The Indianapolis Star - Wolfe

The Indianapolis Star: Out of reach

"I don't think anybody from Northern Illinois or anywhere else in the MAC is going to win the Heisman, even if he's hands-down the best player in the country, because of political realities," ESPN analyst Bill Curry said.

Although Wolfe appears on Heisman watch lists, it will be difficult to overtake favorites such as quarterbacks Troy Smith of Ohio State or Brady Quinn of Notre Dame.

"He just won't. Not to say he shouldn't," CBS Sportsline columnist Dennis Dodd said.

Game Previews

The Chicago Sun-Times: Novak, NIU refuse to take Ball State lightly

Daily Herald: Huskies surf into matchup with Ball State

The Chicago Tribune: 3 victories at end of road for Huskies?

The Chicago Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times: NIU obstacle: 3 in a road

Consider this: Since Novak's masterful ways took complete hold in 2002, NIU is 13-3 in MAC home games -- and also 13-3 in MAC play away from home. Dating to 2004, the Huskies have won seven of their last eight regular-season conference road games, with the only loss a 48-42 overtime decision against eventual MAC champion Akron last September.

Chicago Sun-Times - Wolfe Heisman

Chicago Sun-Times: Will Wolfe take Manhattan?

And -- through the soft lens -- what about Wolfe's chances to win the Heisman?

"Why not?" Cole said. "If he stays healthy, continues to lead the nation in rushing and has a big game at Iowa [on Oct. 28], he certainly should be invited to New York as a finalist. Right now, if I had to cast my vote, Troy Smith would be my top selection and Garrett would be No. 2."

Chicago Sun-Times: Garrett Wolfe's unlikely star trek

He may or may not win the Heisman Memorial Trophy in December as the country's best college football player. He leads the nation in rushing and all-purpose yards for the Northern Illinois Huskies. He is 5-7 and 177 pounds and all about focus, determination and the grace of whatever prompting spirit passes for God in North Austin.

And wherever his next route might take him, Wolfe never will forget the bus rides.

''I used to daydream, daydream to survive,'' he now says. ''I mainly daydreamed about having a car. It seemed that everyone at Holy Cross had a car, or at least a ride home after practice. Everyone but me.

The Courier News - Wolfe

The Courier News: Wolfe makes defenses see red

Garrett Wolfe usually leaves opponents seeing red, angrily pounding the turf after he has eluded their grasp, turned on the afterburners and piled up big yardage on another running play.

This year, they're literally seeing red, at least on those rare occasions they're able to hold onto him long enough to look him in the eye.

"They make me look like a devil, don't you think," the nation's leading rusher said with an impish grin recently. He was talking about the Nike Sport tinted contacts he now wears on game days.

BALL STATE - SEPT 30 at 5:30 CT

This week the Huskies (2-2, 1-1 MAC) take on the Ball State Cardinals (1-3, 1-0 MAC). The game is at 5:30 CT. It has been announced the Northern Illinois - Ball State Football Game to Air Live in DeKalb and Rochelle will be on Comcast channel 74.

Are we going to a bar or watching the game at someone's house?

GAMEDAY: NIU Game Preview and Depth Chart
GAMEDAY: Ball State Game Preview and Depth Chart

BALL STATE FACTS:

Location: Muncie, IN

Founded: 1918

First Year of Football: 1924

All Time Football Record: 377-343-32

All Time vs NIU: 18-13-2

Last meeting (2005 at NIU): Ball St. 31-17

BALL STATE LINKS:

Football Website

Roster

Schedule/Results

Season Statistics

Week 1: BSU 38, Eastern Mich. 20

Week 2: Indiana 24, BSU 23

Week 3: Purdue 38, BSU 28

Week 4: Football Team Suffers Close Loss to North Dakota State

Chicago Sun-Times - Wolfe

Chicago Sun-Times: NIU won't get saucy with Wolfe

The perception that Northern Illinois has not mounted a proper campaign to push tailback Garrett Wolfe for the Heisman Trophy took center stage Tuesday during the program's regular midweek media session. Both Wolfe and coach Joe Novak -- with varying degrees of vehemence -- addressed the growing phalanx of critics.

Chicago Tribune - Wolfe

Chicago Tribune: Wolfe, NIU let stats do talking (this is the whole story)

There won't be a big Heisman Trophy campaign for Northern Illinois star tailback Garrett Wolfe and the Chicago senior is fine with that.

NIU is filling reporters' e-mail baskets with Wolfe notes and stats--he's No. 1 in the nation in rushing average (207) and all-purpose yards (246)--but no Heisman gimmicks.

"I don't want to be taken out of context and I really don't want to be misunderstood: I firmly believe our sports information department has done an unbelievable job in handling things for myself," Wolfe said Tuesday. "I'm not mad a bit about not having a Heisman Trophy campaign. I'm a long shot to win that award. That's not the focus of my teammates. . . . The main focus we share is to win football games. A Heisman campaign is not important."

Chicago Sun-Times - Wolfe

Chicago Sun-Times: Wolfe a runaway leader in I-A

Despite sitting out the final 26 minutes of Northern Illinois' 48-14 victory over visiting Indiana State on Saturday, Garrett Wolfe continued to draw away from the pack in Division I-A rushing.

