2010 Northern Illinois Huskies football team

2010 Northern Illinois Huskies football
MAC West Division champion
Humanitarian Bowl champion
ConferenceMid-American Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record11–3 (8–0 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMatt Limegrover (3rd season)
Defensive coordinatorTracy Claeys (3rd season)
MVPChandler Harnish
CaptainJake Coffman, Landon Cox, Ricky Crider, Chandler Harnish, Alex Kube, Trevor Olson, Jason Schepler, Tracy Wilson
Home stadiumHuskie Stadium[1]
Seasons
← 2009
2011 →
2010 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
East Division
Miami (OH) x$   7 – 1     10 – 4  
Ohio   6 – 2     8 – 5  
Temple   5 – 3     8 – 4  
Kent State   4 – 4     5 – 7  
Bowling Green   1 – 7     2 – 10  
Buffalo   1 – 7     2 – 10  
Akron   1 – 7     1 – 11  
West Division
Northern Illinois x   8 – 0     11 – 3  
Toledo   7 – 1     8 – 5  
Western Michigan   5 – 3     6 – 6  
Ball State   3 – 5     4 – 8  
Central Michigan   2 – 6     3 – 9  
Eastern Michigan   2 – 6     2 – 10  
Championship: Miami 26, Northern Illinois 21
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions

The 2010 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Huskies compiled an overall record of 11–3 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning the MAC's West Division title. The team advanced to the MAC Championship, where they lost the Miami RedHawks. Northern Illinois was invited to the Humanitarian Bowl, where they defeated Fresno State. The Huskies were led by third-year head coach Jerry Kill during the regular season and for the MAC title game before KIll resigned to become the head football coach at the University of Minnesota. Tom Matukewicz was appointed interim head coach for the bowl game.[2] The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

The season was the third consecutive in which Northern Illinois played in a bowl game. The team's victory in the Humanitarian Bowl was first bowl game win for the Huskies since the 2004 Silicon Valley Football Classic.

Preseason

NIU was considered the favorite in the Pre-season Poll to win the West Division for the MAC.

Recruiting

US college sports recruiting information for 2010 recruits
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Tyler Anderson
K 		Rockford, IL Guilford H.S. 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 186 lb (84 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 72
Greg Barksdale
LB/S 		University Park, IL Crete-Monee H.S 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 4.6 Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 76
Jamaal Bass
LB 		Miramar, FL Miramar H.S 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 4.5 Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 73
Matt Battaglia
OT 		Chicago, IL Harper JC 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 270 lb (120 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Frank Boenzi
DT 		Geneva, IL Geneva H.S 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 290 lb (130 kg) - Dec 7, 2009 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 72
Da'Ron Brown
WR 		Chicago, IL Morgan Park H.S 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 4.7 Jan 13, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
C.J. Compher
TE 		Sycamore, IL Sycamore H.S 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 230 lb (100 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Akeem Daniels
CB 		Kissimmee, FL Osceola H.S 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 170 lb (77 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Dechane Durante
LB / S 		Charlotte, NC Vance High School 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 4.5 Feb 1, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Luke Eakes
TE 		Kinsley, KS St. Mary's H.S 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 230 lb (100 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Michael Gegner
C 		Indianapolis, IN Warren Central 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 265 lb (120 kg) - Dec 16, 2009 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Zak Giller
S 		Unadilla Township, Michigan Chelsea H.S 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Blake Goodell
G/DT 		Traverse City, MI Traverse City West 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 270 lb (120 kg) - Dec 15, 2009 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Marckie Hayes
S 		Sycamore, IL Sycamore H.S 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) 180 lb (82 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Mike Hellams
LB 		Bolingbrook, IL Bolingbrook H.S 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 220 lb (100 kg) - Jun 15, 2009 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Jasmin Hopkins
RB 		Fort Scott, KS Fort Scott C.C 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 185 lb (84 kg) - Jan 31, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Tyler Loos
OT 		Sterling, IL Sterling H.S 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 270 lb (120 kg) 5.4 Jan 11, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 73
Tyler Pitt
OT 		McRae, GA Telfair County 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 278 lb (126 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Michael Santacaterina
S 		Geneva, IL Geneva H.S 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 210 lb (95 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 40
Mat Sims
K 		Hannibal, MO Hannibal H.S 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 180 lb (82 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 73
Cameron Stingily
LB 		Romeoville, IL Romeoville H.S 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 230 lb (100 kg) - Dec 11, 2009 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 71
Demetrius Stone
S 		Coffeyville, KS Coffeyville CC 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 4.7 Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Casey Weston
QB 		Senatobia, MS Northwest Mississippi CC 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 215 lb (98 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: N/A
Joe Windsor
DE 		Kearney, MO Kearney H.S 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 225 lb (102 kg) - Feb 3, 2010 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:2/5 stars   Rivals:2/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 70
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 103   Rivals: 4/13 in MAC
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2010 NIU Commits". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  • "2010 NIU Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  • "2010 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
  • Recruited Jasmin Hopkins from Fort Scott Community College where he rushed for 1,931 yards on 300 carries and recorded 18 touchdowns in his Sophomore campaign.[3]

