Northern Illinois

What You Need To Know

The Huskies return plenty of experience on the offensive line which should help sophomore QB Chandler Harnish and RB Me’co Brown.  The team could rely heavily on the running game early on as they look to break in a new set of wide receivers (five WRs were lost to graduation).

Best Fantasy Prospect(s)

Chandler Harnish is your typical dual threat quarterback.  He led the team in rushing last fall with 539 yards.  Good rushing numbers for a QB.  Bad numbers for a team leader.

Sleeper Prospect

Me’co Brown has a good chance of being the feature back this fall.  He was second to Harnish in rushing a year ago, despite completely falling off the map in the final four games.  Brown was the only RB to make it through the spring without injury, and he took advantage of the situation and performed admirably.

Biggest Question Heading into August

Can NIU find a couple receivers to step up?  They lost their top 5 WRs from 2008.  Youngsters Marcus Lewis, Landon Cox and Nate Palmer will need to grow up in a hurry to take the pressure of Harnish and the running game.

Spring Game Hero

Me’co Brown rushed 18 times for 145 yards, including a 55-yard TD jaunt.

Injury Report

The RB corps was hit with the injury bug this spring.  Justin Anderson, Alan Smith and Chad Spann all missed time, allowing Me’co Brown to rise up the depth chart.

Spring Recaps - Team Index