2010 Northern Illinois Huskies football team
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Northern Illinois Huskies football
team represented Northern Illinois University
in the college football season of 2010. They compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football
during the football season
. Northern Illinois competed as a member of the Mid-American Conference
(MAC) West Division. They were coached by Jerry Kill
(3rd Season) and played their home games at Huskie Stadium
. The Huskies finished the season 11–3, 8–0 in MAC play to win the west division and lost to Miami (OH)
in the MAC Championship Game
. They were invited to the Humanitarian Bowl
where they defeated Fresno State
40–17. Jerry Kill resigned as head coach following the MAC Championship game to accept the head coaching position at Minnesota
. Kill did not coach in the Humanitarian Bowl. On December 9th, Tom Matukewicz
was announced as the interim head coach for the Huskies bowl game.
Source:
Despite being without the services of starting QB Chandler Harnish, the Huskies pulled within a touchdown midway through the 4th quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by backup signal caller DeMarcus Grady. But an Iowa State touchdown drive immediately thereafter put the game away for the Cyclones.
The Huskie defense was scorched on the ground, allowing 319 rushing yards to the Fighting Illini, and NIU star tailback Chad Spann was held to only 15 yards on 13 carries. QB Chandler Harnish had a strong performance, but lost a fumble in Illinois territory in the 4th quarter that proved to be costly.
The win was the third over a Big Ten school in the history of the program, and the second in as many years.
In a matchup of preseason MAC favorites, the Huskies took over in the second half thanks in large part to a dominant and balanced offensive performance that wore the Owls down on a warm day in DeKalb.
NIU continues its 2nd-half dominance against MAC foes, not allowing a point in the 2nd half for the third straight week.
Quarterback Chandler Harnish found Willie Clark with a 21-yard TD pass with 3:42 to play to lift the Huskies (7-2, 5-0 Mid-American Conference) to their six straight victory, their longest winning streak since 2004.
Toledo could not hold on against NIU's offense as the Huskies dominated the Rockets with Chad Spann scoring 3 touchdowns and Chandler Harnish going 11-of-16 for 162 yards. The Huskies (8-2, 6-0 Mid-American) now have a 7-game winning streak and are edging closer to the MAC championship.
While winning its eighth straight game and clinching the Mid-American Conference West Division title , the Northern Illinois Huskies excelled on offense, defense and special teams en route to a 59-21 victory.
The Huskies had 654 yards on 46 plays, rushing for 552 yards, with most of the starters on the sideline for the second half. The Huskies (10-2, 8-0 MAC) swept MAC play for the first time in school history and will play Miami (8-4, 7-1) in the MAC Championship. It was the 5th most points scored by the Huskies in school History.
Armand Robinson caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Austin Boucher with 33 seconds remaining, lifting Miami to a stunning 26-21 upset of No. 25 Northern Illinois in the 2010 Marathon MAC Championship Game at Ford Field. The win marked the second time the RedHawks had won the league title game and completed a worst-to-first league finish.
Northern Illinois Huskies football
The Northern Illinois Huskies football team represents Northern Illinois University in the Mid-American Conference of the NCAA's Division I-Football Bowl Subdivision.-History:...
team represented Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University
Northern Illinois University is a state university and research institution located in DeKalb, Illinois, with satellite centers in Hoffman Estates, Naperville, Rockford, and Oregon. It was originally founded as Northern Illinois State Normal School on May 22, 1895 by Illinois Governor John P...
in the college football season of 2010. They compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
during the football season
2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on Thursday, September 2, 2010. The season progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game on Monday, January 10, 2011.-Rule changes for...
. Northern Illinois competed as a member of the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
(MAC) West Division. They were coached by Jerry Kill
Jerry Kill
Jerry Kill is the head football coach at the University of Minnesota. Before assuming this position with the Golden Gophers in December 2010, Kill served as the head coach at Saginaw Valley State University , Emporia State University , Southern Illinois University Carbondale , and Northern...
(3rd Season) and played their home games at Huskie Stadium
Huskie Stadium
Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois is the home field of the Northern Illinois University "Huskies." It is primarily used for American football...
. The Huskies finished the season 11–3, 8–0 in MAC play to win the west division and lost to Miami (OH)
2010 Miami RedHawks football team
The 2010 Miami RedHawks football team represented Miami University during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The RedHawks, led by second-year head coach Michael Haywood and interim head coach Lance Guidry during their bowl game, competed in the East Division of the Mid-American...
in the MAC Championship Game
2010 MAC Championship Game
The 2010 MAC Championship Game was played at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, December 3, 2010, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan to determine the 2010 football champion of the Mid-American Conference...
