USAToday.com

USAToday.Com - September sees some great statistics throughout the nation

And at Northern Illinois, the biggest man in college football when it comes to rushing is 5-foot-7. A senior who started his career No. 9 on the depth chart.

Garrett Wolfe has 1,181 yards, more than anyone ever has had after five games. His 2006 average of 236.20 yards is 75 ahead of anyone else and more than 111 of the other 118 Division I-A schools average as a team.

He ran for 353 yards against Ball State Saturday night, and had touchdowns of 70 and 45 yards called back by penalties. Or else they might have had to measure his rushing totals in kilometers.

We know what you're thinking. It's the MAC. The big boys would swallow him like a canape.

Or not. Wolfe had 171 yards against Ohio State in the season opener, 148 yards last season against Michigan. He's hard for a defense to find, harder to catch.

Heisman voters should at least remember his name. The NFL might, too, even if he comes up to a noseguard's navel.

"I've had some scouts say they aren't sure and some scouts say they love him," coach Joe Novak said. "I have to believe if you give him the ball, he'll produce."

USAToday.com - Northern Illinois' Wolfe runs way to Player of Week award

A career-best performance carried Northern Illinois running back Garrett Wolfe to capture this week's USA TODAY's Player of the Week honor. The senior ran for 353 yards and three touchdowns in a 40-28 defeat of Ball State. Wolfe was a unanimous choice for the award by winning the support of the fan balloting and the votes of Gannett News Service columnist Mike Lopresti and college football editor Erick Smith.