April 19, 2002

ANNUAL SPRING FOOTBALL GAME: NORTHERN ILLINOIS DEFENSE 84, NORTHERN ILLINOIS OFFENSE 31
DeKALB, IL --- Defense dominated Northern Illinois University's annual spring intra-squad football game Friday evening (April 19) at Huskie Stadium and---with 20/20 hindsight---the reasons were pretty obvious.

Utilizing a special scoring system devised by head coach Joe Novak to allow the defense earn points for creating turnovers, forcing punts, and rewarding it for three downs-and-out series, the Northern Illinois Attack Four-Three defensive alignment overwhelmed the offense by an 84-31 margin.

That opportunistic and veteran 2002 Huskie defense---which featured nine returning regulars from a team that ranked No. 21 nationally last fall in turnover margin (+0.64 per game average)---jumped into a 39-0 lead in the game's first 18:49. Overall, the Northern Illinois "D" scored three "regular" touchdowns, collected 10 turnovers (six interceptions and four fumbles), and made the "O" punt 17 times.

Conversely, the NIU offense did not register its initial first down until its final possession of the first quarter or dent the scoreboard until junior placekicker Steve Azar's (Colorado Springs, CO / Highlands Ranch) 34-yard field goal with 8:11 left in the second period. Junior linebacker Nick Duffy (Wheaton / Warrenville South) tallied the first Northern Illinois defensive TD with a 24-yard pass interception 2:17 into the intra-squad scrimmage. Senior strong safety Justin Dole (Manteno / Kankakee Bishop McNamara) went 68 yards for a TD with a third-quarter pass theft and freshman cornerback Toron Ballard (Chicago / Lincoln Park) rang up the third defensive score by blocking a punt and returning it 27 yards with 0:34 remaining in the game.

"I think the defense was tough," Novak said. "I'm not surprised. On the other hand, we still have to settle our quarterback situation and we didn't play with five regulars on offense---P. J. Fleck (Sugar Grove / Maple Park Kaneland), Keith Perry (Maywood / Westchester St. Joseph), Matt Dunker (Marengo), Matt McGhghy (Keokuk, IA), and Jake VerStreate (Atkinson / Geneseo J. D. Darnall). So that hurt us. We still have a good defense."

On offense, Northern Illinois produced 358 yards total offense and 16 first downs. The Replace QB Chris Finlen Derby still remained inconclusive. Junior College transfer Ryan Gilbert (El Segundo, CA) did complete 13-of-30 passes for 127 yards and three TDs---two to junior WR Levi Adams (Chicago / Bogan). Junior QB Kyle Padia (San Jose, CA / Leigh) hit 5-of-13 for 40 yards and threw four "picks." Soph QB Josh Haldi (Madison, OH) went 3-of-13 for 30 yards and two interceptions. Senior-to-be All-America tailback candidate Thomas Hammock (Fort Wayne, IN / Bishop Luers) led all rushers with 75 yards on 15 attempts---including a 30-yard TD run in the fourth period. Junior WR Mike Archie (Chicago / Brother Rice) topped the receivers with five catches for 36 yards.

With a 1,000-yard rusher (Hammock) returning and seven regulars back on offense, not to mention an aggressive defense, Novak does not expect the Finlen's replacement to totally carry the Huskies on his shoulders. "It was hard to tell. It was the first time all spring they (QBs) got hit. Nobody jumped out. Padia and Haldi probably are ahead of Ryan Gilbert only because of his having (only) 15 practices. This summer is crucial. Our quarterback has to come in and can't be turning the ball over. Whomever plays in that (QB) spot doesn't have to be a superstar," the seventh-year Northern Illinois boss said.

"But he can't make mistakes. I was disappointed in having a lot of picks tonight. We can't have them turning the ball over. If we have to punt it, a punt is a good play because we can turn it over to our defense. Tonight we thought it important for our QBs to go against our No. 1 defense like Wake Forest (NIU's 2002 home opener August 29).

Overall, Novak felt his Huskies experienced a "good spring." "The main thing I've seen from this defense is soundness," he said after the intra-squad game. "We've always played hard, but at times we weren't the soundest group. We are in a real attacking mode, blitzing a lot. Our biggest improvement is playing with soundness and discipline."

(For further information, please contact Mike Korcek) -30-