Wolfe gained 198 yards on 22 carries and actually saw his per-game average dip from 210 to 207. But he is almost 50 yards per game ahead of second-place Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma (160.8) and more than 50 in front of third-place Ian Johnson of Boise State (156.5). The Big Ten's best is No. 9 Michael Hart of Michigan (119.25).

Indiana State Pictures are Posted

Indiana State Pictures

FoxSports.com

FoxSports.com - Eric Moneypenny:

THIS WEEK'S OBSCURE DREAM MATCHUP: The first few weeks of the season, I'd been keeping my eye on I-AA Indi-ana State's boxscores, mainly because their opponents put up piles of points and mounds of yards (funny how that works). Purdue beat the Sycamores 60-35, while Murray State also got figurative leg cramps from going up and down the field so much in a 59-40 win. On the other hand, I'd also been keeping my pupils fixed on Northern Illinois, as each Saturday, NIU's senior scatback Garrett Wolfe seemingly compiles as many rushing yards as I do pizza calories.

So, you know I'd have the satellite dish tuned to the Northern Illinois-Indiana State matchup, in great anticipation of Garrett Wolfe's rushing for two, maybe three hundred yards against the hapless Sycamore defense.

Wolfe didn't disappoint, tearing off 119 yards and 4 TDs only SIXTEEN minutes into the game. After that start, and with NIU up 38-0 at the half, Wolfe didn't need many more reps, but he kept his season chase for 2,000 yards very much alive with 198 yards and 4 TDs in the 48-14 win.

The Chicago Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times: Huskies, Wolfe looking good

It took off on the first play from scrimmage, when the Sycamores showed why they have been playing under dark clouds almost as long as Pigpen. From his 14, quarterback Reilly Murphy lofted a toss into the right flat to running back Tony West. The ball fell to the turf. The Sycamores, thinking incompletion, backed off like it was fresh spinach, allowing NIU defensive end Ken West to scoop it up and run it in.

Thirty-four seconds into the game, the officials ruled it was a live lateral and touchdown for NIU. Upon review, their decision stood. Upon further review -- after the game -- West, once a burly-dawg running back at Thornwood, declared: ''We practice scoopin' and scorin' every day in practice. I don't think I've run for a touchdown since the Shepard game back in 2001.''

The Chicago Tribune

The Chicago Trubune: I-AA Sycamores have no defense for Wolfe, Huskies

Indiana State proved to be little more than a speed bump Saturday as Northern Illinois tuned up for a critical trip with a blowout victory.

Tailback Garrett Wolfe scored four touchdowns and rushed for 198 yards as the Huskies evened their record at 2-2 with a 48-14 non-conference victory over Indiana State (0-4).

Daily Herald

Daily Herald: NIU deals Indiana St. 21st straight loss

“I looked over at the other sideline and I remembered us nine years ago,” Novak said. “I’ve been there. I know how hard that is. That’s one thing I don’t want to ever forget. That’s what motivates me more than anything else.”

Terre Haute Tribune Star - ISU paper

Terre Haute Tribune Star: Sycamores no match for Northern Illinois

In Indiana State’s three previous football losses this season, the Sycamores excited their fans with offensive firepower and big plays in scoring 96 points.

But they showed little firepower and no big plays Saturday afternoon in dropping a 48-14 decision to Division I-A Northern Illinois at Huskie Field.

NIU’s Heisman Trophy contender Garrett Wolfe rushed for four touchdowns and 198 yards on 22 carries in a little more than two quarters of action. He also caught four passes for 42 yards.

Northwest Herald

Northwest Herald: Wolfe scores 4 TDs as NIU rolls

NIU's defense scored on the game's first play from scrimmage, and Garrett Wolfe ran, pretty much, wherever he wanted for the rest of the way in the Huskies' 48-14 rout of NCAA Division I-AA Indiana State, which has lost 21 consecutive games.

Northwest Herald - Wolfe

Here's an interesting article on Wolfe from the Northwest Herald: Wolfe for Heisman?

Dennis Dodd, a college football columnist for CBS Sportsline since 1998, has a Heisman vote.

"Garrett Wolfe is absolutely a Heisman candidate," Dodd said this past week in an e-mail.

"Those who think he isn't haven't watched college football," Dodd added.

Sports Illustrated had a good article on Wolfe that I posted last Friday.

Sports Illustrated - Wolfe

Sports Illustrated: N. Illinois sprite RB Garrett Wolfe is quickly making a name for himself as nation's leading rusher

But the earrings stay behind. Not two steps into the conference room, Wolfe removes two chunky studs from his lobes. He cups them in his hands. He did the same thing at a preseason media event in downtown Chicago and at the Playboy All-American photo shoot over the summer.

A lodestar Division I-A athlete voluntarily de-blinging for decorum's sake? A nice story -- if it were wholly accurate. A kid from Chicago's West Side daily navigating a minefield of drugs and gangs to make good? That would be a nice story too, if it were that bleak.

In reality, Novak's stated preference for all players is no jewelry. And the Wolfes kept their son busy enough with Park District and YMCA teams that Garrett was left with little time to explore the ills of their neighborhood. What you're left with is Northern Illinois' Wolfe, one of the best running backs in the nation, if only everyone outside this burg of 40,000 knew

The Northern Star - Wolfe

The Northern Star: Wolfe center of attention

The 5-foot-7 back leads the nation with 210.0 yards per game. That's over 38 yards better than second place Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma.

