiller - #5 in Completion Pct: 63.4, #5 in Passing Efficiency: 132.25, #3 in Passing YPG: 251.8

Hiller tore up the MAC during the 2nd half of his freshman year in 2005, throwing for 1,334 yds and a 20-3 TD to INT ratio. He injured his ACL against NIU in his final game and sat out the entire 2006 season. As a Redshirt Soph last year, Hiller threw for a ton of yardage but the thing that scares me here is his 20-15 TD to INT ratio. That's a few more interceptions than he should have had. If Hiller gets hot and cuts down on the picks, then I think WMU can get past anybody in their schedule. He also has a strong backup in the speedy Sophomore Drew Burdi.

Youtubage:



6. Eastern Michigan


#7 JR Andy Schmitt - #3 in Completion Pct: 64.1, #6 in Passing Efficiency: 129.57, #11 in Passing YPG: 146.6, #3 in Rushing YPG: 25.36

Andy is a bit of a dual-threat in both running and passing, while also passing very efficiently. Schmitt is a little injury prone and backup Sophomore Kyle McMahon has some experience playing as a true frosh LY. Due to EMU's best RB graduating I think the Schmitt will pass a little bit more in their "Spread Eagle" offense. EMU fans are even bragging that their QBs are better than the ones in Ann Arbor.

7. Toledo


#19 JR Aaron Opelt - #7 in Completion Pct: 57.8, #7 in Passing Efficiency: 127.35, #7 in Passing YPG: 195.1, #5 in Rushing YPG: 17.33

Toledo has some great history of QB play and Aaron Opelt has enough experience to lead this team to some wins. This offense just went nuts last year starting mid-season and most of the games were shootouts due to Toledo's injuries in their secondary. True Soph DJ Lenehan also has some starting experience from last year. Again, health is vital to the success of this group.

8. Kent St


#1 SR Julian Edelman - #12 in Completion Pct: 51.9, #10 in Passing Efficiency: 113.13, #12 in Passing YPG: 146.4, #2 in Rushing YPG: 45.78

Edelman was really beat up last year playing through a knee injury and breaking his arm towards the end of the season. He's the type of QB that likes to run and his HC Doug Martin compares him to David Garrard. His backup Giorgio Morgan played as a True Freshman LY and is mobile like Edelman with an even stronger arm. Kent St is mainly a rushing team and this unit could be outstanding in 2008 if healthy.

Youtubage:



9. Miami OH


#12 JR Daniel Raudabaugh - #10 in Completion Pct: 54.7, #11 in Passing Efficiency: 112.26, #5 in Passing YPG: 221.0

Raudabaugh was the man in the spring, but there's also...


#13 rFR Clay Belton is might start which could spell trouble against Vanderbilt who has their entire secondary returning and @ the Big House for Michigan in their 2nd game. Belton is a lefty and also has some speed to his game. Good competition should result in 2 QBs being able to start for the Redhawks.

10. Temple


#13 SR Adam DiMichele - Last Year's Stats: 138 of 223 for 1,595 (6th if qualified) and a 61.9 Completion Pct (5th if qualified). 12-10 TD to INT ratio. He only played 8 games because he broke his tibia during the Miami game. JR Vaughn Charleton also has some experience LY starting the final 4 games. His entire offense returns and anything coming out of Temple is a positive.

Youtubage:



11. N Illinois


#19 SR Dan Nicholson - #6 in Completion Pct: 60.9, #9 in Passing Efficiency: 116.89, #8 in Passing YPG: 181.4


Dan Nicholson played most of the 2007 season hurt and had off-season shoulder surgery. He is healthy now and the starting QB spot for NIU is wide-open. The biggest contender for taking the starting spot is rFR Chandler Harnish. Another rFR DeMarcus Grady was the star of the spring game with his QB Keepers and could be a change of pace QB.

12. Akron


#11 JR Chris Jacquemain - #9 in Completion Pct: 56.0, #12 in Passing Efficiency: 111.51, #10 in Passing YPG: 147.5


Jacquemain and rFR Matt Rodgers have been going head to head all offseason which is good for both players. Akron has a history of good QBs (Frye, Getsy) and I expect a lot of improvement this upcoming season.

13. Ohio


#3 JR Theo Scott - Last Year's Stats: 63 of 109 for 743 yds and a 57.8 Completion Pct. 5-3 TD to INT ratio. Scott is a player that got in a few games last year while the starter Brad Bower was hurt. He has some speed and has the ability to win games. With Scott as the sure starter, I think that Ohio will improve their passing stats. Ohio's stud RB Calvin McRae has graduated, so I see Solich's offense being a little bit more focused on passing. This team may fall behind a lot this year, so coming-from-behind passing by Scott will be a huge factor for this Bobcat season.