Notable returning players

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
September 27:00 p.m.at Iowa State*
CSNCL 10–2743,116[4]
September 116:00 p.m.North Dakota*
W 23–1718,046[5]
September 1811:00 a.m.at Illinois*
BTNL 22–2850,569[6]
September 257:30 p.m.at Minnesota*
BTNW 34–2349,368[7]
October 25:00 p.m.at Akron
W 50–1412,133[8]
October 911:00 a.m.Temple
  • Huskie Stadium
  • DeKalb, IL
ESPN PlusW 31–1714,011[9]
October 162:30 p.m.Buffalodagger
  • Huskie Stadium
  • DeKalb, IL
W 45–1421,230[10]
October 233:05 p.m.Central Michigan
  • Huskie Stadium
  • DeKalb, IL
CSNC/ESPN3W 33–717,042[11]
October 3011:00 a.m.at Western Michigan
ESPN+W 28–2112,578[12]
November 96:00 p.m.Toledo
  • Huskie Stadium
  • DeKalb, IL
ESPN2W 65–3018,472
November 2012:00 p.m.at Ball State
W 59–215,524[13]
November 2611:00 a.m.at Eastern Michigan
W 71–35,147[14]
December 37:00 p.m.vs. Miami (OH)No. 24
ESPN2L 21–2612,031[15]
December 184:30 p.m.vs. Fresno State*
ESPNW 40–1725,449[16]
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Rankings

See also: 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP————————RVRVRVRVRV24RVRV
CoachesRV———————RVRVRVRVRV23RVRV
HarrisNot released———RVRVRV24RVNot released
BCSNot released——————25—Not released

Game summaries

Iowa State

See also: 2010 Iowa State Cyclones football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 0 0 3 7 10
Cyclones 7 10 0 10 27

Despite being without the services of starting quarterback Chandler Harnish, the Huskies pulled within a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter on a one-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

See also: North Dakota Fighting Sioux football
1 2 3 4 Total
Fighting Sioux 0 7 7 3 17
Huskies 13 3 0 7 23

Hours after the 23–17 win against North Dakota, head coach Jerry Kill was hospitalized for dehydration. He was released and returned to coach the Huskies against Illinois the following week.[17]

Illinois

See also: 2010 Illinois Fighting Illini football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 12 0 0 10 22
Fighting Illini 7 11 0 10 28

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. Harnish had a strong performance, but lost a fumble in Illinois territory in the fourth quarter that proved to be costly. Punter Josh Wilber was named the MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week. He averaged 49.0 yards on five punts, with three punts over 50 yards.[18]

Minnesota

See also: 2010 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 7 13 0 14 34
Golden Gophers 3 10 3 7 23

The win was the third over a Big Ten school in the history of the program, and the second in as many years. Spann was named MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week and Walter Camp Football Foundation Player of the Week. He rushed for 223 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.

Akron

See also: 2010 Akron Zips football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 6 23 14 7 50
Zips 7 0 7 0 14

Harnish was named MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week. He 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.[19]

Temple

See also: 2010 Temple Owls football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Owls 7 10 0 0 17
Huskies 7 10 7 7 31

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.

Harnish was named MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week. Harnish accounted for 282 yards of total offense with 211 yards passing and 71 rushing in NIU's 31–17 victory over Temple.[20]

Buffalo

See also: 2010 Buffalo Bulls football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Bulls 0 14 0 0 14
Huskies 0 21 10 14 45

Safety Jimmie Ward was named MAC 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.[21]

Central Michigan

See also: 2010 Central Michigan Chippewas football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Chippewas 0 7 0 0 7
Huskies 3 6 14 10 33

Northern Illinois continued its second-half dominance against MAC foes, not allowing a point after halftime for the third straight week. Linebacker Tyrone Clark was named Mid-American Conference West Division Defensive Player of the Week. Clark picked off two passes in the Huskies' 33–7 win over Central Michigan. His two interceptions both came in the second quarter off of tipped balls.

