The Chicago Sun-Times: Novak: 'We just gave it away'

Slow and steady piled up the yards Saturday, but it didn't win the race. Northern Illinois made like the tortoise, rolling up a 521-381 edge in total yards. But missed opportunities in the red zone (1-for-5) and six turnovers allowed the hare, Central Michigan, to cruise to a 35-10 victory.

''Three times inside the 5-yard line early in the game with no points, a kickoff return [for a 90-yard CMU touchdown] and a [lost] fumble on the next one,'' Novak said.

''We just gave it away.''

The Chicago Tribune: Blowout loss puts NIU in big hole

The MAC West race all but ended Saturday for Northern Illinois as the Huskies dug themselves a hole in the first half against Central Michigan and then proceeded to pile dirt on themselves in a crushing 35-10 loss to the division's defending champions.

The Chicago Tribune: Northern Illinois 2-minute drill

Getting offensive: Tailback Justin Anderson posted his third straight 100-yard game with 28 carries for 157 yards, and Matt Simon caught nine passes for 205 yards, sixth-highest receiving total in NIU history.

On the defense: End Larry English collected his seventh sack of the season.

The number: 521. Yardage total generated by NIU's offense, resulting in only 10 points.

They're still talking about: Two 90-plus-yard scoring plays in a span of 15 seconds. NIU scored on a 92-yard pass to Simon, and Central Michigan responded with a 90-yard kickoff return by Antonio Brown.

Sick bay: Linebacker Phil Brown, starting at left defensive end, limped off the field just before halftime with an ankle injury but returned to the game. Quarterback Dan Nicholson has a sprained right ankle, and holder Greg Turner injured his thumb.

Audible: The Huskies seemed to deflate midway through the first quarter, and why not? Two missed scoring chances on the first two possessions. NIU had five possessions inside the CMU 15, four resulting in no points.

Looking ahead: Road trip continues at Temple, an 0-5 team that has lost 47 of its last 51 games, in the second of three straight MAC road games.

The Daily Herald: NIU in a 'must-win' conference battle

It's still September. That's right, September. But Joe Novak already has pulled out the "must-win" card.

He believes Northern Illinois must win today's game at preseason Mid-American Conference favorite Central Michigan or fall out of West division contention.

"If we want to be in the MAC race, it's bigger for us than them," Novak said. "I don't see anybody winning it with 2 (losses)."

The Naperville Sun: NIU facing LeFevour, Central Michigan
- Benet grad can run as well as pass

"He was the real key to their football team last year," Novak said of the 6-foot-3-inch, 226-pounder. "He certainly can throw it but the thing that scares you is he runs well, too. The biggest play we gave up last year (in a 31-10 win) was to him scrambling out of the pocket."

Central Michigan Life: Huskies hold edge over CMU
- Northern Illinois brings nine-game win streak to Kelly/Shorts

"We've been lucky," said NIU coach Joe Novak, who boasts a 9-1 record against CMU. "Every game in Mount Pleasant, even when we've been able to come out a winner, has been a battle and a real close football game."

CMU has not beaten the Huskies since the first game of the 1997 season, when Dick Flynn's team won 44-10 at home.

The Chicago Sun-Times: Enroll call for Jones: He's at Cincinnati

NIU coach Joe Novak said he wasn't surprised when he learned the Cincinnati Enquirer was reporting Thursday that Jones had walked into the office of Bearcats coach Brian Kelly and told him he wanted to play there.

''It's an interesting story,'' Novak said of the saga involving the former Morgan Park star that has unfolded over the last two weeks. ''I was on the outside looking in.''

''Cincinnati is definitely a good fit for Jones,'' Novak said. ''They run the spread [offense], and Brian is a good coach.''

The saga is finally over...

The Cincinnati Enquirer: It's Official: Jones to UC

A month ago, Demetrius Jones was getting ready to start his first game at quarterback for Notre Dame.

On Thursday afternoon he walked into University of Cincinnati football coach Brian Kelly’s office and told him that he wanted to play for the Bearcats.

