Vaurice Patterson, Northern Illinois’ football-basketball star from Conant High School, had to confess:
“To tell the truth, I’m the slowest receiver on our team.”
Patterson was fast enough Thursday night, however, to catch a 48-yard pass and to return a punt 76 yards. Each play set up a Huskies touchdown.
Patterson’s punt return was the second longest in NIU history. Rodney Taylor set the record of 89 yards against Bowling Green in 1985.
In a rush: Brian Grimes, who succeeds 1993 NCAA rushing leader LeShon Johnson as NIU’s tailback, scored the Huskies’ first points of the season. He swept 13 yards for the TD that trimmed Oklahoma State’s lead to 21-7 at the half.
Stating a fact: Thursday night’s opener marked the first time Oklahoma State has played football in Illinois. The Cowboys beat Southern Illinois in 1973 and Illinois State in 1986. Both games were in Stillwater. The Cowboys’ record in openers is 52-35-5, but only 12-29-1 in openers away from home.
Selling the seats: NIU Athletic Director Cary Groth said stadium renovation is on schedule. Season-ticket sales for newly installed chairback seats in the west stands have exceeded the goal of 1,000 seats, she said.
“We’ve had prospects go to other schools because the other schools had better facilities,” said Groth. “We need improvements to help recruiting.”