Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022: Previewing, predicting, and waiting for the Northern Illinois season with what it’s essential to know and keys to the season.
– Contact/Comply with @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak
Northern Illinois Huskies Preview
Thomas Hammock 4th yr at Northern Illinois, 14-18
2021 Preview: General: 9-5, Convention: 6-2
Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Occur
Northern Illinois Prime 10 Gamers | NIU Schedule
Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022
By no means underestimate the MAC going MAC.
No different convention has a historical past of going from zero to hero frequently extra. It was Northern Illinois’ flip.
The 2018 MAC champion program had two straight dud seasons, bottoming out with an 0-6 run in 2020 with nothing taking place on protection.
Head coach Thomas Hammock used that as a real rebuild season.
The 2022 model shocked Georgia Tech to begin the season, pushed by way of a slew of tight battles to get to the MAC Championship, received it, and misplaced a thriller of a Treatment Bowl to Coastal Carolina.
Now it’s as much as the Huskies to begin making issues simpler on themselves.
It takes an ideal staff to win the tight ones, however seven of the 9 wins have been by a landing or much less. Give NIU credit score for closing, however there’s a superb line between all the massive issues final yr’s staff did, and being an also-ran within the MAC.
With 9 starters anticipated again on offense, seven seemingly again on protection, and a good kicking sport all in place, Northern Illinois isn’t seemingly to return.
Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022: Offense
Operating sport, working sport, working sport. In fact the staff with Thomas Hammock as the pinnacle coach would be capable to run, and Northern Illinois did simply that completed fourth within the nation averaging 241 yards per sport behind an ideal line that was nice for the bottom sport and dominant in cross safety. However …
Main rusher Jay Ducker is off to Memphis. He accounted for near 1,200 yards and three scores, and in addition bought is FB Clint Ratkovich pounded for 13 scores.
Harrison Waylee was second on the staff with 574 yards and 4 scores, and Antario Brown hammered away for near seven yards per carry and 5 scores on his 538 yards.
They’ll all work behind a loaded offensive line led by all-star guard Logan Zschernitz and sort out Nolan Potter on the correct facet. The bottom sport will even get assist from …
Rocky Lombardi is again quarterback. The previous Michigan State Spartan is okay throwing it, however he’s a troublesome baller who ran for over 5 yards per carry with 472 yards and 9 scores. On the way in which to assist is Temple switch Justin Lynch in a backup position.
The receiving corps is robust with three of the highest 4 targets again. Second Workforce All-MAC deep menace Trayvon Rudolph is the largest playmaker, Cole Tucker is a superb veteran who grew into the job final yr, and coming in is Shemar Thornton from FIU. TE Miles Joiner is a confirmed midrange goal.
Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022: Protection
The protection was terrible within the winless 2020, and it wasn’t any higher final yr. The Huskies completed one hundred and fifteenth within the nation in complete protection. was depressing towards the run, couldn’t provide you with takeaways, and allowed 34 factors per sport.
In a the-food-was-bad-but-the-portions-were-huge form of means, however to be honest, this was a YOUNG group. 15 of the highest 20 tacklers have been freshmen and two others have been sophomores.
The cross rush was missing, however there are choices. It’s a giant entrance 4 with 273-pound Devonte O’Malley – he performs inside or out – main the way in which with 4 sacks and sophomore James Ester a second-team All-MAC performer at one sort out.
The linebacking corps will get again All-MAC-caliber Kyle Pugh – for his eighth yr with this system after lacking all of final yr damage. He’ll work on the surface with third-leading tackler Nick Rattin settling into the center spot. Additionally coming in is Izayah Inexperienced-Could from Wisconsin for the rotation.
The secondary went WAY younger, and now it has some potential ballers. Security CJ Brown led the staff with 108 stops, Jordan Hansen got here up with 58, and nook Jordan Gandy is a hitter on the surface. Developing with greater than three picks as a bunch can be good.
Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Occur
Northern Illinois Prime 10 Gamers | NIU Schedule