Northern Illinois finished 10-2 last year and will carry records of 5-2 overall and 4-0 in the Mid-American Conference onto the field at Western Michigan Saturday. The offensive line of center Brian Van Aker, guards Ben Lueck and Matt McGhghy and tackles Jake VerStraete and Doug Free has received much of the credit for the Huskies’ success.
“Garrett Wolfe is a very good back, but remember, he runs behind a fine offensive line,” Central Michigan coach Brian Kelly said after Wolfe scooted for 226 yards and four touchdowns in last week’s 42-10 victory.
Western Michigan coach Gary Darnell complimented NIU’s staff for the development of the line.
“The MAC is a development league,” Darnell said. “At Northern, they do a great job building up the players physically and teaching techniques. They don’t do too many things, but the things they do they do well.”