The Daily Chronicle: NIU announces depth chart, but not starting QB

After months of insisting he’s not a coach who will rotate quarterbacks, Kill stuck to that sentiment Tuesday. But that doesn’t mean it will be either senior Dan Nicholson or redshirt freshman Chandler Harnish who sees the field exclusively.

“I don’t want to give away everything here, but there will be situations where I’ll plug some different personnel in,” Kill said. “I know (Minnesota) watched our film.”

The Midweek: Red shirt now ready for NIU

Despite those glowing [high school] statistics, Thorgesen will take the field this year for the Huskies on the other side of the ball - as a safety.

“You have to take it as an opportunity to play faster,” he said. “Safety is the best spot for me, so I couldn’t be happier.”

USA Today: Around the MAC

Northern Illinois at Minnesota, Aug. 30 This is a game the Huskies can win. The Huskies have the talent, experience and motivation to surprise many teams, including the Gophers. A game filled with many highlights might be in store as both programs adjust to new personnel.

The Chicago Tribune: English's second language: Defense for Northern Illinois

"I spent my whole last summer trying to figure out how to block Larry," Kill said, recalling preparations for his Southern Illinois team's trip to DeKalb in Week 2 last season. "So I do know Larry."

So do a lot of others, including a number of NFL teams as well as those who draw up watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski (best college defensive player) and Ted Hendricks (best college defensive end) awards.

The Daily Chronicle: Viewpoint: NIU football truly begins this week

1. Who starts at quarterback?

We still don’t have an answer to this question. Dan Nicholson took a lot of reps last week and said his sore throwing shoulder was fine. Chandler Harnish took the majority of the reps with the No. 1 offense. The guess here is Harnish will start, but does Kill want to go into his first game, in a hostile environment, with an untested freshman?

The Courier News: Kill rolling up his sleeves, bringing hands-on approach to Huskies

Dwarfed by a majority of his players, the bespectacled Northern Illinois coach sports a straw hat to protect his bald head from the hot sun. He may hit pause -- but rarely stops -- moving from group to group to take a "hands-on" approach.

"They're paying me a lot of money to get the job done, so I want to make damn sure I know what the hell is going on," said Kill, who left Southern Illinois after seven years last December to succeed the retiring Joe Novak.

The Beacon News: Starting QB for opener remains a mystery

Senior quarterback Dan Nicholson resumed throwing in practice earlier in the week after taking no snaps in last Saturday's scrimmage, but first-year coach Jerry Kill is playing it close to the vest as to who his starter will be. There probably won't be an announcement until game time (6 p.m. kickoff).

Redshirt freshman Chandler Harnish continues to get the most reps in practice. True freshman Brandon Rogers, junior Ryan Morris and redshirt freshman DeMarcus Grady also see time.

Our Old Tailgate Spot

I think our spot was right about where the Javelin run-up area begins.

Pictures: June 24, 2008

CollegeFootballNews.com: CFN Preseason All-Americans: DEs
-Larry English named Honorable Mention

Larry English, Sr. Northern Illinois

The best defensive player in the MAC, and possibly the best all-around player in the league not named Dan LeFevour, is English. A premier pass rusher who cranked out 67 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss despite being the focus of everyone's blocking scheme, and after coming off a knee injury, he needs to be back at 100percent after suffering a torn pectoral muscle this off-season. At 6-3 and 254 pounds, he has decent size and a blast of a first step. When he gets a step on a tackle, forget about it. While he's more of a beefed up linebacker playing end, he projects to be a great outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme at the next level.

The Chicago Tribune: Northern Illinois receiver Davis has more guts than glory
-Coach Jerry Kill likes receiver's attitude

"You have to stretch the field, but you also have to be able to block," Kill said. "You have to have good players in those [offensive] roles.

Accordingly, Davis added weight and mucscle because "[Kill] wants us to get bigger, but he also want us to run. That's his philosophy".

The Batavia Sun: NIU quarterback's health is concern, says coach

The clock is ticking, and time may not be on Dan Nicholson's side.

The Chicago Sun-Times: Kill wants NIU on fast track - Not even daunting early road schedule can dim new coach's optimism

''My philosophy is simple: run the ball, stop the run, build on speed and create mismatches. I know exactly where we are. Like old Willie Nelson said, 'Take it one day at a time.' Play the percentages, don't make mistakes and be accountable. Then keep chipping away at the fundamentals, and one day the big wins should start coming your way.''