April 21, 2007

2007 Spring Game Statistics

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois closed out its 2007 spring practices with a two-and-a-half hour open scrimmage at Huskie Stadium Saturday on a picture-perfect day for spring football. During the workout, the Huskies' number one offense and number two defense teamed up to take on the number two offensive unit and number one defense.

Facing the number one defense throughout the scrimmage, NIU junior quarterback Dan Nicholson and the "Black" squad outscored sophomore QB Ryan Morris and the "Red" team 35-7.

Each of NIU's top two quarterbacks had success though, with Nicholson completing 13-of-17 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Morris hit on 12-of-17 of his pass attempts for 154 yards with an interception and a touchdown. Morris hit sophomore receiver Marcus Lewis on the longest pass play of the day, a 70-yard touchdown bomb in the fourth quarter, but also saw a second-quarter pass picked off by cornerback Chase Carter, a 2007 signee who joined the team in January, and returned 51 yards for a score.

"I was pleased to see the offense make some plays," said NIU Head Coach Joe Novak. "It's been a pretty `defensive' spring overall so I was pleased to see the offense come out today and do some things well because that has been my biggest concern.

"I thought Dan Nicholson threw the ball well, and we caught it pretty well. Marcus Lewis had the big play, of course and at running back, Montell Clanton was solid and Justin Anderson made some nice runs."

Anderson led all rushers with 14 carries for 111 yards and two scores as his day included a 45-yard run. Clanton gained 47 yards on 13 attempts with one touchdown, and freshman Ricky Crider added 43 carries on 12 rushes.

Junior Matt Simon's five catches led the receivers as he gained 56 yards. Marcus Perez (4 catches for 40 yards), Britt Davis (4 for 44), Evans Adonis (4 for 20) and Greg Turner (3 for 27) all recorded at least three catches on the day for the Huskies.

As the Huskies scrimmaged during every practice during the spring, Novak said that today's results would not radically alter the team's depth chart.

"This was one day of 15 [this spring], so no one won or lost a job today," said the veteran coach, who enters his 12th season at the helm of the Huskie program in 2007. "It was a great day to see where they are at and it was another opportunity for everyone to get better. We had 15 good days of practice this spring, and I wish we had 15 more. We made good progress. I saw some good hitting and I think we played pretty physical today."

Defensively, NIU defenders recorded eight "sacks" with first team defensive ends Robert Oruche and Brandon Bice contributing four and three, respectively. However, the quarterbacks, who wore black jersies, did not get hit and sacks were awarded by the officials.

Overall, Novak said he was pleased with the Huskies' effort Saturday and throughout the spring and encouraged by the play-making ability. "I was pleased with the way the players got after it," Novak said. "You want to see playmakers on both sides of the ball and I saw that. The bottom line is, I saw some kids make some plays. It was a beautiful day and a great crowd."

Among the crowd were many of NIU's 2006 seniors, including offensive tackle Doug Free and tailback Garrett Wolfe, both of whom are expected to be selected in next weekend's NFL draft.

The Huskies open the 2007 season on Saturday, Sept. 1 when they play host to Iowa at Soldier Field in Chicago. Tickets for the game can be ordered now by calling the Huskie Athletics Ticket Office at 815-752-6800 or on-line at www.niuhuskies.com. The deadline for Huskie Athletic Scholarship Fund members to receive a ticket priority is May 1.

-- NIU --