Rankings from publications:

Athlon
1. Central Michigan
2. Ball St
3. Bowling Green
4. Western Michigan
5. Buffalo
6. Toledo
7. Miami OH
8. Kent St
9. Northern Illinois
10. Eastern Michigan
11. Akron
12. Ohio
13. Temple

Phil Steele
1. Central Michigan
2. Ball St
3. Western Michigan
3. Bowling Green
3. Kent St
6. Buffalo
7. Toledo
8. Miami OH
9. N Illinois
10. Eastern Michigan
10. Temple
12. Ohio
13. Akron

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

NIU picked to finish last in the MAC

I would say that this was to be expected after a 2-10 season, but come on now. I can't believe we're behind perennial last-place finisher Eastern Michigan. Does the media not give us any credit for the injuries we had last season or the fact that we return almost all of our starters from last year?

I tried to listen to the All-MACcess coverage of Media Day but it stops working every 10 mins or so. I did catch the interviews with the NIU players and was very impressed by Larry English. This being picked last is bulletin board material and this season, "The Sky is the Limit" More coverage later when all the videos are posted.

WEST DIVISION (6-5-4-3-2-1 point system)

1. Central Michigan 207

2. Ball State 168

3. Western Michigan 143

4. Toledo 98

5. Eastern Michigan 80

6. Northern Illinois 60


EAST DIVISION (7-6-5-4-3-2-1)

1. Bowling Green 206

2. Miami 202

3. Buffalo 145

4. Kent State 137

5. Temple 120

6. Ohio 119

7. Akron 78


MAC-Sports.com

Friday, July 25, 2008

Former Novak Assistants at BCS Schools

NIU had some issues with paying assistant coaches in the past, and that slowly pushed former Huskie HC Joe Novak away from the success he was having in the prime years of 2003-04 that included national rankings and bowl games.

Not is the case now with a lot more money around to spread to the assistant coaches under Coach Kill's regime to keep them intact for who knows how long.


Chris Beatty
Current Job: West Virginia Running Backs Coach
At NIU: (2007) Assistant Coach/Running Backs Coach

Levern Belin
Current Job: Virginia Defensive Line Coach/Assistant Coach
At NIU: (2004) Defensive Interior Line Coach

Steve Bernstein
Current Job: Virginia Assistant Head Coach/Secondary Coach
At NIU: (2004-05) Secondary Coach

Matt Canada
Current Job: Indiana Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach
At NIU: (1998-2000) Running Backs, (2001-02) Quarterbacks Coach, (2003) Offensive Coordinator

Harold Etheridge
Current Job: Washington State Offensive Line Coach
At NIU: (2007) Offensive Line Coach

Mark Hagen
Current Job: Purdue Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams/Defensive Tackles Coach
At NIU: (1996-99) Defensive Tackles Coach

Thomas Hammock
Current Job: Minnesota Running Backs Coach
At NIU: (2005-06) Running Backs Coach

Pat Narduzzi
Current Job: Michigan State Defensive Coordinator
At NIU: (2000-02) Linebackers Coach

Sam Pittman
Current Job: North Carolina Offensive Line Coach
At NIU: (2003-06) Assistant Head Coach/Interior Offensive Line

Dan Roushar
Current Job: Michigan State Offensive Line Coach
At NIU: (1997-2002) Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach

Scott Shafer
Current Job: Michigan Defensive Coordinator
At NIU: (1996-99) Secondary Coach, (2000-03) Defensive Coordinator & Secondary Coach


Coaches that didn't quite make the cut:

John Bond
Most Recent Job: (2007) Georgia Tech Offensive Coordinator
At NIU: (2004-06) Offensive Coordinator

Mike Mallory
Current Job: New Orleans Saints Assistant Special Teams Coach
At NIU: (1996-99) Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach

Marquis Mosley
Most Recent Job: (2006-07) Miami Wide Receivers Coach
At NIU: (2004-2005) Wide Receivers Coach

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Patton picks up 2009 commitment from big man


Photo courtesty of Julie Webb

It looks like 6'10" 220 lb center David Wink out of Sammamish High School in Bellevue, WA has verbally committed to play for the Huskies a year from now. This is a great get because quite frankly, we don't have any big men like this that are going to be sticking around for all 4 years.

Scout Profile
Rivals Profile

David Wink Talks About NIU Commitment (Scout)

His AAU team is Seattle Rotary Select. His stats from the 07-08 season playing for Sammamish, he scored 11.2 ppg, while getting 7 rpg. Overall a good get for Patton and the future of this program. He was also interested in Washington and Washington St.