“A whole bunch of things took place that weren’t planned,” Jones said. “That’s the way it goes.”

Jones will face plenty of competition at UC. Junior Dustin Grutza returns next year, along with sophomore Tony Pike, sophomore Craig Carey and freshmen Chazz Anderson and Zach Collaros, both of whom are being redshirted this year.

In addition, senior Ben Mauk, the current starter, plans to apply for a medical hardship waiver that could give him another year of eligibility next season.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS(1-3) at CENTRAL MICHIGAN (1-3)

When: Saturday, Sept 29 @ 11:00 a.m. CT

TV: WPWR-Chicago, WTVO-Rockford & ESPN GamePlan

Radio: WSCR-AM 670 and WLBK-AM 1360

NIU Live: Wednesday at 10pm - WSCR-AM 670

Inside Huskie Sports: Thursday at 5pm - CSN Chicago

GAMEDAY:

Mount Pleasant, MI Weather

Northern Illinois Weekly Release and Depth Chart

Central Michigan Weekly Release and Depth Chart

NORTHERN ILLINOIS FACTS:

Location: DeKalb, IL

Founded: 1895

Enrollment: 25,208

Nickname: Huskies

Colors: Cardinal and Black

Conference: Mid-American Conference

Stadium: Huskie Stadium (1965)

Capacity: 24,000

First Year of Football: 1899

All Time Football Record: 487-436-50

All Time vs Central Michigan: 20-21-1

Last meeting (2006 at NIU): NIU 31-10

Coach: Joe Novak (62-69 at NIU)

CENTRAL MICHIGAN FACTS:

Location: Mount Pleasant, MI

Founded: 1892

Enrollment: 27,100

Nickname: Chippewas

Colors: Maroon and Gold

Conference: Mid-American Conference

Stadium: Kelly-Shorts (1972)

Capacity: 30,255

First Year of Football: 1896

All Time Football Record: 543-349-37

Coach: Butch Jones (1-3 at CMU)

CENTRAL MICHIGAN LINKS:

Football Website

Roster

Schedule/Results

Season Statistics

The Chicago Sun-Times: Jones, NIU on speaking terms - Junior college may be among the options for ex-ND QB

Demetrius Jones and Northern Illinois coach Joe Novak finally talked -- on the phone -- but the former Notre Dame quarterback doesn't appear to be any closer to joining the Huskies.

And contrary to published reports, Jones apparently isn't enrolled in classes at NIU.

''The last I heard, he's not,'' Novak said Tuesday at his weekly news conference. ''He has got a lot of things available to him.''

The Chicago Tribune: NIU's English speaks loudly when needed

"It was one of the best [defensive line performances] I've ever seen, and it was when we really needed it," said Huskies coach Joe Novak, who has sent offensive linemen to the NFL and now could be sending one from the defensive side. "He's gaining confidence, and I think he's going to have that [NFL] chance.

"But in one more year. We need him one more year."

The Chicago Tribune: Huskies need two complete halves

Since the season-opening loss to Iowa, the Huskies have played three games that were decided on last plays. It would be a nice gesture to their coach if the Huskies would kindly jump out to an early lead and stay there, particularly with a MAC West game coming Saturday.

"One or two [nail-biters] a year I can deal with," Novak said. "But not four in a row. I've aged a little bit, and I don't need to be doing that."

Injury Update:

Novak will wait until later this week to determine the status of defensive ends Brandon Bice, Jake Coffman and Matt Simon, who have leg injuries. Same for guard Jason Onyebuagu, who has an arm injury, and tailback Justin Anderson, suffering from general wear and tear. ... Anderson registered his second straight 100-yard game with 167 at Idaho but needed 35 carries. "We've got to share the load and take some of it off him," Novak said.

NIU Football Website: Larry English MAC West Defensive Player of the Week

After posting a school-record five sacks Saturday at Idaho, Northern Illinois defensive end Larry English (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) has been named the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week. The junior defensive end also scored his first career touchdown in the game after forcing a fumble and recovering it in the endzone.

