Football heads to NIU for pivotal MAC west matchup
It’s been a down year for Northern Illinois so far, but that doesn’t change the Central Michigan football team’s take on the Huskies.
CMU travels to DeKalb, Illinois, on Saturday to face an NIU team that has one of the best records in the country since 2010 (66-24 overall, 25-4 at home).
During that span, CMU is one of two Mid-American Conference teams to beat NIU at home.
This year, the Huskies limp into Saturday’s contest with a 1-5 record, and are in a three-way tie with CMU and Eastern Michigan for third place in the Mid-American Conference West Division at 1-1.
NIU has played in a Football Subdivision record six consecutive MAC Championship games.
Bonamego, captains support raising fists during national anthem
Prior to last week's 24-21 victory against Ball State, four players raised their fists during the playing of the national anthem to raise awareness about racial discrimination.
Despite the rough start to the season, CMU head coach John Bonamego said NIU’s record so far won’t matter.
“They definitely have our attention,” he said. “However they got to the point they are in their season we’re still expecting their best. You don’t go to six straight conference championships unless you’re doing something right. I’m sure they’re very frustrated. As far as conference record goes, they’re 1-1, same as us. We know this will be like always; anytime these two teams square off, it’s going to be a physical game.”
The Chippewas enter Saturday’s matchup riding a 24-21 victory over Ball State, which snapped a two-game losing streak.
In that game, senior quarterback Cooper Rush was sacked five times after being sacked eight times against Western Michigan the previous week. Despite the offensive lines recent struggles, Rush said he believes they will protect him better against the Huskies.
“We had a great week of practice up front this week,” he said. “That should really help us. We have to stay out tough passing situations like third and long. That’s tough for any offensive line.”
Defense is where the Huskies have struggled the most, allowing 37.8 points a game, which is second-worst in the MAC.
NIU is allowing a MAC second-worst 499 yards per game and 227 yards rushing per game.
Rush said the Huskies are a tough team to beat on the road despite their defensive struggles.
“They have a program down there that’s used to winning,” he said. “They find ways to win in the MAC whether they’re playing well or not. They have that winning attitude that finds ways to win especially at home.”
Senior safety Tony Annese will return to the field for CMU after missing the last three games due to a pulled muscle in his calf.
“(Missing games) was hurtful for me, so I’m ready to get back out there and help my team,” Annese said.
Annese said he won’t be rusty heading into the matchup.
“I had to make sure I was 100 percent healthy before I got back out there,” he said. “I’m going to play full speed and make plays.”
NIU is led by senior quarterback and WMU transfer Anthony Maddie. Maddie is a dual-threat quarterback averaging 166 yards passing and 78 yards rushing.
Maddie’s top target is senior receiver Kenny Golladay, who leads the MAC in receptions and is second in the conference in receiving yards and third in touchdown catches.
In order for CMU to leave Dekalb with a victory, Annese said the team has to study their game plan and limit mistakes on the road.
“We have to contain their offense,” Annese said. “They’ve got a good receiver, and they’re a team that knows how to win, so we just have to come prepared.”