Yet Wolfe is ranked seventh in the Heisman watch by ESPN. Five spots below Peterson.

Rockford Register Star

Rockford Register Star: Wolfe in NIU clothing leads nation in rushing

Regarding Wolfe's Heisman chances...

In my opinion, anything over 2,000 should get him to the presentation ceremony, unless a lot more talent steps forward down the road.

If you’re talking over 2,200 yards, the Chicago native should walk with the biggest prize in college football, the Heisman, and it should also make him the most famous man in DeKalb for a long time.

Two Key Injuries

Daily Chronicle: Clanton, McCarthy out for Saturday's game

The sophomore tailback's status for the year is up in the air. Clanton could be lost for the season after tearing his meniscus in Northern Illinois' 31-13 victory over Buffalo. Clanton, who is Garrett Wolfe's backup, ran for 93 yards and one touchdown (58 yards) on 10 carries.

CollegeFootballNews.com - Wolfe

CollegeFootballNews.com: Wolfe focused on leaving a winner

But he remains unsatisfied because the Huskies (1-2) haven't beaten enough opponents.

"As hard as it may be to believe, there is no personal satisfaction," Wolfe said. "The only personal satisfaction I get is being a winner. I want people to associate me with winning games. There are statistical giants with losing teams, but I don't want my name to bear that."

On (and off) the Mark

From ESPN.com (Mark Schlabach)

With Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn all but falling out of the Heisman Trophy race after the Fighting Irish's embarrassing 47-21 loss to Michigan on Saturday, college football's premier individual award is up for grabs. Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith and tailbacks Steve Slaton of West Virginia and Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma have to be considered the front-runners at this point, but what about Garrett Wolfe of Northern Illinois?

Garrett Wolfe is averaging 210 rushing yards per game.Wolfe ran 24 times for 263 yards in Saturday's 31-13 win over Buffalo (the eighth 200-yard effort of his career) and leads the nation in rushing with 210 yards per game. Wolfe is averaging 38.3 yards more than Peterson and his rushing average is higher than that of 103 of 118 Division I-A teams, including top 10 teams Ohio State, USC, Auburn, Georgia and Michigan.

At his current pace, Wolfe would finish the season with more than 2,500 rushing yards. Barry Sanders ran for 2,628 yards at Oklahoma State and won the Heisman Trophy in 1988

FYI...if you didn't hear, the Bears signed Dan Sheldon to their practice squad.

INDIANA STATE - SEPT 23 AT 2:05

This week the Huskies (1-2, 1-1 MAC) take on the Indiana State Sycamores (0-3, 0-0 Gateway). The game is at 2:05 so the tailgate lot will open at 9:00. The general parking lots will open at 10:30. Be at Fatty’s by 8:45 if you're parking in the tailgate area. Post a comment to let everyone know if you'll be at Fatty's.

Bad News/Good News One: The weather is looking a little bit "ify" but, Joe found his tent so we'll still have three of them to help us stay dry. Don't forget to bring your rain gear for the game.

Bad News/Good News Two: No Kip this week but, Mark will be back to tend to the grill.

Here's a quote from MSNBC. You can find the link to the story on the right of the page in the Heisman Polls section.

Next game (vs. Indiana State, 9/23): It’s possible Wolfe could run for a million yards this game. Really.

Indiana State has the worst rushing defense in 1-AA, giving up an average of 290 yards a game. If Wolfe could run for 171 vs. Ohio State …

WEATHER: DeKalb Weather

TAILGATING: Meet at Fatty's by 8:45 otherwise, see the Football Parking Map to find the Cardinal Lot.

GAMEDAY: NIU Game Preview and Depth Chart
GAMEDAY: Indiana State Game Preview and Depth Chart

INDIANA STATE FACTS:

Location: Terre Haute, IN

Founded: 1865

First Year of Football: 1896

All Time Football Record: 344-435-24

All Time vs NIU: 5-3

Last meeting (1976 at Indiana St.): Indiana St. 28-10

INDIANA STATE LINKS:

Football Website

Roster

Schedule/Results

Season Statistics

Indiana State Media Guide

Week 1: Indiana State Falls in Valian Effort at Purdue

Week 2: Indiana State Loses Lead, Falls at Eastern Illinois

Week 3: Sycamores get Strong Offensive Effort Against Murray State in Home Opener

Buffalo Pictures Are Posted

Buffalo Pictures

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Sun-Times: Wolfe second on NIU rushing list

The 5-7, 177-pound senior rushed for 263 yards to boost his career total to 3,916, second on NIU's all-time list. At his current pace -- 210 per game -- Wolfe will pass Michael Turner's standard of 4,941 yards on Oct. 21 against Temple.

The Spectrum (University at Buffalo)

The Spectrum: Wolfe bites the Bulls

"He's one of the best because of his size," said senior Buffalo linebacker Ramon Guzman. "They say he's too small that that's a weakness. To him it's a strength. As quick he is, he gets down low and he runs hard. If you judge him by his size, then you're going to be deceived."

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Cleveland Plain Dealer: League play is off to a strange start

Invisible Heisman: Northern Illinois tailback Garrett Wolfe, who rushed for 263 yards and two touchdowns in the Huskies' victory over Buffalo, leads the nation with an average of 210 yards rushing per game.

