A look at the schools that are overlooked by the ESPNs of the world.


Thursday, September 1, 2011

The overly detailed and unnecessary Army versus NIU preview





When: 9-3-2011, 7:00 PM EST
Where: DeKalb, IL
TV: espn3.com

                                 Army                  NIU
2010 Record                7-6                    11-3
Ended Season          Won Bowl          Won Bowl
Points Scored              26.6                    38.0
Points Allowed             24.3                   18.9
Total Offense PG         329.7                 450.0
Pass YPG                     78.1                  189.6
Pass TD                          7                       23
Pass INT                         3                        8
Rush YPG                   251.6                  260.4
Yards Per Rush              4.5                     6.3
Penalty Yards                40.9                    41.9
3rd Down %                  46%                    51%
4th Down %                   74%                    38%
Sacks                             25                       30
FG                               15-22                  19-30
Red Zone Scores            88%                    85%
Red Zone TD                  72%                    65%

NIU:
Key Losses:
1. Chad Spann, RB: 1388 yards rushing with 22 TDs, 9 catches for 45 yards.
2. Landon Cox, WR: 1 rush for 4 yards, 35 catches for 429 yards and 3 TDs.
3. Alex Kube, LB: 81 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 3rd team All-MAC.
4. Devon Butler, LB: Lost for the 2011 season due to off the field injuries sustained, 80 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 forced fumble.
5. Tyrone Clark, LB: According to the school website: Will not play for the Huskies in 2011 but will participate in practices and workouts. 78 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 4 interceptions.

2011 Depth Chart: (all depth charts are based on current info given by schools)

WR (X):
#1 Martel Moore 6-2, 182, Jr., San Antonio, TX
#13 Anthony Johnson 6-3, 192, So.-R, San Antonio, TX

WR (Y):
#4 Da’Ron Brown 6-1, 192, Fr.-R, Chicago, IL
#3 DeMarcus Grady 6-1, 208, Sr.-R, Grand Rapids, MI

WR (F):
#81 Nathan Palmer 5-11, 197, Sr.-R, Elkhart, IN
#22 Jamison Wells 5-11, 187, So.-R, Combined Locks, WI

TE:
#89 Jack Marks 6-6, 251, Sr.-R, Orland Park, IL
#88 Tim Semisch 6-8, 270, Fr.-R, Omaha, NE

LT:
#62 Trevor Olson 6-6, 300, Sr.-R, Richfield, MN
#67 Tyler Pitt 6-6, 292, Fr.-R, McRae, GA

LG:
#70 Logan Pegram 6-3, 310, Jr.-R, Silver Lake, KS
#77 Jared Volk 6-3, 307, So.-R, Hartland, WI

C:
#71 Scott Wedige 6-4, 309, Sr.-R, Elkhorn, WI
#59 Mike Gegner 6-3, 283, Fr.-R, Indianapolis, IN

RG:
#72 Joe Pawlak 6-5, 301, Sr.-R, Grayslake, IL
#66 Matt Battaglia 6-4, 280, Jr., Chicago, IL

RT:
#68 Keith Otis 6-4, 317, Sr.-R, Chicago, IL
#78 Ryan Brown 6-7, 271, Fr.-R, Elburn, IL

WR (Z):
#10 Willie Clark 6-1, 210, Sr.-R, Roselle, IL
#7 Perez Ashford 5-10, 184, Jr., Shaker Heights, OH

QB:
#12 Chandler Harnish 6-2, 221, Sr.-R, Bluffton, IN
#6 Jordan Lynch 6-1, 219, So.-R, Chicago, IL

FB:
#32 Cameron Bell 6-2, 250, Sr.-R, Round Rock, TX
#83 Luke Eakes 6-4, 250, Fr.-R, St. Marys, KS

TB:
#25 Jasmin Hopkins 5-9, 181, Sr, Stanley, NC
#30 Akeem Daniels 5-7, 183, So., Kissimmee, FL

PK:
#99 Mathew Sims 5-11, 180, So., Hannibal, MO
#37 Josh Gallington 5-11, 185, Jr., Bakersfield, CA

KO:
#26 Tyler Wedel 6-0, 180, Fr., McFarland, WI
#2 Ryan Fillingim 6-0, 205, Sr.-R, Hoffman Estates, IL

P:
#18 Ryan Neir 6-3, 206, Jr.-R, Roscoe, IL
#26 Tyler Wedel 6-0, 180, Fr., McFarland, WI

SN(K):
#93 Adam Coleman 6-3, 251, Sr., Bettendorf, IA
#84 Brian Mayer 6-3, 195, Fr.-R, Orland Park, IL

SN (P):
#84 Brian Mayer 6-3, 195, Fr.-R,Orland Park, IL
#93 Adam Coleman 6-3, 251, Sr., Bettendorf, IA

