Oct. 27, 2008

By Nate Rakoczy

NIU Media Relations

When recruiting for the offensive line, coaches look for size, strength, quickness and athletic ability. Many might not believe that a 6-6, 295-pound man possesses good athletic ability, but for offensive lineman, athleticism is a trait they all take great pride in.

The athleticism of the Northern Illinois offensive line might not be too recognizable right away on the field but by taking a closer examination of their high school careers, one is able to imagine the athleticism this group possesses. The Huskie offensive line consists of numerous players that played both ways in high school, former field goal kickers, hockey players, golfers as well as All-Conference and All-Area track and basketball players.

For Dan Keller, a senior offensive guard, his athleticism helped rescue a Huskie team decimated by injuries.

In 2007, the Northern Illinois Huskie football team struggled out of the gate and lost their first three games of the season. In those three loses, the Huskies suffered dearly with injuries. By game three, eight starters had missed at least one full game due to injury. Fourteen different players listed on the depth chart missed at least one game due to injury as well. Twelve of those 14 injuries resulted in multiple games missed.

Out of all the positions, the defensive line suffered the most during those first couple weeks. Five of the top six defensive tackles on the depth chart were injured, with three being lost for the year. Senior Adam Schroeder needed shoulder surgery, while Craig Rusch and Anthony Antonacci were lost due to knee injuries. Zach Holycross and Mike Krause rounded out the injured defensive tackles.

The lack of depth of interior lineman put defensive line coach Jeff Phelps and head coach Joe Novak in a tight bind and left Phelps with a very inexperienced group of defensive tackles. Junior Alex Krutsch, redshirt freshman Ed Jackson and freshman D.J. Pirkle were the only Huskies left standing to play noseguard and the three technique. Krutsch, who had appeared in 14 games prior to the 2007 season, was the only Huskie out of those three who had previous game experience.

To give the interior line more depth, coach Novak called upon Dan Keller before the week of practice for Idaho began. Keller saw previous action on the D-line his freshmen year, but was moved back to offensive side of the ball. At the time, the Racine, Wis. native was listed as the No. 2 offensive right tackle behind Jon Brost. But Keller was willing to step up and move to the defensive side of the ball. "We were struggling and it was early on," said Keller, "I was going to do whatever coach Novak wanted me to do."

Switching to defense was a bit tougher than anticipated for the communications major. "It was definitely a big change," Keller said. "I was playing the exact opposite of what I was before. I struggled a bit at first, but I had good coaches that were confident in me and I wanted to show them what I could do. The hardest part was leaving my friends that I've been playing next to since I got here. It was a little awkward to go against them in practice at first, but it was fun. We joked around as much as we could."

The new defensive tackle was thrown into action right away after a week of practice at Idaho. Keller, who was listed as the second nose guard on the depth chart, was involved in 39 plays at the Kibbie Dome to help the Huskies earn their first victory of the season.

"It's always nice to hit someone with a different jersey on," Keller said, "It felt great to help out the team and get that first W."

Keller remained an interior defensive lineman for the rest of the 2007 season. His hard work paid off and on October 20, Keller received his first start as a defensive tackle against Wisconsin in what the Wisconsin native said was sort of a `homecoming' game at Camp Randall Stadium.

Keller stepped up for the Huskies in a time of need and turned out to be a quality asset for the defense. Coach Novak believed in Keller and was confident he would have an easy transition from offense due to his athleticism and experience.

During his four years at St. Catherine's High School in Racine, the student, who only played football because he outgrew soccer by his freshman year, became a versatile, every down player. Keller saw action as an offensive tackle, tight end, fullback, defensive tackle, defensive end and even kicker.

In his final two years at St. Catherine's, he contributed for 121 tackles, three fumble recoveries, and six sacks. On the offensive side of the ball, he warded off eight would-be tacklers and scampered 59 yards for a game-winning touchdown against Union Grove. He even showed off his leg power and booted a 44 yard field goal during the season.

"I never wanted to leave the field in high school. It was too fun," said Keller. A positive attitude, athletic ability and performance on and off the field are the reasons why Keller is wearing cardinal and black today.

This season, the diehard Chicago Bears fan has returned back to the offense and has started all seven games at right guard.

"Defense is fun, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to play it, but I've always preferred the offensive line, even though there is hardly any glory in it." Keller, who chose NIU over Minnesota and Wisconsin, will never forget his time as a Huskie and has no regrets.

"The last five years have been a blast, and I wouldn't change anything. I've met people I will never forget and been involved in situations that I dreamed of as a kid. I'm proud to be a Huskie."