http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nca.../15835211/


Northern Illinois finds a QB

Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey considers his team's quarterback competition to still be ongoing, but there's no doubt redshirt sophomore Drew Hare is starting to assert himself for the 3-0 Huskies, who face their biggest test this weekend at Arkansas.

"He's just your classic quarterback," Carey told USA TODAY Sports. "He doesn't get really rattled. He's getting to the point where he's starting to put a stranglehold on (the starting job), but he's not there yet. He still has to improve."

Though Northern Illinois undoubtedly had the foundation to sustain success following the departure of Jordan Lynch, you don't just replace a Heisman Trophy finalist at quarterback without question marks.

That's why Carey gave all three of his quarterbacks a chance to win the job, settling on Matt McIntosh to start the opener primarily because Hare had struggled a bit in fall camp with ball security and footwork fundamentals. But when McIntosh got hurt in Week 2 at Northwestern, Hare came in and completed 6-of-10 passes for 109 yards without turning the ball over as the Huskies won 23-15. Hare backed it up with another solid road performance in a 48-34 win at UNLV last weekend, throwing for 285 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 74 yards. With McIntosh still sidelined, Hare will likely continue taking most of the snaps with Anthony Maddie getting a series here or there depending on how the game unfolds.

"We have three really good quarterbacks," Carey said.

Though Carey knows the Huskies are facing a huge challenge against the Razorbacks, it's comforting to know he has at least one reliable quarterback who has already won on the road and seems not to be concerned with the pressure of replacing a school legend like Lynch.

"He doesn't carry that weight with him," Carey said. "He's not trying to be Jordan, and I think that comes pretty natural. But am I pleased? Absolutely. I'm super happy with how he's gone on the road and done it. It's that old adage, man, you can play without a lot of different positions but you have to have a quarterback."

Sorry, Bob. Didn't realize you posted the article in another thread.