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune: Nendick has his role down PAT

Northern Illinois junior Chris Nendick is about as automatic as a kicker can be. The Naperville Central graduate hit four extra points in Saturday's 31-13 Mid-American Conference victory over Buffalo and ran his streak to a school-record 100. In three years he's 107 of 108, his only miss coming in 2004 against Iowa State.

The Daily Chronicle

The Daily Chronicle: Huskie Notes: Perez rapidly becoming go-to receiver

Northern Illinois wide receiver Marcus Perez is rapidly becoming a big threat in the offense. Perez, who sat out last year because of academic problems, led the Huskies with six catches for 91 yards, with a long reception of 24 yards in NIU's 31-13 victory over Buffalo.

The Daily Chronicle: Wolfe dances around Buffalo defense

Wolfe burst through the left side of the Bulls defense and sped down the sideline while Imes pursued from the right side.

Near the 35-yard line Imes was on a path to meet Wolfe, but the Heisman Trophy candidate slowed and cut to the right, causing Imes to twist left.

Seven yards later, Wolfe cut back left.

Again, Imes twisted in a fruitless effort to keep up, but this time, he tripped over his own feet and stumbled to the turf as Wolfe cruised into the end zone for the fifth-longest touchdown run of his career.

The Daily Chronicle: Huskies get back winning feeling

Forty-two weeks after posting their last victory, the Huskies got that winning feeling back with a workmanlike 31-13 win over Buffalo before 21,117 fans.

The victory ended a three game drought - all losses to teams from Ohio - and helped ease the ache from last week's 35-23 defeat to Ohio.

The Daily Chronicle: THE QUARTERLY REPORT

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune: Wolfe leads NIU into win column

"We tried to [stop Wolfe]," Buffalo coach Turner Gill said. "We tried to have three, four, five guys in the gaps because if there's any small crease, he's going to make some plays. . . . Obviously, we didn't get it done."

The Beacon News

The Beacon News: English helps defense make early statement

The heat was on, Larry English said.

And he and his defensive teammates, especially those on the line, were feeling it, the Marmion Academy graduate admitted Saturday night after NIU's 31-13 win over Buffalo.

English, a sophomore, made a statement early, breaking through the Bulls' line on the first play from scrimmage to nail Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy for a 6-yard sack. In the third game of the season, the Huskies finally had a sack.

The defense forced three-and-outs on the visiting Bulls' first two possessions, which helped the Huskies jump out to a 17-0 lead.

The Beacon News: Sweet relief

After striking out twice against teams from Ohio to start the season, the Northern Illinois University football team took a bite out of a team north of the Big Apple on Saturday and got its first win. The Huskies beat an improved Buffalo team 31-13.

"We needed that," NIU coach Joe Novak acknowledged after his team took advantage of big plays to roll up a 500-349 advantage in total yards. "There's still plenty of stuff to work on and lots of things to improve. ... It's good to get that good taste in everybody's mouth again."

The Chicago Sun-Times

The Chicago Sun-Times: Wolfe gets NIU back on winning track

"That was a great win, one that we really needed," Novak said. "Big plays saved us. But believe me, we still have plenty of things to work on, as many teams to do. We prepared well, and I know our kids still think they can be a real good team."

Novak's defenders – who had been without a sack this season – recorded four against the Bulls (1-2, 0-2), beginning on the first play from scrimmage when defensive end Larry English buried Buffalo quarterback Drew Willy for a six-yard loss. Joining the NIU hit squad were Ken West, Cory Hanson and Brandon Bice. West also blocked a pass.

FoxSports.com

Eric Moneypenny:

You guys know football, so I know you know Northern Illinois RB Garrett Wolfe. What you might not know unless you read the NIU-Buffalo box score is that Wolfe had 263 yards rushing, his eighth 200-yard game since 2004. He's only 5-foot-7, 177 pounds, but he's still a beast. Wolfe would be the man in any conference.

Washington Evening Journal

Washington Evening Journal: NCAA Game Summary - Buffalo at Northern Illinois

Garrett Wolfe posted yet another stellar performance running the football for Northern Illinois, tallying 263 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries to carry the Huskies to a 31-13 victory over the Buffalo Bulls in a Mid-American Conference clash at Huskie Field.

Rockford Register Star

Rockford Register Star: Wolfe stays on pace for huge season

Mark Keller did it from his fullback position back in 1973, and LeShon Johnson took the nation by storm and did it his own way in ‘93.

Could it happen again?

“Anything can happen,” Garrett Wolfe said after rushing for 263 yards and two touchdowns in NIU’s first victory of the season Saturday.

Leading the nation in rushing while playing in little ol’ DeKalb isn’t an easy task, but it seems to be catching on. And Wolfe very well could be the next to reel in the glory, especially after the start he’s had in 2006.

The Buffalo News

The Buffalo News: Wolfe too much for UB

Garrett Wolfe says he isn't a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate, but he certainly performed like one Saturday night against the University at Buffalo.

The Northern Illinois senior tailback handed in more evidence that he's a serious Heisman contender with 263 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Bulls left with more questions on both sides of the ball after falling to the Huskies, 31-13, in front of 21,117 at Huskie Stadium.

Aurora Beacon News

Aurora Beacon News: Another loss would leave Huskie fans howling mad

A review of Northern's statistics provides some unsettling insights:

• The defense has 0 quarterback sacks and 0 quarterback hurries in two games. Zee-ro.