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Huskies leaving all over the place

-In Huskie basketball news, would-be senior guard Jarvis Nichols has transferred to Emporia State. This concerns me a bit because we only have 13 remaining active players, only 10 of which are on scholarship. Here's a glance at the current roster we have. This the 3rd transfer of a Judson-recruited player to a D-II school. Sure shows you something about the talent we were bringing in.

Coach Patton never really liked Nichols, probably because he was more of a 1st half player. He'd make some shots and get back on the court and not play enough defense for Patton's liking. He transferred here from a JUCO, walking on and redshirted his 1st year. LY he was the guard coming off the bench if we needed some scoring.


-This guy was never actually an NIU basketball player, but non-qualifying JUCO Jerwin Callaway (or Calloway?) is going to some NAIA school to play. A shame, but Patton should have known better than to sign this kid.


Now for some football.

-Former Huskie and current Joliet JC DT Kris Cooke has signed to play with Purdue instead of NIU. Ball St offered him as well and we only gave him an opportunity to walk-on. During his time at NIU he was injury-plagued, and I'm happy he's found a D-I school to go to, even though it's not NIU. According to the Journal & Courier, it was always Cooke's dream to play for Purdue.


-Also, some NIU Dog Pound "Insiders" have reported that Freshman WR Chase Mejia and Junior U of I transfer Paul Blalock are no longer on the team. Blalock reportedly quit the team, whereas Mejia was "TOLD to leave" Take or leave the information, but these are guys I can trust unlike some other message board incidences. 7 is actually the other privileged author on this site, but he has yet to post anything.

I don't know exactly where QB turned Fullback Paul Blalock really was going to fit in to things. He sat all of last year out waiting for his opportunity this year, but Novak retired at the end of last season and I guess he didn't expect that to heppen.

WR Chase Mejia. Wow. The guy enrolled EARLY so he could play in the Spring. Who really knows what happened. He did switch high schools, but I thought that was just to play against better competition. It really sounds like Coach Kill is running a tight ship that's for sure. Mejia wasn't too impressive in the spring game, but he had some potential. We have a ton of Senior WRs this upcoming year and need to recruit a wealth of guys this off-season. EDIT: Now confirmed by the Dekalb Daily Chronicle.


-In non-NIU MAC news, (yes another message board source) Temple projected starting CB Daryl Robinson has allegedly transferred to a school in California.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Everybody's Healthy!!!

Workouts at NIU now include everybody (Daily Chronicle)

“These are the toughest (summer) workouts we've done in the past 3-4 years that we've been here,” Davis said. “It's just a lot of continuous movement.”

It's all done at the direction of Northern Illinois strength and conditioning coach Eric Klein, who has the players focused primarily on conditioning and speed drills, in addition to two hours in the weight room every other day.

Drills should adjust to more position-specific workouts as the season draws nearer, Klein said.

I'm excited Britt Davis feels that way. Anything over last year is going to be an improvement for him, just keep working on those hand drills. But the most conditioned team in 4 years? Just awesome. 4 years ago = bowl game win. 5 years ago = nationally ranked.

And now, the meat of the article:

And that other group from all the way back in spring football that consisted of 20 or so players unable to participate in full drills?

It doesn't exist anymore.

“Everybody is participating now, there's hardly any limitations on anybody,” Klein said. “They're doing a great job.”

That means that quarterback Dan Nicholson's shoulder is healthy enough for him throw regularly. Simon and Davis are catching passes. Defensive tackle Craig Rusch is working out. Linebacker Tim McCarthy is going through his routine. Running back Montell Clanton is out there. All good news for Huskies fans.

Simon and Davis both declared themselves “100 percent” and ready to go for the season.

Good! I thought these injuries would tend to linger in on to the season. It feels very reassuring that everything is going smoothly and no set-backs have happened. It was pretty nerve-racking that so many people missed spring practice.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Rivals releases Pre-season Top 30 in Illinois

Red - Interested or already committed to NIU

Rivals.com Illinois Preseason Top 30 2009 | Rivals.com Football Recruiting | last sorted on 7/10/2008

2009 RankPosHt/WtSchools
1Chris Watt
Glen Ellyn (IL) Glenbard West
OL6-3/280list

Chris Watt is the younger brother of Northwestern DL Kevin Watt.

2Kraig Appleton
East St. Louis (IL) East St. Louis
WR6-3/190list

Earned all-metro honors in 2007.

3Craig Drummond
Chicago (IL) Morgan Park
DE6-5/260list

Named as an all city, all conference and all state performer for the Mustangs and head coach Lexie Spurlock.