The Chicago Tribune: Northern Illinois capitalizes on Idaho's gaffes - Huskies score on INT, blocked punt, fumble

Northern's Chase Carter intercepted Nathan Enderle's pass and took it the other way for a 95-yard score. After the Huskies went up 21-7 on Britt Davis' 2-yard TD catch, Jeff Fontana blocked and recovered an Idaho punt in the end zone for a 28-7 lead.

Then Larry English sacked Enderle, knocking the ball into the end zone. English fell on it for a 35-7 lead.

The Chicago Tribune: Northern Illinois looking for answers, wins

His Huskies have played well enough to be 2-1 this season. Quarterback Dan Nicholson has emerged as a dangerous offensive threat in a backfield with tailback Justin Anderson. The defense and kicker Chris Nendick have made enough big plays to be winners.

But the real record stands at 0-3, not because the Huskies have been ground under by an opponent, but because they have given up enough big plays to be losers.

Eastern Michigan Pictures

Eastern Michigan Pictures

The Demetrius Jones Saga Continues

The Chicago Tribune: Jones to get his release from ND - Kevin White's (ND Athletic Director) Statement

"Since learning of the situation surrounding the departure of Demetrius Jones on Friday, Sept. 14, the University of Notre Dame has been gathering facts to better assess his interest in transferring. Today, without formal confirmation of Demetrius' status, we reached out to him to assist him and his family in ascertaining his athletic and academic future plans.

"We are helping Demetrius compile a list of prospective schools that are not on our immediate future football schedules. We will grant him a release to those schools, and we will assist him in settling at another institution as best we can. It's our hope that Demetrius can enroll at an institution at which he might be able to receive a scholarship, possibly be eligible for the 2008 football season and, importantly, continue to make progress toward his degree without interruption.

"We have initiated our normal protocol by identifying a list of institutions to which he has an interest in transferring. While Demetrius did not consult us on his decision, the University and he are now working together in our customary fashion. Our hope is that this process assists him in finding an institution that will enable him to meet his goals both as a student and as an athlete."

The Chicago Tribune: Wish granted, Jones ponders next move

What has transpired in the wake of Jones' abrupt departure from Notre Dame last week has been a media fiasco of its own. Jones was not on the team buses leaving Notre Dame Friday for Michigan, touching off a flurry of he-said, he-said in the media between Jones and the university.

It is that misunderstanding that bothers Jones the most now. Jones will go to Saturday's Notre Dame-Michigan State game.

"I'm going to root for those [Notre Dame] guys," Jones said. "The only thing I regret is how I had to leave. [Notre Dame] let me go the best way they could and that's pretty fair to me. If fans want to bash me, I understand where they're coming from. But this was a very hard decision."

The Chicago Sun-Times: Plot thickens: NIU not on approved list

It appears Notre Dame will release Demetrius Jones from his scholarship after all -- but not to transfer to Northern Illinois.

One day after athletic director Kevin White announced he would not release Jones this season -- saying he didn't ''believe his departure was handled appropriately'' -- White released another statement Thursday that the school has ''reached out'' to Jones to help with his academic future.

The three-paragraph statement never mentions NIU, where the former Morgan Park quarterback is enrolled in classes, but it did say Notre Dame is ''helping Demetrius compile a list of prospective schools that are not on our immediate future football schedules.''

The Huskies are not on any of Notre Dame's future schedules; however, senior associate AD John Heisler said NIU will not be on the list of approved schools.

When asked for a reason, Heisler said: ''We're not in a position to elaborate on that.''

The SOuth Bend Tribune: NIU not on ND's release list

According to a statement from athletics director Kevin White Thursday, Notre Dame will release quarterback Demetrius Jones from his scholarship as long as the school is not on ND's future football schedule -- and it's not Northern Illinois.

msnbc.com: College football soup: Stirring the jobs pot

Keep your eye on Sonny Lubick at Colorado State and Joe Novak at Northern Illinois. Each could retire after this season. One guy who would be a good fit at either place -- especially CSU -- is former Miami coach Larry Coker. And would Purdue assistant head coach Mark Hagen, a former NIU assistant who has excelled on the Boilermaker staff, get a look at DeKalb?