• Opponents have converted 65 percent (17 of 26) of their third-down chances in piling up 997 total yards. NIU has converted just 22 percent (6 of 27) in gaining 805 yards.

• The Huskies have scored just two TDs in seven trips inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

• Foes' time of possession has averaged 33:08 to NIU's 26:52.

The Spectrum - Buffalo Paper

The Spectrum: Buffalo to beware of Huskies

"We all know they have a great running back in Garrett Wolfe," Gill said. "The guy has tremendous speed, tremendous quickness and makes plays. I don't think anyone has slowed him down. We are going to have our hands full and have to do a great job of tackling him."

Containing Wolfe could prove to be a challenge for the Buffalo defense. The Bulls are currently ranked 11th in the MAC in rushing defense, yielding 218 yards per game, after surrendering 356 rushing yards to the Falcons last game.

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune: NIU's Novak: 'sense of urgency' this week

Regarding Buffalo's OT lose to Bowling Green last week:

Buffalo's special teams did just about everything a coach could ask against Bowling Green. Freshman Naaman Roosevelt returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and nearly scored on a 55-yard punt return. He returned four kicks for 158 yards and was the MAC Special Teams Player of the Week. The Bulls also blocked a punt for a touchdown, blocked a field goal and two extra points, all by different players.

"That's what got them in it," Novak said of the Bowling Green game. "I think that shows you they're coaching their kids on little things."

Buffalo News

From The Buffalo News: Wolfe dodges Heisman talk

"Garrett Wolfe is a guy who has tremendous speed and tremendous quickness and makes plays," UB coach Turner Gill said. "I don't think anyone has slowed him down. So you don't talk about stopping him and sometimes you don't talk about slowing him down. We're going to have our hands full."

The MidWeek

From The MidWeek: Home not so sweet

Maybe no drive best typified the Ohio day than their first of the fourth quarter. Just as NIU had closed to within five points after a forced fumble and a Marcus Perez touchdown reception, the Bobcats embarked on a 12-play drive that covered just 36 yards but took 6:38 off an ever-dwindling clock. The Huskies clamped down on first and second down three straight times, only to see Ohio convert with:

* 7 yards on a third-and-6,

* 3 yards on a third-and-two

* and 7 yards on a third-and-four.

The Naperville Sun

The Naperville Sun: Calm and collected

"You approach them all with a sense of urgency," said coach Joe Novak on Tuesday at his weekly press conference as he looked forward to Saturday night's Mid-American Conference home game with Buffalo (6:30 p.m. kickoff).

The Huskies are 0-1 in the league after a surprising 35-23 loss to Ohio University in Saturday's home opener. And even though Novak thinks it's possible the MAC West champ could have three league losses this season, he knows his team has to get on track.

"If you get two losses in this league, you're not out of it," he said. "But if you start (MAC play) 0-2, it really puts you in a corner. ... And if we go 0-3 (overall), we're really gonna be scrambling."

Chicago Sun-Times

From today's Chicago Sun-Times:

Novak hopes to have defensive linemen Adam Schroeder (ankle) and Zack Holycross (hand) back later this week, though Craig Rusch (infection) remains out.

Novak said wide receiver Britt Davis will have his eyes examined this week. The sophomore from Riverside-Brookfield had an atypical case of the dropsies against Ohio, bobbling away at least four Phil Horvath passes. Davis doesn't wear corrective lenses, but his older brother Brandon, a Huskies tight end, wears contacts.

Huskies Lose Cornerback Alvah Hansbro

Huskies Lose Cornerback Alvah Hansbro: Senior Suffers Season and Career Ending Injury in Ohio Game

Northern Illinois senior cornerback Alvah Hansbro is out for the season after suffering a torn right biceps tendon Saturday in NIU's 35-23 loss to Ohio University, NIU Head Coach Joe Novak announced Tuesday.

Hansbro is a fifth-year senior whose collegiate playing career has apparently ended due to the injury, Novak said. The injury will require surgery.

From the Northern Star: Hansbro lost for season

BUFFALO - SEPT 16 at 6:35

This week the Huskies (0-2, 0-1) take on the University at Buffalo Bulls (1-1, 0-1). The game is at 6:35 so the tailgate lot will open at 1:30. The general parking lots will open at 3:00. We survived our first 5 hour tailgating experience so we should be able to do it again. Who’s planning on being at Fatty’s by 1:15?

I should know better than to check but the early weather forecast looks good for Saturday.

We received some Huskie Club meal vouchers because of the higher donation level this year. The vouchers are not much use to us since we do our own grilling. Plus I heard the food selection stinks and the lines are long. I guess they’re nice to have for an emergency…like someone setting a pig roast on fire. The vouchers are available on a per game basis for anyone that thinks they need them. I can’t think of a good reason to use them so if someone can come up with one I’d like to hear it. Okay, I guess I can think of a few, (1) you arrive too late to grill, (2) you’re old (or mature) and you don’t want to hang with us or (3) maybe they have cookies.

WEATHER: DeKalb Weather

TAILGATING: Meet at Fatty's by 1:15 otherwise, see the Football Parking Map to find the Cardinal Lot.