Western Michigan

See also: 2010 Western Michigan Broncos football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 0 13 7 8 28
Broncos 7 7 0 7 21

Harnish found Willie Clark with a 21-yard TD pass with 3:42 to play to lift the Huskies to their six straight victory, their longest winning streak since 2004. Defensive end Jake Coffman was named MAC 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.[22]

Toledo

See also: 2010 Toledo Rockets football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Rockets 0 0 23 7 30
Huskies 7 21 28 9 65

Toledo could not hold on against Northern Illinois's offense as the Huskies dominated the Rockets with Spann scoring three touchdowns and Harnish going 11-of-16 for 162 yards. Harnish was named MAC 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.[23]

Ball State

See also: 2010 Ball State Cardinals football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 14 21 10 14 59
Cardinals 0 7 14 0 21

While winning their eighth straight game and clinching the MAC West Division title, the Huskies excelled on offense, defense, and special teams in a 59–21 victory. Llinebacker Jordan Delegal was named MAC West Division Special Teams Player of the Week. He blocked two punts as the Huskies set a school record with three blocked punts in the game.[24]

Eastern Michigan

See also: 2010 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Huskies 20 17 21 13 71
Eagles 0 3 0 0 3

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 swept MAC play for the first time in school history and will play Miami (8-4, 7-1) in the MAC Championship. The 71 points was the fifth most scored by the Huskies in program history. Coffman was named MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week. He finished with five solo tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.[25]

MAC Championship: Miami (OH)

See also: 2010 Miami RedHawks football team
1 2 3 4 Total
RedHawks 13 0 7 6 26
#25 Huskies 14 0 0 7 21

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 NIU in the 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.

Humanitarian Bowl: Fresno State

See also: 2010 Fresno State Bulldogs football team
1 2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs 7 3 0 7 17
Huskies 6 17 10 7 40

Scores by quarter

1 2 3 4 Total
NIU 103 148 114 127 492
Opponents 51 86 61 50 248

[26]

Postseason awards

Award watch lists

Award Player Year
Doak Walker Award[27] (Outstanding Running Back) Chad Spann Sr.
Lowe's Senior CLASS Award[28] (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.

[29][30]

References

  1. ^ "2010 Northern Illinois Football Media Guide" (PDF). Northern Illinois University. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 14, 2015. Retrieved August 18, 2012.
  2. ^ "Tom Matukewicz named NIU football interim head coach | NIU Today". Archived from the original on December 17, 2010. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
  3. ^ "Northern Illinois Huskies Football - Northern Illinois Official Athletic Site". Archived from the original on September 15, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  4. ^ "Iowa State Cyclones vs. NIU Huskies Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  5. ^ "North Dakota vs. Northern Illinois - Box Score - September 11, 2010 - ESPN".
  6. ^ "Northern Illinois vs. Illinois - Box Score - September 18, 2010 - ESPN".
  7. ^ "Northern Illinois vs. Minnesota - Box Score - September 25, 2010 - ESPN".
  8. ^ "Northern Illinois vs. Akron - Box Score - October 2, 2010 - ESPN".
  9. ^ "Temple vs. Northern Illinois - Box Score - October 9, 2010 - ESPN".
  10. ^ "Buffalo vs. Northern Illinois - Box Score - October 16, 2010 - ESPN".
  11. ^ "Central Michigan vs. Northern Illinois - Box Score - October 23, 2010 - ESPN".
  12. ^ "Northern Illinois vs. Western Michigan - Box Score - October 30, 2010 - ESPN".
  13. ^ "Northern Illinois vs. Ball State - Box Score - November 20, 2010 - ESPN".
  14. ^ "Watch TV Online, Stream Episodes and Movies | Xfinity Stream".
  15. ^ "Northern Illinois vs. Miami (OH) - Box Score - December 3, 2010 - ESPN".
  16. ^ "NIU Huskies vs. Fresno State Bulldogs Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved December 19, 2010.
  17. ^ "Huskie Wire | Kill hospitalized". Archived from the original on September 23, 2010. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  18. ^ "MAC players of the week". The Columbus Dispatch. September 23, 2010.
  19. ^ "MAC Names Football Players of the Week - MAC-Sports.com—Official Web Site of the Mid-American Conference". Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  20. ^ "- MAC-Sports.com Official Web Site of the Mid-American Conference". Archived from the original on November 11, 2010. Retrieved October 23, 2010.
  21. ^ "15 Jimmie Ward". Northern Illinois University Athletics.
  22. ^ "Huskie Wire | Coffman wins MAC West defensive honor". Archived from the original on July 12, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2010.
  23. ^ "NIU's Harnish grabs MAC honor". November 15, 2010.
  24. ^ "Roy Webb (TheSTN) – MAC Week 12 Football Players Of The Week | sportstalkNETWORK.com - CLEVELAND Blog". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved November 27, 2010.
  25. ^ "Mid American Conference | sportstalkNETWORK.com - CLEVELAND Blog - Part 3". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  26. ^ "Huskies Complete 2010 Non-Conference Football Schedule - NORTHERN ILLINOIS OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". Archived from the original on September 6, 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
  27. ^ "2010 National College Football Awards Association Watch Lists" (PDF). NCAA.
  28. ^ "Jake Coffman | Football 2010 | Senior CLASS Award".
  29. ^ "201012011297 | MAC announces 2010 football awards | Football". Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
  30. ^ "Northern Illinois Official Athletic Site - Football". www.niuhuskies.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2022.