SPORTS SHORTS: Bice earns weekly MAC West honor

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Bice earns weekly MAC West honor

Northern Illinois senior defensive end Brandon Bice was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week by the league office Monday for his performance in NIU's 20-19 loss at Toledo this past Saturday.

Bice made a season-high eight tackles, including two for loss and caused a pair of fumbles with Northern Illinois recovering both. His first forced fumble stopped the Rockets' first drive, which had reached the NIU 15-yard line, while his second fumble-causing play came one possession after the Huskies' had scored in the third quarter to make it a one-point game. He sacked UT third-string quarterback Alex Pettee on Toledo's last drive as the NIU defense forced Toledo to punt.

The Huskie defense held Toledo's high-powered offense below their season average in points, total offense and passing yards. The Rockets came into the game averaging 324 passing yards, 470 yards of total offense and 31.5 points per game, but gained just 230 passing yards, 387 total and 20 points, respectively.

One of only three senior starters on the Northern Illinois defense this season, Bice has made 17 tackles, including eight solo, in 2009 while starting all six games for the Huskies. His career totals include 10 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss, and eight passes defended.

Sycamore Youth Baseball pitches in

Sycamore Youth Baseball, in conjunction with Pitch in for Baseball, a national non-profit organization that focuses on providing youth baseball players equipment to play the game, donated 136 batting helmets to the Near South Little League in Chicago.

"Giving kids a chance to be a part of a team and experience the thrill of winning or accomplishing something is what Little League Baseball is all about," said Sycamore Youth Baseball president Doug Glick. "There are lifelong lessons kids will learn by playing not just baseball but all sports."

Near South Little League started its program two years ago and today has 270 youth players.