Oct. 27, 2008

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois defensive end Craig Rusch and kicker Mike Salerno were named the Mid-American Conference West Division Players of the Week on defense and special teams, respectively, following the Huskies' 16-13 win over Bowling Green, the MAC Office announced Monday.

Rusch, a senior from Hilbert, Wisc., totaled three tackles - all solo - and a quarterback sack in leading another tremendous team effort by the NIU defense, which limited Bowling Green to just one touchdown and 168 yards of total offense on the day. The Huskies have not allowed an opponent to score more than one touchdown in a game in their last six games.

Rusch's sack, his second of the season, came on the Falcons' last drive and helped Northern Illinois re-gain the ball, setting up the game-winning score. He has 11 total tackles, three for loss, and a pass break-up while starting all eight games at defensive end this season.

Rusch is the third Huskie defender to win MAC West Player of the Week honors this season, joining Larry English (vs. Tennessee) and Alex Kube (vs. Toledo). That is the most defensive player of the week honors earned by an NIU team since 2003.

Kicker Mike Salerno made the game-winning field goal with 11.9 seconds on the clock.

Salerno picked up the first MAC West honor of his career with three field goals, including the 30-yard game-winner with 11.9 seconds on the clock. The junior from Orland Park, Ill. started his day with a school record tying 52-yard field goal in the first quarter to give the Huskies an early 3-0 win. After missing a 49-yard FG into the 20-plus mph wind at the end of the first half, Salerno came back to make two critical threes in the fourth quarter with the first one - from 25 yards - tying the game at 13 and the second giving Northern Illinois the win.

He also made one PAT on the day and is a perfect 24-of-24 on PATs this season to go with 14-of-20 on field goals for a team-leading 66 points. Salerno ranks tied for seventh nationally in field goals and is first in the MAC.

The Huskies have now had six players earn league player of the week honors this season with punter Andy Dittbenner (vs. EMU) and quarterback Chandler Harnish (vs. Minnesota) joining the defenders and Salerno.

Northern Illinois returns to the road next Wednesday, Nov. 5 to face No. 18 Ball State in a MAC West matchup that will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Kickoff from Scheumann Stadium is 7 p.m. (Central).

-- NIU --