Huskies eager for Herd visit

DAILY MAIL SPORTSWRITER

This fall, Marshall University will be making the last of its Mid-American Conference "first trips" in the Coach Bob Pruett era.

The Thundering Herd plays at Northern Illinois in DeKalb, Ill.,on Oct. 6. Like Marshall, Northern Illinois also rejoined the MAC in1997.

Northern left the MAC in 1987 to become an independent, andremained one through 1992. It joined the Big West from 1993-95. Itwas again an independent in 1996 before rejoining the MAC.

Due to the rotation of non-divisional play, the Herd faced theHuskies for the first time in 1999 in Huntington, winning 41-9. MUwill visit DeKalb for the first time since 1973, where the Herdpulled off a 39-36 victory. Northern leads the series 4-2.

Since joining the league, the Huskies have compiled records of 0-11 in 1997, 2-9 in 1998, 5-6 in 1999 and 6-5 in 2000. They returntwo 1,000-yard rushers in Thomas Hammock (1,083 and 16 touchdowns innine games) and Michael Turner (983 and seven scores). Chris Finlenalso returns at quarterback.

The above information is enough to have Northern fans buzzingabout the prospect of the four-year MAC champs in their house,according to Coach Joe Novak.

"We know they're coming," Novak said with a laugh. "There's nodoubt about it. We're excited. Everybody has heard so much aboutMarshall. A lot of our people haven't had a chance to see them inperson and they're anxious to get a chance to see them.

"They know how good they are. We're anxious to get them up toDeKalb and have a chance to play them."

No frills are necessary.

"We talked about homecoming games, and the first comment was'Marshall is not going to be our homecoming game because we knowwe're going to get a great crowd in spite of that,'" Novak said."We're looking forward to having them up. We know it's a greatchallenge."

A full house at Huskie Stadium means 31,000 fans.

"Our opening games will have 20,000 to 25,000 fans," Novak said."Then depending how it's going is how it goes. I know with Marshall,we'll have a nice crowd."

Last season, with the help of Tennessee fourth-round draft pickJustin McCareins, the Huskies averaged 37.5 points per game. Novaksaid at the league's media day in Detroit he was rebuilding hisline. Three-time MAC first-teamer Ryan Diem went to Indianapolis inthe fourth round as well.

But Novak knows the game still has the potential to be highlyexplosive.

"We've got a chance to be a decent team offensively," Novak said."I know Marshall will be. They'll be tough to hold down. It might bea bit of a shootout. Hopefully we can score some points and make ita shootout, but I know they'll score."

Finlen, who two seasons ago was the first sophomore team captainfor the Huskies since World War II, completed 131-of-231 of hispasses (.567) for 1,857 yards and 11 touchdowns versus nineinterceptions. He has the confidence of a senior.

MU's Byron Leftwich, who hit 279-of-457 passes for 3,358 yards,21 TDs versus nine interceptions, has the confidence of a buddingsuperstar.

"I haven't seen him a lot, what I have seen I know he's atalented, talented kid," Novak said. "Like a lot of kids like thathe just needs some more playing time. He had one year last year andhe played well. I certainly look at him as a talent. He's got allthat.

"I'm not just saying this. He's getting great coaching downthere, that's obvious. Before he graduates he'll be a great, greatplayer."

* n n

HERD NOTE: Marshall's freshmen and newcomers reported Friday, andpractice today and Monday, the day veterans report. Everyone beginspracticing Tuesday.

Writer Andy Spradling can be reached at 348-1712 or by e-mail ataspradling@dailymail.com.