Northern Illinois
Northern Illinois

Northern Illinois Team Report

Updated: April 26, 2012 02:35 EST

Northern Illinois closed out the spring session with an historic groundbreaking ceremony of a new practice center. The Kenneth and Ellen Chessick Practice Center is slated to an 80,000-plus square feet building with a football field 120 yards long and 65 feet high in the center that is expected to be ready for use in August of 2013.

"Another step in the right direction, obviously we're extremely excited," said NIU coach Dave Doeren said. "Not just to have the ability to go inside but the ability to train, the ability to set a schedule and keep a schedule."

On the field, the Huskies took the first steps toward rebuilding on offense and putting an added emphasize on the defensive side. The Huskies have averaged 38 points a game the last two years, led by dynamic running and throwing quarterback Chandler Harnish. Junior Jordan Lynch was named the starting quarterback before the start of the spring practices. Lynch concluded a stellar spring by completing 29 passes for 402 yards in the spring game. Lynch improved on his vocal leadership and showed a good grasp of the offense despite just three returnees from last year's 11-win team.

"The best thing for Jordan was Chandler getting hurt last year in the bowl game, and having to come in and lead our team," Doeren said. "So now, this is his team. We went in right there, I said 'this is your team. It's going to be your team next year, it's your team now."

The Huskies have plenty of question marks left to answer at running back and offensive line. With one returner in left guard Logan Pegram, the offensive line remains influx, but last year's reserves showed improvement throughout the spring. The Huskies will enter the fall with Akeem Daniels, Leighton Settle, Cameron Stingily and Jamal Womble vying for carries.

Defensively, the Huskies welcomed the return of 2010 starting linebackers Devon Butler and Tyrone Clark. Both missed the 2011 season. The defensive line is shaky, but the secondary and a solid special teams bring optimism for a third straight MAC West crown.

"I think for the most part we accomplished what we wanted this spring," Doeren said. "We probably made more strides in special teams this spring over last year just because of the weather. I thought we got a lot better in that area. I wanted to see what our offensive line could do in the run game."

--The Huskies entered the spring with just one returning starter along the offensive line. The offensive line was an overlooked reason for the offense averaging 38 points per game the last two years. Left guard Logan Pegram is the lone returning starter, but the line had good chemistry with new starting quarterback Jordan Lynch in the spring. Most of the players on the two-deep had extensive practice time with Lynch last year, evidenced by their development in the spring.

--The Huskies had a groundbreaking ceremony on the day of the spring game for a new indoor practice center. The Huskies' recent bowl run put an added importance on getting an indoor practice center. The facility is expected to be completed in August of 2013.

SPRING MOVERS:

QB Jordan Lynch -- He was named the starting quarterback by NIU coach Dave Doeren before the start of spring practice. Lynch learned well from former NIU star quarterback Chandler Harnish. Lynch played solid all spring, capped by a stellar showing in the spring game. He must show better vocal leadership, but the offense looks in good hands with Lynch.

WR Martel Moore -- Coming off a big showing in the bowl game victory, Moore welcomed more balls thrown his way in the spring with the loss of several playmakers from last year's team. Moore capped the spring session by catching a touchdown pass from quarterback Jordan Lynch in the spring game.

DT Frank Boenzi -- Ready to show the talent that many projected from him from nearby Geneva High School. With the defensive interior seeking regular contributors, Boenzi closed the spring with a sack and showed the coaching staff that he's ready for more playing time in the fall.

RB Akeem Daniels -- The leading choice to handle the majority of carries next year. Daniels outshined a group of running backs vying for the starting position with his experience and pass-catching ability.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "You'll see a lot of things that don't miss a step. As a runner, he might be better (than Harnish). He threw the ball down the field well. I think Chandler was an extremely good pressure quarterback. To me, that's what made him the best in NIU history. The way he played in the fourth quarter when the game was on the line was what made Chandler Harnish so special to me. Until Jordan is in that position, we won't know. But I think the stuff we've asked him to do so far ... he has handled it really well." -- NIU coach Dave Doeren on starting quarterback Jordan Lynch.

2012 OUTLOOK: The Huskies will look like a completely different team in 2012. No long will the Huskies depend on the offense to mask holes on the defensive side. Three starters return from last year's high-octane offense. But the defense is loaded and can carry the burden of producing more stops and big plays. The schedule is helpful, with five of the first seven games at home.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The Huskies have averaged 38 points a game the last two years. The offense will miss quarterback Chandler Harnish and four key starters on the offensive line. Junior quarterback Jordan Lynch is a poor man's clone of Harnish, with his running and passing ability. The Huskies have some issues at running back and offensive line, but feature several talented wide receivers and tight ends. The talent is there for another big season, but expect a small drop-off in production that might be helped by a strong defense.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Ten starters return with the addition of 2010 starting linebackers Tyrone Clark and Devon Butler, who both missed the 2011 season. The secondary is the strength of the defense, with several players expected to build on solid showings late in the 2011 season. The defensive line won't be as deep as last year's team, but defensive end Sean Progar is a player with a chip on a shoulder after a suspension caused him to miss last year's bowl game victory.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: The entire starting unit is back, including kickoff return sensation Tommylee Lewis. The sophomore is poised for a bigger season after not seeing action until near midseason in 2011. Kicker Mathew Sims made the game-winning field goal in two games last year.

TOP NEWCOMERS:

LB Devon Butler -- Not exactly a new player, but Butler was cleared to practice after sitting out last season. He spent two weeks in the hospital last April after getting shot in the back as an unintended victim in a drug deal. A junior, Butler was a third-team all-Mid-American selection in 2010. He looked solid in the spring and expected to be a key contributor in 2012.

LB Tyrone Clark -- Another nice addition from within the ranks for the NIU defense. Clark missed last year after compiling 78 tackles and picking off a team-leading four passes from his outside linebacker spot in 2010.

ROSTER REPORT:

--TE Jason Schepler missed all of the spring session due to recovering from knee surgery. Schepler, a senior, must contend with a crowded tight end group for playing time.

--KR Tommylee Lewis will see plenty of time next fall at wide receiver. The 5-foot-7 speedy sophomore is a big-time threat with the ball in his hands.

--LB Jamaal Bass' status remains in limbo until an Ohio court decides his fate for his role in running into a group of Toledo band members prior to last year's game in Toledo.

--DT Nabal Jefferson missed most of the spring after suffering a foot fracture early in the spring session. Jefferson is expected to be ready for fall camp.