More News regarding Demetrius Jones:

The Chicago Tribune: Jones talk of Public League -Weis won't shy away from recruiting in area

"It's on the tip of everybody's tongue at all our games," said Calvin Davis, director of sports administration for the Public League. "For the community in general, it's a hot topic. It's big news."

Still, after hearing chatter for a few days, Davis doesn't believe Notre Dame's decision not to release Jones from his scholarship is catastrophic to the Irish's chances of recruiting Public League players.

But the situation doesn't help. Davis said his constituency may be circumspect with Notre Dame for the time being, especially looking at how the Irish handle freshman tailback Robert Hughes, a former Hubbard standout.

"People certainly are watching this situation closely," Davis said. "People are watching and wanting to think wherever they go, they'll be treated fairly."

The Herald News: Jones case is telling

And, of course, that was before even the most rabid Huskie fans dared to call Northern Illinois Chicago's team. Give gentleman Joe Novak credit for the rise of NIU's program. He is the hard-working coach who sent Ryan Diem, Michael "The Burner" Turner, Garrett Wolfe and others to the NFL while building a program envied by wannabes everywhere.

Northern has become a perennial contender for MAC West honors and postseason play, its current 0-3 start more the result of a couple of uncharacteristic late-game collapses than a disturbing trend. And, in DeKalb, the sting of a 21-19 loss to Eastern Michigan on Saturday was eased by the breaking news of Jones' transfer.

The Chicago Sun-Times: Local college football: No sounding Public alarm -Weis says Jones' departure won't hurt Irish in the city

Jones has intimated that Notre Dame coaches knew he was leaving before he failed to board the team bus to Michigan on Friday. Sophomore running back James Aldridge said, ''The coaches, they knew,'' when asked about it Tuesday, but Aldridge clarified that statement Wednesday.

''I wasn't saying the coaches knew beforehand,'' Aldridge said.

- Then what was he saying? Sounds like The Irish are "circling the wagons".

From The Rockford Register Star:

Demetrius Rumors Still Abound

Most of the NIU players, and all of their coaches, are trying not to think about it, but they’ve all heard the rumblings about former Notre Dame starting quarterback Demetrius Jones transferring to Northern Illinois.

At 0-3, the Huskies have more pressing matters to deal with, but there’s nothing wrong with a little excitement brewing during such a down time for the team. Quick Shots has confirmed that a Demetrius Jones is listed in the NIU student directory, but Novak insists he still has not had any confirmation that he enrolled by last Wednesday’s deadline. If he enrolled in time, he could suit up for the Huskies next year, but if not, he will have to sit out the 2008 season as well.

Either way, he’s stirred things up in the Huskie locker room these days.

“All we know is what we hear and read in the papers — but we know,” junior wide receiver Matt Simon said during Tuesday’s press conference.

Defensive end Larry English added: “It’s not relevant to this football team, I know that. But people are talking.”

NORTHERN ILLINOIS(0-3) at IDAHO (1-2)

When: Saturday, Sept 22 @ 4:00 p.m. CT

TV: Go Vandals Network (CH74 in DeKalb/Sycamore)

Radio: WSCR-AM 670 and WLBK-AM 1360

NIU Live: Wednesday at 10pm - WSCR-AM 670

Inside Huskie Sports: Thursday at 5pm - CSN Chicago

GAMEDAY:

Weather - Kibbie Dome

Northern Illinois Weekly Release and Depth Chart

Idaho Weekly Release and Depth Chart

NORTHERN ILLINOIS FACTS:

Location: DeKalb, IL

Founded: 1895

Enrollment: 25,208

Nickname: Huskies

Colors: Cardinal and Black

Conference: Mid-American Conference

Stadium: Huskie Stadium (1965)

Capacity: 24,000

First Year of Football: 1899

All Time Football Record: 486-436-50

All Time vs Idaho: 2-2

Last meeting (1975 at Idaho): Idaho 25-24

Coach: Joe Novak (61-69 at NIU)

