Central Michigan Team Report

Scouting The Offense:  

Over the past three contests, the Chippewas’ passing offense has amassed 1,089 yards and accounted for six touchdowns.

Perhaps most impressively however is the fact that the Chips have done most of their damage with backup QB Brian Brunner at the helm with Brunner accounting for 833 yards as the starter in two of those three games.

The rushing attack however took a step back last week after showing signs of life against Toledo Oct. 25. Against the Hoosiers, the Chips managed only 37 yards on the ground, averaging 1.2 yards per carry.

Scouting The Defense:  

The Chippewas have been a classic bend don’t break defense this season.

In their last two games the defense struggled, as it has all season, against the pass but held steady with the game on the line.

The defense came up with two critical fourth-quarter stops against the Hoosiers to preserve victory but still gave up nearly 500 yards in offense before stiffening.

For the season the Chips pass defense is allowing a league-worst 272.1 yards per game but the Chips also have recorded a league-high 24 sacks, stepping up with big stops on several occasions.

Quote To Note:   “I think the goal of any program is to be in the top 25 and certainly that is a goal in our program. It is nice to get our foot in the door, be we have to keep taking care of business and win our remaining games if we hope to have a chance to reach that goal.”—Central Michigan QB Brian Brunner told the Morning Sun.

Strategy And Personnel

Players To Watch:   WR Antonio Brown is proving to be the spark plug that fires the Chippewas’ offensive attack. The sophomore speedster has snared 17 receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the Chips’ two most recent victories and is second in the MAC in all-purpose yards, averaging 167.6 yards per game.

WR Bryan Anderson—While Brown provides the flash, Anderson provides a steady, reliable presence in the Chips’ receiving corps. Anderson, the Chippewas all-time leader in career receptions, has hauled in a team-high five receiving touchdowns and is averaging 14.6 yards per catch.

DL Mark Dietz—With the Chips short-handed on the defensive line due to injuries, Dietz has stepped up to fill the void, recording a career-high three sacks against Indiana Nov. 1.

Roster Report:  

• QB Dan LeFevour is expected to return to the starting lineup after sitting out last week’s victory over Indiana with an ankle injury. LeFevour has missed two of the Chippewas’ last three contests.

• NG Casey Droscha is out with a knee injury suffered Oct. 18 against Western Michigan.

• QB Brian Brunner was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week by the league in addition to receiving Offensive Player of the Week honors from MAC Report Online.

On the national scene, Brunner was nominated as a finalist for the AT&T All-America Player of the Week award for his 485-yard passing performance against Indiana Nov. 1 after earlier being recognized as the Walter Camp Foundation’s National Player of the Week.

Northern Illinois Team Report

Inside Slant

The thought of a bowl game is not out of the question for the Huskies. Last week’s 45-14 loss to Ball State ended a three-game winning streak, but the Huskies (5-4, 4-2 MAC) remain in contention for a bowl bid.

One national publication even predicted the Huskies would play in the Independence Bowl.

Shaking off their worst game of the season will be a character test for the Huskies, who allowed 529 yards to Ball State.

The Huskies can enhance their bowl resume with a victory over two-time defending MAC West champion Central Michigan. The Huskies need one victory to become bowl-eligible.

However, the Chippewas should be rested and motivated following a 11-day break after their victory over Indiana. The Chippewas haven’t won a game in DeKalb since 1977.

“They have a great student section,” Central Michigan coach Butch Jones said of playing at Northern Illinois. “Every time we’ve played there it’s been extremely loud. So that affects your communication.”

“Every quarterback has a different style and there’s a little bit of a different style to them,” said coach Jerry Kill of Northern Illinois. “It certainly would help to know who the triggerman was. We’ll do what we do.”

The Huskies still lead the MAC in total defense after the Ball State debacle. The defense is allowing 296.3 yards per game and ranks second in scoring defense at 17.1 points a game.

The Huskies enter the Central Michigan game with a strong homefield advantage, winning all four games this year at Huskie Stadium.

A big game passing the ball would help the Huskies. Five receivers own 10 or more catches, but the Huskies lack a reliable threat. Marcus Perez leads the group with 21 catches, while Nathan Palmer owns a team-high 278 yards.

Notes, Quotes

• DE Larry English’s 28 career sacks rank second among active FBS players. His 206 sack yards lead all FBS players.

• C Eddie Adamski has earned the team’s offensive linemen of the week three times this year. He had two of his best games of the year against Bowling Green and Ball State, grading out at 89% and 88%.

Scouting The Offense:   A Northern Illinois receiver didn’t catch a pass in the victory over Bowling Green, the first time that has happened since 1995, but the receivers bounced back to haul in 10-of-14 completions against Ball State.

Scouting The Defense:   Last week’s 45-14 loss to Ball State jumped Northern Illinois’ scoring defense average to 17.1 points a game. Still, the Huskies remain solid in the first quarter, holding opponents to 24 total points in the first 15 minutes.

Quote To Note:   “Playing on Wednesday gives us great television exposure. But it makes it really difficult on the players in terms of the classroom. When you travel, you’re missing several days of school with a midweek game.”—Coach Jerry Kill, on playing four straight midweek games.

Strategy And Personnel

• DE Larry English is a premier player with skills to disrupt Central Michigan’s offense.

• TB Me’co Brown should get plenty of carries to take the pressure of Northern Illinois’ passing game after a dismal running game against Ball State.

• QB Chandler Harnish has become an unexpected leader in his first season, He must limit turnovers and move the ball to keep Central Michigan’s offense off the field.

• WR Nathan Palmer will miss the Central Michigan game because of a leg injury.

• LB Cory Hanson is expected to play against the Chippewas.