It's a story taking on a familiar tone, arc and cast of characters.
Northern Illinois goes to a BCS school, hangs tough, plays well and ultimately comes up short. Already three times under coach Jerry Kill, the Huskies have been within one possession in the final minute. But, each time, it ends the same way. Another close loss.
"It's tough," sophomore linebacker Pat Schiller said. "We keep almost getting a victory. We just want to win now. We're always a touchdown away from winning. It's frustrating because we're so close. It's all about finishing."
Based on NIU's most recent performance against a BCS team, starting wouldn't be a bad idea either when the Huskies take on Purdue this morning at 11 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. NIU allowed a touchdown to Wisconsin on the Badgers' first play from scrimmage in the season-opener and came away with only six points on two first-half trips to the red zone.
"Against Wisconsin, we kind of dug ourselves into a hole and we had to make a comeback," Schiller said. "This week will be a good opportunity for us to show what we can do and what we're capable of doing."
One benefit the Huskies will have is that this game isn't the first college game for the freshmen that play in NIU's various rotations.
Freshman wide receiver Perez Ashford said he was nervous before the Wisconsin game, and it took actually being out on the field to get used to the atmosphere and understand the speed opposing teams play at.
Now the veteran of all of two games doesn't feel he'll have that same type of nervousness.
"I like challenges," Ashford said. "I like being the underdog. It should be fun."
Kill said that with the success the Mid-American Conference had last week against BCS teams ? Toledo knocking off Colorado and Central Michigan winning at Michigan State ? that nothing really surprises him anymore when it comes to non-BCS wins over BCS teams.
"It is a week-to-week thing," Kill said. "You see somebody win and you must think they are good, and then the next week they get beat. Kids have a lot out on there mind. To keep a group of people focused week in and week out is very difficult to do. You better be ready to play."
That's why this week gets the same treatment as any other from the coaching staff, BCS opponent or not.
"I approach every game like it's a bowl game," Kill said. "We're going to approach the next game like it's a bowl game. You take one game at a time and who ever you're playing you get your football team ready to play.
"That's pretty much how we've done it. We do not get too high. We don't get too low. We've been pretty consistent. I'm convinced that we're going to be ready to play."
Northern Illinois goes to a BCS school, hangs tough, plays well and ultimately comes up short. Already three times under coach Jerry Kill, the Huskies have been within one possession in the final minute. But, each time, it ends the same way. Another close loss.
"It's tough," sophomore linebacker Pat Schiller said. "We keep almost getting a victory. We just want to win now. We're always a touchdown away from winning. It's frustrating because we're so close. It's all about finishing."
Based on NIU's most recent performance against a BCS team, starting wouldn't be a bad idea either when the Huskies take on Purdue this morning at 11 at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind. NIU allowed a touchdown to Wisconsin on the Badgers' first play from scrimmage in the season-opener and came away with only six points on two first-half trips to the red zone.
"Against Wisconsin, we kind of dug ourselves into a hole and we had to make a comeback," Schiller said. "This week will be a good opportunity for us to show what we can do and what we're capable of doing."
One benefit the Huskies will have is that this game isn't the first college game for the freshmen that play in NIU's various rotations.
Freshman wide receiver Perez Ashford said he was nervous before the Wisconsin game, and it took actually being out on the field to get used to the atmosphere and understand the speed opposing teams play at.
Now the veteran of all of two games doesn't feel he'll have that same type of nervousness.
"I like challenges," Ashford said. "I like being the underdog. It should be fun."
Kill said that with the success the Mid-American Conference had last week against BCS teams ? Toledo knocking off Colorado and Central Michigan winning at Michigan State ? that nothing really surprises him anymore when it comes to non-BCS wins over BCS teams.
"It is a week-to-week thing," Kill said. "You see somebody win and you must think they are good, and then the next week they get beat. Kids have a lot out on there mind. To keep a group of people focused week in and week out is very difficult to do. You better be ready to play."
That's why this week gets the same treatment as any other from the coaching staff, BCS opponent or not.
"I approach every game like it's a bowl game," Kill said. "We're going to approach the next game like it's a bowl game. You take one game at a time and who ever you're playing you get your football team ready to play.
"That's pretty much how we've done it. We do not get too high. We don't get too low. We've been pretty consistent. I'm convinced that we're going to be ready to play."