GAMEDAY: NIU Game Preview and Depth Chart
GAMEDAY: Buffalo Game Preview and Depth Chart

UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO FACTS:

Location: Buffalo, NY

Founded: 1846

First Year of Football: 1894

All Time Football Record: 317-435-28

All Time vs NIU: 1-4

Last meeting (2003 at Buffalo): NIU 40-9

UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO LINKS:

Football Website

Roster

Schedule/Results

Season Statistics

Buffalo Preview 2006

Week 1: 9-3 over Temple in OT

Week 2: Bulls Lose Heartbreaker at Bowling Green

Post a comment if you have any questions or have any additional information for the game against the Ohio Bobcats.

The Northern Star: Huskies

The Northern Star: Huskies shouldn't give up on season

This one is for Har...

I hated that the White Sox won the World Series last year.

Not only because I am a Cubs fan, but because every White Sox fan I knew started singing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.

What once was a great song about hope now makes me think of how I loath Ozzie Guillen and his huge mouth.

I hate that song.

But for the good of NIU, I propose that we replace the songs that are played at noon every day from the Holmes Student Center this week with that over-played, over-hyped, poppy Journey tune.

Not because I'm rooting for the White Sox to make a playoff run, but because I think NIU football fans need to be reminded to not stop believing.

Chicago Sun-Times: Wolfe

Chicago Sun-Times: Wolfe frustrated, blames offense

Despite the rough-gated start of Northern Illinois (0-2, 0-1), the statistical star of Garrett Wolfe continues to radiate. The 5-7, 177-pound senior leads Division I-A in rushing (183.5 yards per game) and all-purpose running yards (240.5 pg).

Following the Huskies' unexpected 35-23 tumble to visiting Ohio on Saturday, Wolfe also hinted at festering dissonance within the ranks of NIU's erratic offense: ''Some of this is getting unbelievably frustrating ... I would rather have 20 yards and be 2-0 and 1-0 in [the Mid-American Conference] than whatever it is I have ... [The coaches] are doing their job. I think it's the players -- myself included -- that are not doing what's asked of us as a unit. You've got to get 11 guys pulling in one direction. If nine are pulling in one direction and two are pulling in the other direction, it won't be as effective.''

•Defensive end Ken West experienced chest strain late in the loss to Ohio. X-rays on the senior co-captain came back negative.

Monday's Stories

Chicago Tribune: Wolfe rushing toward the top

Northern Illinois' Garrett Wolfe continues to put up numbers that need to be crunched. The senior from Chicago gained 196 yards on 24 carries in Saturday's loss to Ohio, moving up to No. 3 on NIU's all-time rushing chart.

His two touchdowns gave him 41, seven shy of leader Michael Turner. Wolfe has scored 246 points and is fourth all-time at Northern. …

Sophomore Marcus Perez is emerging as a big-play receiver who can take pressure off Wolfe. Perez caught four passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. … Kicker Chris Nendick has been almost automatic. The junior from Naperville Central has scored in all 26 games he has played. … Linebacker Tim McCarthy continues to lead the defense. The sophomore had seven solo tackles and five assists against Ohio.

Northern Star: Not getting it done

No. 1 Ohio State had 488 yards of offense against NIU's defense last week.

This was the same OSU team that beat No. 2 Texas 24-7 Saturday, the same day Ohio amassed 509 yards against the Huskies defense.

Northern Star: Despite loss, Wolfe climbs record book

The fifth-year senior is now third on NIU's career rushing chart after recording 196 yards on 24 carries Saturday. Wolfe now has 3,603 career yards. Only the San Diego Chargers' back-up running back Michael Turner's 4,941 yards and Mark Kellar's 3,745 yards outrank Wolfe in the NIU record books.

Northern Star: State of shock

"We got whipped. We got whipped good," said NIU coach Joe Novak. "I thought we got out-coached. We didn't tackle well enough, we didn't cover well enough, didn't protect well enough, didn't catch well enough. They executed better and we didn't tackle worth a darn."

The Herald News

The Herald News: NIU stunned by upstart Ohio U.

Losing 35-12 to No. 1-ranked Ohio State the week before was easy to understand. But giving up more yards and the same number of points to a team that wouldn't have been ranked in the top five in Division 1-A in the state of Ohio stunned the 19,341 in attendance at Huskie Stadium.

"On the defensive side of the ball, they out-toughed us, they out-hustled us," said senior safety and co-captain Dustin Utschig. "It's real disappointing to see our defense have a great week of practice and come out and lay an egg like that. We let everybody down."

Daily Herald

Daily Herald: Defenseless Huskies humbled

If the Huskies (0-2, 0-1) took their expected medicine in losing last week at No. 1 Ohio State, falling at home to 15-point underdog Ohio (2-0, 1-0) was a bitter pill to swallow.

“We got whipped, whipped good,” said NIU coach Joe Novak said.

An Ohio team that netted 144 yards against Division I-AA Tennessee-Martin last week torched NIU for 509.

Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Sun-Times: Novak not blaming loss on DL injuries

Despite having the interior of his defensive line splintered by early-season maladies, Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak declined to list that as a primary reason his Huskies were upset by Ohio 35-23 on Saturday.

''I'd like to tell you that's the big reason, but it wasn't,'' Novak said. ''Sure, I wish we'd have had those guys, but that's not the big reason we lost. We lost for a number of other reasons.''

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune: Huskies have no excuse for losing to this Ohio team

Giving up 35 points to Ohio State is understandable. Giving up 35 to Ohio University is not.

