[2024] Huskies Insider: NIU Comes Up Big At Cal! Plus Recruiting Updates

[Ape]

DeKalb, IL 

Welcome back to Huskies Insider, your #1 source of NIU Football news. Today we will talk about a huge Week 1 Victory for the Huskies and have a first look at the top recruit Coach Ape is targeting so far and what it might mean for the Huskies.

Huskies Come Up Huge Against Cal In Tough First Road Test.

The Huskies Celebrate after Jamarco Woods 4th Quarter Touchdown

This years version of the Huskies were not supposed to be world beaters. Many people have predicted that they would be taking a slight step back this year and possibly even further next year before Coach Ape's own recruits can fully step in. However no one told that to this still talented team. It was an early morning west coast kickoff against the Cal Golden Bears to start the season, a game against a Power 5 opponent to start the season. The Huskies beat two Power 5 teams last year in two tries. Coach Ape scheduled tough this year and added a game @Cal in week 1 and against Purdue at home in week 2. The Huskies came in sporting a slightly new look offense, with new starters at QB and RB, Tsuyoshi Vasquez and Jamarco Woods. Both Vasquez and Woods saw action last year but were climbing into the drivers seat this year. Both of them have very commendable starts. Woods was given the game ball by Coach Ape for his 19 attempts, 127 yard and 2TD performance on the ground. He also added 7 yards on 2 catches. Overall on the ground between Woods, Shon Woodard (5 for 58) and FB Reggie Lee (1 for 13) the Huskies racked up nearly 200 yards. Vasquez was just good enough to help the Huskies win going 21 for 37 for 187 yards, 2 TDS and 1 INT. Top Wideout Nicky Graveman returned and had an up and down day. He was targeted 9 times but only brought in 4 for 57 yards, he did however have a TD catch. The standout receiver for the Huskies was Cole Stanford who caught all 8 of his targets for 82 yards and the other TD through the air. And a huge shoutout to the Huskies Offensive Line who did not allow a sack.

But not to be outdone, the Huskies defense came up with some huge plays despite allowing over 500 yards of offense to Cal. The Huskies picked off Tanner Rodriguez twice, once by Senior FS and Defensive Captain Chris Neasman, who also chipped in 9 tackles, and another by Senior CB Aaron Gilchrist. In addition to the INTs the Huskies sacked Rodriguez 4 times, once by DE Ryan Patmon who also had another 1.5 TFLs, 6 tackles and an asst tackle, 1.5 times for DE David Clark and OLB Timothy O'Reilly. On Special Teams, 4* Freshman Punter Daniel Bennett landed 5 of his 8 punts inside the 20 in his first collegiate game and Kicker Cornell Williamson nailed all 4 of his kicks, 1 FG and 3 XPs.

In the end the Huskies pulled out a 32-27 victory after being down 24-10 late into the 3rd Quarter. Another Feather in Coach Ape's hat, 3rd victory over a Power 5 program in his 2 years. His next attempt comes Thursday Night at home against 10th ranked Purdue. To say the least, it'd be a major upset for Coach Ape to stay unbeaten against Power 5 competition is an understatement, but if anyone could do it, it's the reigning National Coach of the Year.

 

Hot On The Trail: Inside The Huskies Crooting Pursuits

5* Douglas Burns from Southridge HS in Miami

Coach Ape pulled off a respectable recruiting class last season after some SNAFU weeks. However he is refusing to repeat those mistakes this cycle and has been linked heavily to SimESPN Top 5 overall recruit QB Douglas Burns. Burns is a 5 Star Scrambler, indicating that Coach Ape intends to take his offense more towards the run possibly in the future. Only NIU and South Florida have been linked to the phenom with official scholarship offers. However it appears if all else stays the same, Burns could be the QB of the Future in Dekalb.

Other than Burns Coach Ape has been all over the place being linked to another 5* ATH Benjamin Chism who hasn't indicated a favorite between NIU, Washington State and Baylor. Coach Ape also hasn't forgotten some top recruits from Illinois, he's reportedly the favorite at the moment on a pair of 4*'s, WR Rich Dust from TF South in Lansing and C Jorge Lee from Conant in Hoffman Estates. Overall the Huskies are currently reported to be in on 9-10 blue chip prospects, how many ultimately sign with Coach Ape is still up in the air but the first few weeks have shaken out positively for the Huskies.