July 28, 2010

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Excerpts of 2010 Chicago Media Day

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University football team kicked off its first of three media days leading up to the start of the 2010 football season today at Ditka's Restaurant in Chicago.

Third-year head coach Jerry Kill and several Huskie players were on hand to field questions from members of the Chicago media regarding the highly anticipated upcoming season.

"All coaches feel great this time of year, Kill said. "We're all undefeated. We feel good about the approaching season. The bottom line is the game is played on the field. You have to perform on the field in front of a lot of people. Of course, our opener is at Iowa State and that's where our preparation will go to."

NIU's schedule, particularly the first five games received plenty of attention from the media members in attendance. In addition to the season opener in Ames, Iowa against the Cyclones, (Sept. 2, 7 p.m., Comcast SportsNet) the Huskies travel to Champaign to face Illinois Sept. 18, head to Minnesota to face the Gophers Sept. 25 and are at Akron Oct. 2 for the conference opener. The home opener, which is set for Sept. 11, against North Dakota, is the lone home date in the first five games.

"We're going to do a little travelling," he said. "We've talked to our kids about that. Sometimes, in athletics, we get caught up in where we play. The bottom line is, you have to play."

The one game that has many fans in the state talking is the date with the Illini in week three. Kill was very appreciative of the opportunity to play Illinois and thinks it's not only a great game for the state, but college football.

"In these economic times, I think it's great to play close to home," he said. "I think it's great for the state. Being able to play at Northwestern or Illinois, the Division I programs within our state, I think it's great. I'd like to be able to do that every two years because I think it's great for the state and it's great for college football.

"I was very privileged when coach Novak allowed me when I was at Southern Illinois to come up and play Northern Illinois."

The media blitz continues Friday with MAC Media Day in Detroit. Fans can follow all the action of the day's events through the live blog on NIUHuskies.com beginning at 8 a.m. CST and by logging on to mac-sports.com. Kill will be joined by defensive end Jake Coffman and running back Chad Spann. Fans can catch their live video interviews at 9:40 a.m. CST. The Huskies will conduct their DeKalb Media Day, final media day of 2010, Thursday, August 5.

Season tickets for all five of Northern Illinois 2010 home games are currently on sale through the NIU Athletics Ticket Office and online at www.NIUHuskies.com. NIU season football tickets are one of the region's best values at just $85 for all five games. NIU faculty and staff, Varsity Club (former letterwinners), NIU Alumni Association members and senior citizens can purchase season tickets for only $74. The three-game mini-plan allows fans to choose any three 2010 games, including Homecoming, to get the same reserved seat for all three games for just $50.

Tickets can be ordered online at www.NIUHuskies.com (click the "Tickets" link on the top of the page), on the phone at 815-752-6800 or in person at the NIU Convocation Center Ticket Office in DeKalb.

-NIU-