The reality of Northern Illinois' football season is the Mid-American Conference favorite is 0-2 overall and 0-1 in the MAC after Saturday afternoon's 35-23 loss to the Bobcats (2-0, 1-0). The Huskies opened the season with a 35-12 loss to the No. 1 team in the nation, but their defense might have looked better against the Buckeyes.

Chicago Sun-Times - Horvath

Today's Chicago Sun-Times: NIU's Horvath committed to MAC title for Huskies

Last Saturday, Phil Horvath's late-night viewing selection wasn't ''MADtv,'' ''elimiDATE'' or anything involving Jessica Alba.

Instead, the cerebral Northern Illinois quarterback watched a horror film -- a replay of the Huskies' hours-old 35-12 thumping at Ohio State.

''I had it cued to go on my DVD as soon as I got back to my house from Columbus,'' the 6-3, 217-pound senior said. ''So I watched it once, then watched it again. I finally went to bed around 2 in the morning but couldn't sleep. So I was up before 8 and over at the stadium to watch it again.

Northern Star

NIU hopes to neutralize Wright

Last season, Wright (Sr. Cornerback) had a career-high 49 tackles, in which four were for a loss of yards. The fifth-year senior also recorded his first career sack in Ohio's 16-10 upset of Pittsburgh last fall.

Maturity time for the NIU defense

This might be a good sign for a big crowd: Tickets for Ohio game running low

The Beacon News

Huskies to diversify attack

Joe Novak isn't delusional.

The Northern Illinois coach knows what his Huskies were up against last week in a 35-12 loss to No. 1 Ohio State.

"If we had played as well as we're capable, it still might not have been good enough to beat that team," Novak said.

Chicago Tribune - Huskies

Chicago Tribune: NIU won't let up vs. Ohio

The spotlight has dimmed, ABC Sports won't be coming to DeKalb and there won't be 103,896 fans watching Northern Illinois' football team at 2 p.m. Saturday.

Joe Novak, whose team lost to No. 1 Ohio State 35-12 last Saturday, knew this would be the case and has preached to his team that the second game on the Huskies' schedule would be the most important one no matter what happened in Columbus. Ohio University, coached by former Nebraska coach Frank Solich, never will be confused with the Buckeyes on the football field but NIU realizes it can't give less than its best against the Bobcats.

College Football News - Wolfe

College Football News is Handicapping the Heisman. Wolfe is in the top ten and he's their "Heisman Contender of the Week."

Heisman Contender of the Week 8. RB Garrett Wolfe, Northern Illinois – Wolfe gutted Ohio State for 171 yards in the Shoe…and that lowered his career average versus Big Ten defenses. He was a one-man circus in the Huskies’ 35-12 loss, making a national splash in the one game on the schedule that afforded him that opportunity. America embraces underdogs, and Wolfe is just small enough and playing in an obscure enough town to create grassroots support. He’s not going anywhere, nor will his eye-popping production.
Last Week: 26 carries for 171 yards – 5 catches for 114 yards and 1 TD (Ohio State)
2006 Season: 26 carries for 171 yards – 5 catches for 114 yards and 1 TD
Barometer: Rising

The Post Online - Ohio Paper

Here's a Scouting Report: Bobcats gear up for ‘monster’ of an offense from one of the Ohio Newspapers. It looks like they're a little worried about Wolfe...go figure.

Leading the Mid-American Conference with 1,656 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in his first year on the field raised a few eyebrows.

Coming into this season as the nation’s leading returning rusher garnered a Preseason All-American selection.

Torching the No. 1 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes this past week for 171 yards rushing and 144 yards receiving in front of a national audience has many wondering what place he will go in next year’s NFL draft.

Here's a picture of the AAPC from last night. If you get lucky, you might be able to see the live webcam. It doesn't seem to work all the time. Plus, it might take a little bit of playing around with the "video format".

From the Northern Star: Notes on the Huskies

Sophomore defensive end Craig Rusch was named Third-Team Freshman All-America by CollegeFootballNews.com last fall, but hasn't seen the field in 2006.

On Aug. 28 Rusch was stepped on in practice. The wound he received on his right leg eventually became infected. NIU football coach Joe Novak said he is unsure when Rusch will be able to return.

The Hilbert, Wisc. native led NIU with six sacks last season while only starting four games and playing in seven.

From the Northern Star: Sizing up the Huskies

Quarterback

B+

NIU head coach Joe Novak has a dilemma: one starting spot for two capable quarterbacks.

So far this season, experience has prevailed over young talent, and senior Phil Horvath has been named the starter over sophomore Dan Nicholson. But Huskie fans shouldn't be surprised to see Nicholson taking the field from time to time throughout the season, just as he did at Ohio State.

From the Chicago Sun-Times: Huskies' D-line getting depleted

Holycross made the third start of his career last week at Ohio State, replacing Craig Rusch (infected foot). Rusch also is expected to miss the Ohio game, and nose guard Adam Schroeder (ankle) is doubtful. That would leave Novak and interior line coach Jeff Phelps with a rotation of seniors Brad Benson and Eric Pittman and sophomore Alex Krutsch, a former walk-on.

The Oklahoman

This is a great story on Wolfe... Give the early Heisman lead to Wolfe

Northern Illinois senior running back Garrett Wolfe had 285 total yards - 171 rushing, 114 receiving - in The Horseshoe against the No. 1-ranked team in the country.

