NORTHERN ILLINOIS

Northern Illinois’ football season has about as much potential and life as the Dole presidential campaign, yet the Huskies keep plugging along with a 1-8 record.

Northern sophomore flanker Deon Mitchell is taking all those kickoff returns (the Huskies have been outscored three touchdowns to one) and making a name for himself. Saturday against Lousiana Tech, Mitchell had four returns for 97 yards, including a career-long 65-yard romp.

Mitchell needs just 27 more return yards to break former Huskie John Spills’ single-season record of 690 in 1968.