The Central Michigan football program has accomplished a lot over the last two seasons.
It started with winning the Mid-American Conference title in 2006.
Then the Chippewas ended its losing streak at Western Michigan. Another MAC title followed to end 2007, and just this year, the Chippewas finally picked up a win over the Big Ten, beating Indiana on Nov. 1.
But, even with all these accomplishments, CMU has still yet to get a win at Northern Illinois dating back to 1977, losing its last eight meetings in DeKalb, Ill.
"We haven't won there in 31 years and there are a number of things that go into that," CMU coach Butch Jones said. "It is extremely difficult to win on the road in this conference and Northern Illinois has always done a good job of protecting their home turf."
CMU has actually had plenty of success on the road, winning 12 of its last 14 MAC road games, but tonight's 8 p.m. contest with the Huskies is more than just an average game.
The Chippewas are looking to keep pace with Ball State in the MAC standings, as both sit unbeaten in conference play, with a potential matchup for the MAC West title waiting next Wednesday.
"I don't even know who we play next week, all I am thinking about is Northern Illinois and the great challenge that they pose for us," Jones said. "We have played one game at a time all season and this one will be no different. We have to be focused on Northern Illinois."
The Chippewas ended a nine-game losing streak to the Huskies last season in a 35-10 win at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. This season, the Huskies have been tough for anyone to beat, racking up a 5-4 record and a 4-2 mark in the MAC under first-year coach, Jerry Kill.
Prior to last week's 45-14 loss to Ball State, NIU had lost three games by no more than four points. On the season, the Huskies are 4-0 at Huskie Stadium.
"Our kids understand that we can't always control things on the road, but we can control our destiny at home," Kill said. "If you want to be a good football team, you have to win at home, and we have done that this season."
CMU has been off for 10 days, allowing the Chippewas to heal up a little bit. The Chippewas are expecting quarterback Dan LeFevour to return tonight, along with defensive tackle, Casey Droscha, who will play with a torn ACL in his knee. Center Colin Miller also returned to practice this week, but will be a game-time decision.
"This late in the season you will take as many extra days as possible in order to heal up as much as you can," Jones said. "We are expecting some guys to come back and some guys are going to play hurt. In a collision sport like this, you have to play hurt at times and our guys are willing to do that to help the team."
NIU has been led by its defense all season as the Huskies have allowed under 300 yards per-game. The Huskies have forced 15 turnovers on the season and have racked up 14 sacks, led by defensive end Larry English, who was the 2007 MAC Defensive MVP.
"Larry English is a great player but what makes him so tough to defend is that if you focus solely on stopping him, NIU has plenty of other guys that can step in," Jones said. "We just have to do our best to contain him and keep him off of our quarterbacks, but we can't turn all our attention to him because then the rest of their defensive line will hurt us."
On offense, the Huskies have been hit and miss, but have a strong weapon in quarterback Chandler Harnish, who can throw and pass. On the season Harnish has thrown for 765 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 266 yards and one score.
"NIU presents a lot of challenges on offense because Harnish is a factor in the run and the pass," Jones said. "(NIU) likes to keep you unbalanced and use leverage to move the ball. They are a physical team and play with a lot of toughness."
If CMU wins tonight, it would be the Chippewas sixth straight win and assure the Chippewas a chance to win the MAC West Division title against Ball State next week.
It started with winning the Mid-American Conference title in 2006.
Then the Chippewas ended its losing streak at Western Michigan. Another MAC title followed to end 2007, and just this year, the Chippewas finally picked up a win over the Big Ten, beating Indiana on Nov. 1.
But, even with all these accomplishments, CMU has still yet to get a win at Northern Illinois dating back to 1977, losing its last eight meetings in DeKalb, Ill.
"We haven't won there in 31 years and there are a number of things that go into that," CMU coach Butch Jones said. "It is extremely difficult to win on the road in this conference and Northern Illinois has always done a good job of protecting their home turf."
CMU has actually had plenty of success on the road, winning 12 of its last 14 MAC road games, but tonight's 8 p.m. contest with the Huskies is more than just an average game.
The Chippewas are looking to keep pace with Ball State in the MAC standings, as both sit unbeaten in conference play, with a potential matchup for the MAC West title waiting next Wednesday.
"I don't even know who we play next week, all I am thinking about is Northern Illinois and the great challenge that they pose for us," Jones said. "We have played one game at a time all season and this one will be no different. We have to be focused on Northern Illinois."
The Chippewas ended a nine-game losing streak to the Huskies last season in a 35-10 win at Kelly/Shorts Stadium. This season, the Huskies have been tough for anyone to beat, racking up a 5-4 record and a 4-2 mark in the MAC under first-year coach, Jerry Kill.
Prior to last week's 45-14 loss to Ball State, NIU had lost three games by no more than four points. On the season, the Huskies are 4-0 at Huskie Stadium.
"Our kids understand that we can't always control things on the road, but we can control our destiny at home," Kill said. "If you want to be a good football team, you have to win at home, and we have done that this season."
CMU has been off for 10 days, allowing the Chippewas to heal up a little bit. The Chippewas are expecting quarterback Dan LeFevour to return tonight, along with defensive tackle, Casey Droscha, who will play with a torn ACL in his knee. Center Colin Miller also returned to practice this week, but will be a game-time decision.
"This late in the season you will take as many extra days as possible in order to heal up as much as you can," Jones said. "We are expecting some guys to come back and some guys are going to play hurt. In a collision sport like this, you have to play hurt at times and our guys are willing to do that to help the team."
NIU has been led by its defense all season as the Huskies have allowed under 300 yards per-game. The Huskies have forced 15 turnovers on the season and have racked up 14 sacks, led by defensive end Larry English, who was the 2007 MAC Defensive MVP.
"Larry English is a great player but what makes him so tough to defend is that if you focus solely on stopping him, NIU has plenty of other guys that can step in," Jones said. "We just have to do our best to contain him and keep him off of our quarterbacks, but we can't turn all our attention to him because then the rest of their defensive line will hurt us."
On offense, the Huskies have been hit and miss, but have a strong weapon in quarterback Chandler Harnish, who can throw and pass. On the season Harnish has thrown for 765 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 266 yards and one score.
"NIU presents a lot of challenges on offense because Harnish is a factor in the run and the pass," Jones said. "(NIU) likes to keep you unbalanced and use leverage to move the ball. They are a physical team and play with a lot of toughness."
If CMU wins tonight, it would be the Chippewas sixth straight win and assure the Chippewas a chance to win the MAC West Division title against Ball State next week.
