Nov. 29, 2010

DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University football team made it a perfect 10 as defensive end Jake Coffman (German Valley, Ill./Forreston) earned Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week Monday after turning in his best performance of the season in NIU's 71-3 win over Eastern Michigan.

Coffman's selection marks the 10th-straight week a Huskie has garnered MAC West POTW this season, dating back to the Illinois game, and it is the second such honor for Coffman this year.

Coffman finished with five solo tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble as he led the way for Northern Illinois over the Eagles. Coffman set the tone early as on the second play of Eastern Michigan's second series, he sacked quarterback Alex Gillett for a loss of eight yards, causing a fumble which was recovered by Northern Illinois' Sean Progar at the Eagle 22 yard line. Two plays later, the Huskies' scored to go ahead 13-0.

Coffman and the Huskie defense held Eastern Michigan to 160 yards on 64 offensive plays for an average of 2.5 yards per play. In addition, Eastern Michigan's 11 passing yards was a season low.

The senior defensive end is the third Huskie to earn multiple MAC Player of the Week honors in 2010. Quarterback Chandler Harnish earned MAC West Offensive Player of the Week accolades three times this season. Jimmie Ward was named MAC West Specialist of the Week twice this season, both times after blocking punts. Linebacker Tyrone Clark, punter Josh Wilber and tailback Chad Spann are the other Huskies to earn weekly honors this year.

Coffman is also one of 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award, which celebrates seniors who have exhibited excellence in character, in the community, in the classroom and in competition, while showing commitment to their universities and their teams by completing their college eligibility. Fans can vote online at seniorCLASSaward.com to help determine the winner. The deadline to vote is Dec. 6.

Northern Illinois travels to Detroit, Mich. to take on Miami (OH) in the 2010 Marathon MAC Championship game Friday, Dec. 3 at Ford Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game can be seen on ESPN2. Fans can also listen to the game on the radio on the Huskies' flagship station, 1360 AM WLBK and in Chicago on The Score 670 AM as well as on WTJK ESPN 1380 AM in Janesville, Wis. which covers the Rockford market.

For the third straight season, Northern Illinois has qualified for postseason play. Fans can reserve tickets for any of the five MAC-affiliated bowl games that NIU could play in on the 2010 Football Postseason Central page at NIUHuskies.com. Fans will not be charged for those ticket reservations unless NIU accepts an invitation to the bowl for which the tickets are reserved. Tickets can be reserved for any or all five MAC bowls. There is also information available regarding the 2010 Marathon Mid-American Conference Championship Game on the official website of Huskie Athletics.

-NIU-