2006 Northern Illinois Huskies Football Preview

Welcome to Maddux's 2006 Northern Illinois Huskies season preview. As usual we have taken the time to break down the team, while providing information about the university, and the 2006 Northern Illinois Huskies Football Schedule. If you are wagering on college football this season consider using Maddux Sports' College football picks for the added edge over the sportsbooks in 2006. In addition be sure to visit our college football odds line service for the upcoming season.

Coach: Joe Novak (11th year at Northern Illinois)
Team Name: Huskies
2005 Overall Record: 7-5
2005 MAC Record 6-2
Returning Starters: 12

Northern Illinois is a team on the rise and this season should be better than last, when they came within 10 seconds of winning the school’s first MAC championship. The Huskies sport 13 returning players and a lot of new talent.

The core of the offense includes senior RB Garret Wolfe (242 CARR, 1,580 YDS, 16 TDs) and senior QB Phil Horvath (168 COMP, 238 ATT, 2,001 YDS, 18 TDs, 8 INTS). Also, backup quarterback Dan Nicholson was exemplary when Horvath was sidelined last season. Wolfe, the country’s returning leading rusher, is ailing from shoulder surgery and until he’s totally healed, will be used more as a receiver for his big play capability.

Although some of their best receivers are gone, sophomore Britt Davis (42 REC, 441 YDS, 3 TDs) takes over and leads a group of good ball catchers. Senior Doug Free, a standout, will anchor the relatively inexperienced but solid line.

The Hansbro brothers are both back at the corners and Dustin Utschig (121 tackles, 3 INTS) offers solid play at FS. Sophomore MLB Tim McCarthy had 101 tackles as a freshman starter. Two sound sophomores who saw playing time last season join him at LB.

This may be the best team in the MAC. They can prove that by beating division rival Toledo. The Huskies can score points and will contend for the MAC championship and a bowl berth.

Northern Illinois Huskies 2006 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Sep 2	Ohio State	Road
Sep 9	Ohio	Home
Sep 16	Buffalo	Home
Sep 23	Indiana State	Home
Sep 30	Ball State	Road
Oct 7	Miami Ohio	Road
Oct 14	Western Michigan	Road
Oct 21	Temple	Home
Oct 28	Iowa	Road
Nov 7	Toledo	Home
Nov 17	Central Michigan	Home
Nov 24	Eastern Michigan	Road

 

For more data on the 2006 Northern Illinois football program, view the Huskies team website or check out some more schools below.