IDAHO FACTS:

Location: Moscow, ID

Founded: 1889

Enrollment: 12,894

Nickname: Vandals

Colors: Silver and Gold

Conference: Western Athletic Conference

Stadium: Kibbie Dome (1975)

Capacity: 16,000

First Year of Football: 1893

All Time Football Record: 424-517-26

Coach: Robb Akey (1-2 at Idaho)

IDAHO LINKS:

Football Website

Roster

Schedule/Results

Season Statistics

The Chicago Sun-Times: Weis says Jones has 'moved on'

Novak said he had been told Notre Dame will not grant a release, but he added: ''They can't keep him from going to school here. He has to sit out a calendar year. All a release does is it gives us an opportunity to give the youngster a scholarship right away. I don't have a scholarship to give him right now anyway.''

Jones has intimated that Notre Dame coaches knew he was leaving before he didn't show up for the team bus to Michigan on Friday, and when running back James Aldridge was asked about it Tuesday, he said, ''The coaches, they knew.''

The Chicago Tribune: Irish balk at Jones release - ND unhappy how departure happened; QB still lands at NIU

He will not be able to receive an athletic scholarship from Northern Illinois this school year without the release -- though a spokeswoman for the football program said it doesn't have a scholarship to give Jones anyway. But a lack of release should not preclude Jones from practicing with the Huskies once he clears various hurdles with the school, according to the spokeswoman.

Football scholarships are renewed on an annual basis, so Jones would not be stuck in football purgatory. He would be released from Notre Dame before next season and NIU could give Jones a scholarship at that time if it so chooses.

The Beacon News: Jones questions continue to dog Novak

The Northern Illinois football coach found himself talking nearly as much about a potential player - former Notre Dame quarterback Demetrius Jones - at his weekly press conference Tuesday as he did about the players on his roster. With his team 0-3, the distraction might be worth the trouble.

"They tell me he's got some classes (at NIU), but I have not been cleared to talk to the youngster," said Novak.

"Is he here? From what I've been told, yes. I have yet to meet face to face with him."

The press conference was held in the second floor auditorium of the Yordon Center. Afterwards, Novak went east down the hall to his office to participate in a weekly teleconference for out-of-town media.

Reporters exiting the building nearly 15 minutes after the conference spotted Jones, decked out in Huskie red and black, and NIU linebacker Phil Brown entering the first floor academic corridor. It features offices, classrooms where study tables are held for the school's athletes and a computer lab.

The Chicago Tribune: Jones: Weis insincere about QB job

"Because people are trying to [assassinate] my character and don't really know what's going on, I think it's best for me not to say anything.

"People don't know the facts. The [Notre Dame] team did know I wasn't coming prior to that bus taking off. They found out before the bus was scheduled to depart, and it wasn't something like, 'Where's Demetrius? Where's Demetrius?' They were notified."

The South Bend Tribune: Jones regrets way he left

"I really am going to miss Notre Dame," said Jones, a sophomore quarterback who enrolled at Northern Illinois Wednesday, practiced with the Irish Thursday, went AWOL on Friday and begins classes at his new school today.

"I'm not sorry I went to Notre Dame in the first place," Jones told The Tribune via cell phone Sunday. "I learned a lot of lessons about life there. It made me a better person in a lot of ways. But the way I left was pretty immature. I've heard people say that, and they're right. I should have handled it better.

Demetrius Jones

Demetrius Jones is transferring to NIU.
High School: Chicago (Morgan Park) Rivals: 4 star
Scout: 4 star
Top 100: (54)
ESPN Top 150: (62)
Tom Lemming Top 100: (39)
Army All-American Game
Parade All-American

