The Rockford Register Star: Huskies are in desperate straits

"We want to send the seniors out on a good note," QB Dan Nicholson said during Tuesday’s news conference. "They have done a lot for this program and have been around for five years now. We want to get them a win, but most importantly, a home win. It’s been a long time since this program went winless at home in a season."

The Daily Chronicle: Northern Illinois to face MAC's best RB

“Our focus is on trying to do the best we can for the last three games of this season,” Novak said. “I know we would like to finish strong and give the seniors a good taste before they leave the team. We are just focusing on taking one game at a time and trying to finish this season out right. Any time you finish off the year on a high note, it makes the winter seem better, it makes the spring program better, and it makes the summer program better as well. It makes the whole program feel better. So it is important to finish the season strong.”

WTVO-17 (Rockford): Watch

NIU's football team will try to salvage a dismal season during the final stretch run.

The Huskies attempt to snap a five game losing streak Saturday when they host Kent State in DeKalb. Kent State is led by the MAC's leading rusher Eugene Jarius. He reminds Huskie coach Joe Novak of Garrett Wolfe because Jarius stands only 5-feet-5-inches tall.

This season has been a nightmare for the 1-8 Huskies. With three games to go the're more-less trying to build some positives heading into next year.

"We don't have a championship to play for," said head coach Joe Novak. "We don't have a winning season to play for, but 98 percent of our football team is coming back so for those kids they're starting to play to get a good taste back for next year's team."

The Huskies are well rested. They're coming off a bye week. After Kent State they'll travel to Navy and then finish up by hosting Ball State Thanksgiving weekend.