HO:
#18 Ryan Neir 6-3, 206, Jr.-R, Roscoe, IL
#12 Chandler Harnish 6-2, 221, Sr.-R, Bluffton, IN

RS:
#20 Tommy Davis 5-11, 201, Jr.-R, East St. Louis, IL
#7 Perez Ashford 5-10, 184, Jr., Shaker Heights, OH

RE:
#97 Joe Windsor 6-1, 231, So., Kearney, MO
#90 Alan Baxter 6-0, 252, Jr., Buffalo Grove, IL

DT:
#91 Anthony Wells 6-3, 271, So.-R, North Chicago, IL
#96 Ron Newcomb 6-3, 279, Sr.-R, Wheatfield, IN

NG:
#99 Nabal Jefferson 5-11, 281, Jr., Chicago, IL
#98 Frank Boenzi 6-3, 310, Fr.-R, Geneva, IL

DE:
#95 Sean Progar 6-3, 260, Jr.-R, Glenview, IL
#57 Kyle Jenkins 6-4, 258, Sr.-R, Itasca, IL

OLB:
#6 Jamaal Bass 6-0, 219, Fr.-R, Miramar, FL
#52 Michael Santacaterina 6-0. 215, Fr.-R, Geneva, IL

MLB:
#53 Pat Schiller 6-2, 234, Sr.-R, Geneva, IL
#40 Victor Jacques 6-1, 220, Jr.-R, Miami, FL

OLB:
#29 Jordan Delegal 6-1, 214, Sr.-R, Miami, FL
#39 Gervaise Porter 6-0, 211, So.-R, Robbins, IL

CB:
#11 Rashaan Melvin 6-2, 190, Jr.-R, Waukegan, IL
#17 Marckie Hayes 5-8, 180, Fr.-R, Sycamore, IL

SS:
#20 Tommy Davis 5-11, 201, Jr.-R, East St. Louis, IL
#14 Courtney Stephen 6-0, 195, Jr.-R, Brampton, Ontario

FS:
#19 Demetrius Stone 5-11, 199, Jr., Miami, FL
#15 Jimmie Ward 6-0, 180, So., Mobile, AL

CB:
#24 Dominique Ware 6-0, 180, So.-R, Bolingbrook, IL
#2 Sean Evans 5-11, 180, So.-R, Ft. Walton Beach, FL


Army
Key Losses:
1. Patrick Mealy, SB: 470 yards rushing, 2 TDs, 4 catches for 45 yards, 3 kickoff returns for 34 yards.
2. Steven Anderson, LB: 108 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 2 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries, 4 forced fumbles.
3. Donovan Travis, DB: 60 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries.


Depth Chart:
NSE — TRIPLE OPTION

WR:
#13 DAVYD BROOKS JR. 6-3 212
#2 Anthony Stephens So. 6-2 190

LT:
#78 Brad Kelly Sr. 6-5 250
#68 Mike McDermott Sr. 6-6 269

LG:
#79 FRANK ALLEN JR. 6-4 275
#60 Jordan Pleasants Sr. 6-2 264

C:
#66 Will Wilson Jr. 6-2 285
#77 Michael Kime So. 6-2 246

RG:
#56 Joe Bailey Sr. 6-2 274
#71 Matt Villanti Jr. 6-3 278

RT:
#65 Derek Bisgard Jr. 6-1 253
#58 Ben Jebb jr. 6-5 246

QB:
#8 TRENT STEELMAN JR. 6-0 204
#11 Max Jenkins Sr. 6-2 195

FB:
#7 JARED HASSIN JR. 6-3 230
#43 Dan McGue Jr. 6-2 229

SB:
#1 Raymond Maples So. 6-1 200
#22 Kelechi Odocha Jr. 5-7 185

SB:
#23 MALCOLM BROWN JR. 5-11 180
#32 Brian Cobbs Jr. 5-11 185

WR:
#87 AUSTIN BARR SR. 6-4 210
#81 Justin Allen So. 5-10 179

DEFENSE — DOUBLE-EAGLE FLEX
QUICK:
#34 JARETT MACKEY JR. 6-1 235
#95 Shola Mustapha Jr. 6-1 217

