Coach Kill demands discipline
By JOHN SAHLY
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jsahly@daily-chronicle.com
For more NIU coverage, visit HuskieWire.com
DeKALB – While Northern Illinois' quarterback situation appears it will remained unresolved to the public before today, NIU coach Jerry Kill wants to see something that was lacking in last week's loss to Toledo.
Before the Huskies even take the field for today's noon kickoff at 0-7 (0-3 Mid-American Conference East) Miami (Ohio), Kill wants to see a disciplined football team in all aspects of the game.
"I'm talking about how you handle yourself before the game in the locker room," Kill said. "What your approach on the sideline is, do you have everybody paying attention? Did we do a good job in our walk-through, were our guys paying attention or did a couple guys miss assignments during walk-through. Things of that nature, that's discipline to me.
"It's the discipline, things that you are supposed to get ready for a game."
Kill attributed some of that to a young and inexperienced 3-3 (1-1 MAC West) Huskies team and added that he feels like he still is teaching his team how to do all of those things he talked about in his definition of discipline, going so far as list things like how to stand on the sideline and come out of the locker room.
So how do you fix that?
"I think all you can do is hope, as the year goes, is that we can learn from the approach and what you're doing and not make mistakes," Kill said. "That's just part of having a youthful team. Is that something you accept? No. We addressed some things [this past] Sunday."
NIU hopes it has taken care of those problems, at least for this week, as it lost its margin for error in the MAC West. The Huskies will have to go at least 3-3 in the second half of the season to make it to a bowl game and likely has to run the table leading up to the season-ending game at Central Michigan to have a chance to go to the MAC title game.
"We like to treat every game like a bowl game," wide receiver Marcus Lewis said. "We know that the MAC is a very competitive conference. ... Miami (Ohio) is a great team. They can move the ball around a lot. They've got a good defense. They like to fly around."
NIU quarterback Chandler Harnish is questionable for today's game with an injury knee. On Tuesday, Kill left open all possibilities for who will start, including Harnish, sophomore DeMarcus Grady and senior Ryan Morris
Getting a win today could set up a long winning streak for the Huskies, who come home to play three straight in DeKalb against Akron, Eastern Michigan and Ball State, teams that have combined for one victory entering today.
"It is always great to come back home," defensive tackle D.J. Pirkle said. "This coming week will be a really long road trip. Getting a win on the road and then coming home for three straight, you never want to lose at home. We don't plan on it. It's big to get home for three straight conference games."
FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Get settled in at quarterback
No matter if it's Chandler Harnish, DeMarcus Grady or Ryan Morris, a strong first couple of series will be important to set the tone for the Huskies. If it's Grady, will the improvement he showed during fall camp and when he received the majority of reps at practice this week translate to gameday? Grady also is the best runner of the three, so if he gets the start, look for the Huskies to utilize Grady's speed.
2. Restart the run game
It took until the third quarter last week at Toledo for NIU to get its running game going. Running backs Me'co Brown and Chad Spann (who must receive more than one first-half carry) can take a lot of pressure off the quarterbacks with a good start.
3. Stop the big play
Statistically, NIU's defense did everything it could last week, except giving up big plays on third down and in crucial situations. The Huskies were left searching for answers as to why. Answering that question could lead to a big day for the defense.
4. Protect the kicker
Kicker Mike Salerno had a rough week against Toledo, getting an extra point and the go-ahead field goal blocked in the final minute. Toledo said NIU's blocking scheme had a flaw that allowed the Rockets to bust through the middle. Good protection on a long field goal made by Salerno would do wonders for his confidence.
5. Come out strong
Miami is better than its record, but allowing a hungry team to gain early confidence could mean a long day for NIU. The Huskies buried Western Michigan early and didn't allow the Broncos to settle and will look to do the same against the RedHawks.
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