Mid-American Conference teams no doubt are in trouble when they face Wolfe. But Wolfe did this against Ohio State, not Ohio U.

Northern Star

Here are a few articles from Monday's Northern Star...

Wolfe a bright spot for NIU

"He is a great running back ?- as I watched on film and here today," OSU defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock said. "He'll do great this year."

Huskies' loss not so bad after all

Even NIU coach Joe Novak thought so. In the post-game press conference, Novak compared his first-quarter Huskies to a collective deer in headlights, saying "there was no phase of our football that was good."

Of course, let's not be hard on the fellas. Any mistake the Huskies made in the first quarter was magnified tenfold because Ohio State looked nearly perfect in every aspect of its game.

Wolfe moves up the record books

For the first time in his career, NIU running back Garrett Wolfe recorded more than 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in the same game Saturday against the Buckeyes. Wolfe, who now has rushed for 100-plus yards 15 times in his career, gained 171 yards on 26 carries and caught five passes for 114 receiving yards to total 285 all-purpose yards.

Wolfe tied former wide receiver P.J. Fleck - who, incidentally, is now a graduate assistant on OSU's staff - for the sixth-best all-purpose yard performance in school history.

OHIO UNIVERSITY - SEPT 9 at 2:05

It's time for the first home game of the year against the Ohio Bobcats (1-0, 0-0). The Huskies (0-1, 0-0) need to take out some revenge on the state of Ohio. The game is at 2:05 so the tailgate lot will open at 9:00. Will Fatty’s be open or will we need to meet somewhere else? Also, JB brought up a good point, where are people going to park their cars since general parking won't open until 3 1/2 hours before kickoff?

WEATHER: DeKalb Weather
TAILGATING: Meet at Fatty's by 9:00 otherwise, see the Football Parking Map to find the Cardinal Lot.
GAMEDAY: NIU Game Preview and Depth Chart
GAMEDAY: Ohio Game Preview and Depth Chart

OHIO UNIVERSITY FACTS:

Location: Athens, OH

Founded: 1804

First Year of Football: 1894

All Time Football Record: 471-493-48

All Time vs NIU: 7-9

Last meeting (at NIU in 2003): NIU over Ohio 30-23

OHIO UNIVERSITY LINKS:

Football Website

Roster

Schedule/Results

Season Statistics

Ohio Preview 2006

Week 1: Defense Leads Bobcats to 29-3 Win

Post a comment if you have any questions or have any additional information for the game against the Ohio Bobcats.

Daily Southtown: College Football: Inside NIU

Novak shrugged off the idea that subbing backup quarterback Dan Nicholson for starter Phil Horvath during the game, the outcome having been decided long before, was the beginning of a quarterback controversy.

"I wanted to get Dan some quality time," Novak said. "I've got two of 'em I like. Phil's our starter right now. Hey, there's 10 other guys who have their job to do, too. I have no problem with Phil."

Chicago Tribune: Wolfe, Nendick climb the charts

Wolfe scored the Huskies' only touchdown and moved into second place all time at NIU with 39. Michael Turner had 43. . . .

Kicker Chris Nendick has now scored in 25 straight games. He hit on field goals of 35 and 37 yards against Ohio State. He moved into a tie with former NIU receiver Justin McCareins for ninth place on the NIU scoring list with 182 points. Wolfe is tied for fourth with Stacey Robinson at 234 points.

Ohio State Recaps

Sun-Times: Horvath's unusually poor outing accelerated routing

''It wasn't the sharpest game I ever played,'' said Horvath, who finished 15-for-26 for 185 yards and one touchdown. ''But it was a learning experience. We'll learn even more after we look at the film. We were trying to run the best plays into their defenses. Nothing worked.''

Sun-Times: Huskies no match for OSU

''What really surprised us was the quickness of their defensive line,'' said Garrett Wolfe, the energizer Husky who finished with his first career double-century -- 171 yards rushing and 114 receiving. ''Their [tackles] especially [David Patterson and Quinn Pitcock] were much quicker than what we're used to seeing. They disrupted a lot of what we were trying to do.''

Tribune: Wolfe survives `tidal wave'

The Buckeyes scored on their first four possessions and coasted home to a 35-12 victory, easily overcoming the dazzling 171 yards on 26 carries and 114 yards on five receptions of Huskies tailback Garrett Wolfe.

Tribune: Huskies get (Buck)eyeful

"He's very fast and has great vision," Buckeyes defensive lineman Quinn Pitcock said. "I wish him the best with the Heisman race, but we still have my buddy (Smith) here next to me who I'm rooting for."

Daily Herald: Let there be no doubt about Huskies’ Wolfe

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The statistical sample has grown big enough that it now seems like a fair statement to make:

If Northern Illinois and senior running back Garrett Wolfe played in the Big Ten, he’d lead that league in rushing without a problem.

Daily Herald: Blindsided by the Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Garrett Wolfe did something no Ohio State foe had accomplished in seven years.

The 5-foot-7, 177-pound senior rushed 26 times for 171 yards and caught 5 passes for 114 yards to register the first double-triple of his career.

No Ohio State opponent had rushed for so many yards since Penn State’s Eric McCoo racked up 211 on Oct. 16, 1999.