. They were invited to the Humanitarian Bowl
2010 Humanitarian Bowl
The 2010 Humanitarian Bowl was the fourteenth edition of the college football bowl game, and was played at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho, on the campus of Boise State University. The game started at 3:30 pm MST on Saturday, December 18, 2010 and was telecast on ESPN...
where they defeated Fresno State
2010 Fresno State Bulldogs football team
The 2010 Fresno State Bulldogs football team represented California State University, Fresno in the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulldogs, led by fourteenth-year head coach Pat Hill, are members of the Western Athletic Conference and played their home games at Bulldog Stadium in...
40–17. Jerry Kill resigned as head coach following the MAC Championship game to accept the head coaching position at Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
. Kill did not coach in the Humanitarian Bowl. On December 9th, Tom Matukewicz
Tom Matukewicz
-External links:*...
was announced as the interim head coach for the Huskies bowl game.
Preseason
- Northern Illinois was considered the favorite in the Pre-season Poll to win the West Division for the MAC2010 Mid-American Conference football seasonThe 2010 Mid-American Conference football season is the 65th season for the Mid-American Conference . The season began on Thursday, September 2, with five games: Ball State hosted Southeast Missouri State, Central Michigan hosted Hampton, Kent State hosted Murray State, Buffalo hosted Rhode Island,...
.
Recruiting
- Recruited Jasmin Hopkins from Fort Scott Community CollegeFort Scott Community CollegeFort Scott Community College is a two-year institution of higher learning based in Fort Scott, Kansas, with satellite buildings in other cities in Crawford County, including Pittsburg and Frontenac, along with sites in Paola and at Fort Scott High School. It is the oldest community college in...
where he rushed for 1,931 yards on 300 carries and recorded 18 touchdowns in his Sophomore campaign.
Notable Returning Players
- #28- (Sr.) RBRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Chad SpannChad SpannChad Spann is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2011, and signed by the Tampa Bay Buccanneers on October 17, 2011...
First team all MAC in 2009 (T-5 in NCAA with 19 touchdowns in 2009) - #54- (Sr.) DEDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
Jake Coffman 2nd Team all MAC in 2009 - #20- (So.) DBDefensive backIn American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
Tommy Davis 3rd Team all MAC in 2009 as a Punt Return Specialist
Award Watch Lists
| Award | Player | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Doak Walker Award Doak Walker Award The Doak Walker Award, first awarded in 1990, honors the United States's top college football running back. It is named after the Southern Methodist and Detroit Lions football player Doak Walker... (Outstanding Running Back) |
Chad Spann | Sr. |
| Lowe's Senior CLASS Award Lowe's Senior CLASS Award The Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award is an annual college athletic award in the NCAA Division I. Qualified competitors must be seniors who have remained within their NCAA Division I college for a four-year commitment and achieved excellence in one of nine sports..... ( Outstanding Senior NCAA Division I Student-Athlete) |
Jake Coffman | Sr. |
All MAC
| Team | Player | Position | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Chandler Harnish | QB | JR. |
| 1st | Scott Wedige | C | JR. |
| 1st | Trevor Olson | OT | JR. |
| 1st | Chad Spann | TB | SR. |
| 1st | Sean Progar | DE | SO. |
| 1st | Chris Smith | CB | SR. |
| 2nd | Joe Pawlak | OL | JR. |
| 2nd | Jake Coffman | DE | SR. |
| 3rd | Jason Schepler | TE | JR. |
| 3rd | Landon Cox | WR | SR. |
| 3rd | Alex Kube | LB | SR. |
| 3rd | Devon Butler | LB | SO. |
| 3rd | Tommy Davis | KR | SO. |
Schedule
- Average Home Attendance: 17,760 (59.1%)
Scores by quarter
Source:
Rankings
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AP | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 24 | RV | RV |
| Coaches | RV | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | RV | RV | RV | RV | RV | 23 | RV | RV |
| Harris | Not released | - | - | - | RV | RV | RV | 24 | RV | |||||||
| BCS | Not released | - | - | - | - | - | - | 25 | - | |||||||
Iowa State
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 2004 | ISU, 48-41 |
Despite being without the services of starting QB Chandler Harnish, the Huskies pulled within a touchdown midway through the 4th quarter on a 1 yard touchdown run by backup signal caller DeMarcus Grady. But an Iowa State touchdown drive immediately thereafter put the game away for the Cyclones.
North Dakota
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 | 1965 | ND, 37-20 |
- Hours after the 23-17 win against North Dakota, Coach Jerry KillJerry KillJerry Kill is the head football coach at the University of Minnesota. Before assuming this position with the Golden Gophers in December 2010, Kill served as the head coach at Saginaw Valley State University , Emporia State University , Southern Illinois University Carbondale , and Northern...
was hospitalized for dehydration. He would be released and return to coach the Huskies against Illinois the following week.
Illinois
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 0-3 | 2001 | U of I, 17-12 |
The Huskie defense was scorched on the ground, allowing 319 rushing yards to the Fighting Illini, and NIU star tailback Chad Spann was held to only 15 yards on 13 carries. QB Chandler Harnish had a strong performance, but lost a fumble in Illinois territory in the 4th quarter that proved to be costly.