4Terry Hawthorne
East St. Louis (IL) East St. Louis
WR6-0/168list

Had 1,152 yards receiving as a junior.

5Patrick Ward
New Lenox (IL) Providence Catholic
OL6-6/295list

Named as an all conference and all area performer for the Celtics and head coach Mark Coglianese.

6Michael Schofield
Orland Park (IL) Sandburg
OL6-6/272Michigan

Named as an all conference and all area performer for the Eagles and head coach Dave Wierzal.

7Leon Hill
Chicago (IL) Leo
OL6-4/320Illinois

Ranked as one of the nation's top guards.

8Lendell Buckner
Chicago (IL) Leo
DT6-3/341Illinois

Ranked as one of the nation's top defensive tackles.

9Jon Budmayr
Woodstock (IL) Marian Central Catholic
QB6-0/194Wisconsin

Earned all-state honors as both a junior and a sophomore.

10Darren Jones
Harvey (IL) Thornton Township
QB6-3/195list

Named as an all conference and all area selection for the Wildcats and head coach Bill Mosel.

11Evan Watkins
Carol Stream (IL) Glenbard North
QB6-6/230Northwestern

Named as an all conference, all area and an all state selection for the Panthers and head coach Ryan Wilkins.

12Sean Cascarano
Glenview (IL) Glenbrook South
OL6-6/270Virginia

Cascarano will be a three year varsity starter in 2008 for the Titans and head coach Mike Noll.

13Michael Buchanan
Homewood (IL) Homewood Flossmoor
DE6-6/220list

Named as an all area selection for the Vikings and head coach Kenneth Smith.

14Mike Trumpy
Wheaton (IL) Wheaton North
RB6-0/197Northwestern

In 2007 was named as an all conference, all area and All State performer for the Falcons.

15Greg Fuller
Harvey (IL) Thornton Township
RB6-1/242Illinois

In 2007 was named as an all conference and all area selection for the Wildcats and head coach Bill Mosel. Fuller will be a rare four year varsity starter in 2008.

16Darius Moffett
Chicago (IL) Hubbard
LB6-3/225list

Will be a rare four year varsity starter in 2008 for the Greyhounds and head coach Elton Harris.

17Jack Baucus
Mundelein (IL) Carmel Catholic
TE6-6/233Arizona

Is a talented two sport athlete (football/basketball) for the Corsairs and head coach Andy Bitto.

18Anthony Wells
North Chicago (IL) North Chicago
DE6-2/229list

Wells will be a three year varsity letterman for the Warhawks and head coach Mike Grenda in 2008.

19Dimitrius Carr
Chicago (IL) Mount Carmel
LB6-1/200Indiana

Carr is a talented two sport athlete (football/track) for the Caravan and head coach Frank Lenti.

20Anthony Battle
Chicago (IL) Mt. Carmel
DE6-3/230Northwestern

Battle as a junior in 2007 was named as an all conference performer for the Caravan and head coach Frank Lenti.

21Alex Smith
Barrington (IL) Barrington
LB6-3/225list

In 2007 was named as an all conference and all area performer for the Broncos and head coach Joey Sanchez.

22AJ Hill
DuQuoin (IL) Du Quoin
QB6-2/200Northern Illinois

Iin 2007 was named as an all conference and all area performer for the Indians and head coach Al Martin.

23Kyle Zelinsky
Bartlett (IL) Bartlett
LB6-0/220list

As a junior in 2007 was named as an all conference and all area performer for the Hawks and head coach Tom Meaney.

24Tommie Hopkins
East St. Louis (IL) East St. Louis
DB5-11/175list

Often overlooked because of highly ranked teammates.

25Dan Orseske
Chicago (IL) Brother Rice
K6-3/195Minnesota

One of the region's top kickers.

26Martin Hopkins
Chicago (IL) St. Rita
LB6-2/234list

As a junior in 2007 was named as an all conference selection for the Mustangs and head coach Todd Kuska.

27Jake Baratz
Naperville (IL) Naperville North
OL6-4/275list

As a junior in 2007 was named as an academic all conference performer for the Huskies and head coach Larry McKeon.

28Jordan Lynch
Chicago (IL) Mount Carmel
QB6-2/205Northern Illinois

As a junior in 2007 was named as an all conference and all area performer for the Caravan and head coach Frank Lenti.

29Ethan Armstrong
Ottawa (IL) Ottawa Township
LB6-2/215list

As a junior in 2007 was named as an all conference and all area performer for the Pirates and head coach Trent Swords.

30Cody O'Neill
Woodstock (IL) Marian Central Catholic
OL6-2/294list

As a junior in 2007 was named as an all conference and all area performer for the Hurricanes and head coach Ed Brucker.