LT:
#44 Clayton Keller So. 6-1 226
#76 Parker Whitten Jr. 6-2 245

RT:
#92 A.J. Mackey Jr. 6-0 260
#56 Corey Watts So. 5-11 220

DE:
#88 Holt Zalneraitis So. 6-2 225
#59 CHAD LITTLEJOHN SR. 6-0 236

WHIP:
#40 Zach Watts Jr. 5-11 207
#42 Andrew Rodriguez Sr. 6-3 217

MLB:
#22 Nate Combs Jr. 6-1 225
#19 Kyler Martin Jr. 6-2 200

ROV:
#9 STEVEN ERZINGER SR. 6-2 222
#5 Justin Trimble So. 5-11 200

FC:
#14 JOSH JACKSON JR. 6-0 185
#21 Waverly Washington Jr. 5-10 194

SS:
#15 Lyle Beloney So. 5-11 195
#25 Reggie Nesbit So. 6-2 190

FS:
#17 Tyler Dickson So. 5-11 195
#11 Thomas Holloway So. 5-11 190

BC:
#3 Antuan Aaron Sr. 5-10 188
#10 James Whittington Jr. 5-10 186

PK:
#39 ALEX CARLTON SR. 6-0 187
#37 Eric Osteen Jr. 6-1 187

KO:
#39 Alex Carlton Jr. 6-0 187
#37 Eric Osteen Jr. 6-1 187

P:
#38 Kolin Walk Sr. 6-0 190
#18 Chris Boldt Jr. 6-0 181

H:
#38 Kolin Walk Sr. 6-0 199
#18 Chris Boldt Jr. 6-0 181

KR:
#14 Josh Jackson JR. 6-0 185
#1 Raymond Maples So. 6-1 200

PR:
#14 Josh Jackson Jr. 6-0 185
#29 Josh Jones Sr. 6-0 199

LS:
#76 Parker Whitten Jr. 6-2 245
#89 Frank Ceva Sr. 6-2 222


Position Matchups:

• Quarterbacks: With the statistics of the NIU quarterback Harnish, MIU easily gets the nod over Army. Harnish was all-conference at the quarterback position in the MAC conference. Army quarterback Trent Steeleman did not throw for many yards but did an impressive job running the option attack for the Black Knights. NIU

• Running Backs: In a closer than expected race, Army’s triple option gets the nod due to the number of returning players at key positions in the running game. The carries are more split up than in a traditional offense so it is easier to plug in players and keep the offense running. NIU will be without star running back Chad Spann who moved on to the NFL signing with the Colts as a free agent. If the Huskies can find someone to fill the shoes of Spann, then they could make things much closer. Army

• Receivers: Plain and simple, this is a landslide for the Huskies of NIU. The top three receivers are returning combining for 111 catches and over 1600 yards. The Black Knights do not throw the ball very much so this will be a huge check for NIU. NIU

• Offensive Line: When you run the ball as often as Army, the offensive line must be strong and able to control the line of scrimmage. The offensive line only returns one starter from 2010 although many of the new starters have plenty of game experience. NIU’s offensive line paved the way for Chad Spann to become a household name in the MAC and to NFL scouts eventually signing with the Indianapolis Colts. This offensive line has 4 senior starters and a strong passing game to fall back on so expect the Huskies offensive line to have another outstanding season. Push

• Defensive Line: NIU gets the nod here due to the size and depth of the defensive line. The Huskies are able to get bigger and stronger players on the defensive line due to the great recruiting of the previous and now current coaching staff. The defensive line only has one lineman who is over 250 pounds and several who are in the 220 range making them small but quick. The defensive line of the NIU Huskies has three of the four starters in the 260-280 pound range. The strength of the defensive line of NIU will be hard to overcome. NIU

• Linebackers: Army gets the nod here due in part to the losses of NIU to graduation and other factors. NIU will be breaking in a new starter at SLB, WLB, and MLB with Devin Butler and Tyrone Clark still on the team but sitting out due to off the field issues. Army has a load of linebackers that have some experience on the field but not so much on the starting level. Army

• Secondary: NIU gets the nod due to a very talented and tall defensive backfield that will not get much action in the passing attack. Army’s defensive backfield will face a stern test with the passing attack of the Huskies. The secondary will give up a lot of yards but if they can keep the Huskies to 3 points instead of 7 points on many occasions, then Army could surprise. NIU

• Special Teams: Both teams have solid special teams with NIU being better at the returning game. TO decide which special teams is better goes down to the field goal kicking game. Army returns a kicker that made 41/42 XPs, and 15 of 22 field goals including a very impressive 8/11 from 40-49 yards. Army

• Overall: With a new coaching staff in DeKalb, Illinois after a very impressive 2010 season, NIU will be ready to add to the accomplishments of the senior class of 2011. Losing running back Chad Spann to graduation will be a significant blow but the return of quarterback Chandler Harnish as well as a defense that gave up only 18.9 points per game in 2010 will make sure that the Huskies have another great season. Army was competitive in 2010 to the point that the Black Knights made a bowl game and even won it giving them the first winning season in quite a while. The Black Knights were right on the edge of .500 ball throughout the season only outscoring their opponents by 2.3 points per game in 2010. NIU holds the home field advantage and that may just be enough to pull the Huskies by Army and set up a sensational showdown in Chicago versus reigning Big 10 Champion Wisconsin.



Prediction: Northern Illinois University wins it 31-17.

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