- P-Josh Wilber was named the Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Special Teams Player of the Week. Wilber Averaged 49.0 yards on five punts, with 3 punt's over 50 yards.
Minnesota
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 0-2 | 2008 | MINN, 31-27 |
The win was the third over a Big Ten school in the history of the program, and the second in as many years.
- RBRunning backA running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
-Chad Spann was named Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Offensive Player of the Week and Walter Camp Football FoundationWalter Camp Football FoundationThe Walter Camp Football Foundation is one of the organizations whose College Football All-America Team is recognized by the NCAA. The organization also presents various awards.-Awards:*Walter Camp Player of the Year*CT Player of the Year...
Player of the Week. Spann rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.
Akron
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 6-5 | 2009 | NIU, 27-10 |
- QBQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
-Chandler Harnish was named Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Offensive Player of the Week. Harnish completed 16-of-20 passes for 281 yards and three touchdowns in three quarters of action while leading the Huskies to a 50-14 victory at Akron.
Temple
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 3-2-1 | 2007 | TEM, 16-15 |
In a matchup of preseason MAC favorites, the Huskies took over in the second half thanks in large part to a dominant and balanced offensive performance that wore the Owls down on a warm day in DeKalb.
- QBQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
-Chandler Harnish was named Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Offensive Player of the Week. Harnish accounted for 282 yards of total offense with 211 yards passing and 71 rushing in Northern Illinois' 31-17 victory over Temple.
Buffalo
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 5-1 | 2006 | NIU, 31-13 |
- S-Jimmie Ward was named Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Special Teams Player of the Week. The Freshman from Mobile, Alabama recorded his second blocked punt of the season in a 45-14 win over Buffalo.
Central Michigan
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 12-12 | 2009 | CMU, 45-31 |
NIU continues its 2nd-half dominance against MAC foes, not allowing a point in the 2nd half for the third straight week.
- LBLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
- Tyrone Clark was named Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Defensive Player of the Week. Clark picked off two passes in Northern Illinois' 33-7 win over Central Michigan. Clark’s two interceptions came in the second quarter, both coming off of tipped balls.
Western Michigan
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 12-22 | 2009 | NIU, 38-3 |
Quarterback Chandler Harnish found Willie Clark with a 21-yard TD pass with 3:42 to play to lift the Huskies (7-2, 5-0 Mid-American Conference) to their six straight victory, their longest winning streak since 2004.
- DEDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
- Jake Coffman was named Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Defensive Player of the Week. Coffman came down with a win-clinching interception during the Huskies' 28-21 victory at Western Michigan. Coffman also had four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack.
Toledo
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 8-28 | 2009 | TOL, 20-19 |
Toledo could not hold on against NIU's offense as the Huskies dominated the Rockets with Chad Spann scoring 3 touchdowns and Chandler Harnish going 11-of-16 for 162 yards. The Huskies (8-2, 6-0 Mid-American) now have a 7-game winning streak and are edging closer to the MAC championship.
- QBQuarterbackQuarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
-Chandler Harnish was named Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Offensive Player of the Week for the third time this season. He went 11-of-16 for 162 yards and rushed for 149 yards as well as scoring a touchdown on a 28-yard run.
Ball State
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 13-19-1 | 2009 | NIU, 26-20 |
While winning its eighth straight game and clinching the Mid-American Conference West Division title , the Northern Illinois Huskies excelled on offense, defense and special teams en route to a 59-21 victory.
- LBLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
- Jordan Delegal was named Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Special Teams Player of the Week. Delegal blocked two punts in a 59-21 win at Ball State and the Huskies set a school record with three blocked punts in the game.
Eastern Michigan
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 16-5-2 | 2009 | NIU, 50-6 |
The Huskies had 654 yards on 46 plays, rushing for 552 yards, with most of the starters on the sideline for the second half. The Huskies (10-2, 8-0 MAC) swept MAC play for the first time in school history and will play Miami (8-4, 7-1) in the MAC Championship. It was the 5th most points scored by the Huskies in school History.
- DEDefensive endDefensive end is the name of a defensive position in the sport of American and Canadian football.This position has designated the players at each end of the defensive line, but changes in formations have substantially changed how the position is played over the years...
- Jake Coffman was named Mid-American ConferenceMid-American ConferenceThe Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
West Division Defensive Player of the Week. Coffman finished with five solo tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble as he led the way for Northern Illinois 71-3 win at Eastern Michigan.
MAC Championship: Miami (OH)
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 7-7 | 2009 | NIU 27-22 |
Armand Robinson caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Austin Boucher with 33 seconds remaining, lifting Miami to a stunning 26-21 upset of No. 25 Northern Illinois in the 2010 Marathon MAC Championship Game at Ford Field. The win marked the second time the RedHawks had won the league title game and completed a worst-to-first league finish.
2010 uDrove Humanitarian Bowl: Fresno State
| Overall Record | Last Meeting | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2-2 | 1991 | Fresno 55-7 |