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Graduated from Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Ill. ... one of seven quarterbacks on Parade prep All-America team ... rated 33rd on list of top 100 prep players nationally by USA Today ... rated 39th on list of top 100 players nationally by Chicago Sun-Times ... rated third on list of top 20 players in Midwest on Detroit Free-Press Best in the Midwest team ... Gatorade Player of the Year for 2005 in Illinois ... rated 55th on list of top 100 players in the nation by Dallas Morning News ... rated 105th on list of top 150 players nationally by CollegeFootballNews.com ... MVP of Chicago Prep Bowl after catching game-winning TD pass for Morgan Park High School in Chicago, Ill., in 14-13 overtime win over Brother Rice ... threw 23-yard TD pass on final play of game to beat Simeon 18-14 ... selected for U.S. Army All-American Bowl prep all-star game ... only quarterback on 25-member 2005 Illinois large-school (5A, 6A, 7A, 8A) all-state team by Chicago Sun-Times ... rated top senior player in Illinois by Chicago Tribune ... second-team all-state quarterback by Chicago Tribune ... 12-2 season mark helped earn him mention on Illinois all-state team for `05 by Champaign News-Gazette... threw for 2,000 yards and 25 TDs as senior in '05 ... listed 99th on '05 preseason list of top players in the country (and 14th among quarterbacks) by The Sporting News ... one of 50 players overall and seven quarterbacks on '05 preseason prep All-America team by Street & Smith's ... one of 10 quarterbacks on '05 preseason top 100 list by Lindy's ... one of nine quarterbacks on '05 national preseason top 100 by CBS SportsLine.com ... Chicago Tribune honorable mention all-state selection as junior ... threw for 2,300 yards and 21 TDs with only three interceptions as junior in '04 when he helped Morgan Park to state playoff semifinal ... rushed for another 1,000 yards and 16 TDs on the ground ... from same high school as `05 senior Irish linebacker and current New England Patriot Corey Mays ... born Jan. 3, 1988 ... high school coach was Lexie Spurlock ... enrolled in College of Arts and Letters.

The Chicago Sun-Times: Soldier of Fortune
- NIU | Marine Coffman's latest adventure on Huskies' front line

Jake Coffman's game isn't nearly as polished as his shoes or belt buckle, but it's getting better. And the 23-year-old ex-Marine who served two tours in Iraq before walking on to the Northern Illinois football team last year has worked his way into the Huskies' defensive line rotation.

''We didn't know about him,'' defensive ends coach Mike Sabock said. ''He just showed up and wanted to play football. He was on the scout team and had no idea what he was doing. He'd just run around and hit people.''

SIU Game Pictures

EASTERN MICHIGAN (0-2) at NORTHERN ILLINOIS (0-2)

When: Saturday, Sept 15 @ 11:00 a.m.

TV: WPWR-Chicago & WTVO-Rockford

Radio: WSCR-AM 670 and WLBK-AM 1360

Special Promotions: Family & Youth Day, Band Day, Biz/Ag Day

NIU Live: Wednesday at 10pm - WSCR-AM 670

Inside Huskie Sports: Thursday at 5pm - CSN Chicago

GAMEDAY:

Parking Map

DeKalb Weather

Northern Illinois Weekly Release and Depth Chart

Eastern Michigan Weekly Release and Depth Chart

TAILGATING:

Tailgating (Cardinal) Lot opens at 6:00 a.m.
General lots open at 7:30 a.m.
We're meeting at Fatty's by 7:30.
If you're not meeting us at Fatty's, use the Parking Map and find us in the Cardinal Lot.

POST GAME:

Tailgating until they kick us out of the lot. After the game, Fatty's will have a Half Way to St. Patrick's Day celebration with specials on Guinness, Killian's and Jameson's.

EASTERN MICHIGAN FACTS:

Location: Ypsilanti, MI

Founded: 1849

Enrollment: 24,000

Conference: MAC (West)

Nickname: Eagles

Colors: Green and White

First Year of Football: 1891

All Time Football Record: 421-492-47

All Time vs NIU: 13-22-2

Last meeting (2006 at EMU): NIU 27-0

Coach: Jeff Genyk (9-27 at EMU)

EASTERN MICHIGAN LINKS:

Football Website

Roster

Schedule/Results

Season Statistics

The Chicago Tribune: SIU will test Nicholson's growth as QB


The Northern Star: Huskies ready for Sluki showdown


The Northern Star: NIU not looking to be the next Michigan