Win or lose tonight, it's a celebration of 4-5 great years from this group. A small group full of leaders. Thanks to all of these players. Some some positive thoughts below (the NIU website had the majority of these facts).


S Marlon Moore- kind of hard to follow other NIU safeties from Alabama, but he was another good one. One of the leading tacklers this year and also led the team in tackles last year. Our secondary has been a pretty darn good tackling group for a few years now, he's helped lead that.

DE Perez Ford- DE? LB? who cares...one of the most physically gifted (athletic freak for a more intense term) players we've had. When he has gotten going in the 2nd half of games, teams have been required to double team him every play. He'll earn another All-MAC selection, probably 1st team this year. He'll probably get a chance to play LB for a NFL team.

DE Ben Compton- JC transfer from out East. Regular member of the D-line rotation last year, but definitely more pronounced this year, has been playing inside and has gotten some all important sacks, plays with some ferocity (is that a word?).

TE Desroy Maxwell- 4 years of playing and seeing important action as a block-first TE. I can't say I watch enough tape to know how great he is at blocking, but it's been clear that the coaching staff relies on him, as he's won multiple offensive player of the week honors from Coach Carey. And let us never forget, he ran the fake punt against Florida State for a huge gain and first down to keep us in that game early on.

DE Cameron Clinton-Earl- wasn't he an initial Jerry Kill commit? I could be mistaken. Recovered from injuries early in his career to put together two productive years at D-line, occasionally starting. Had a heck of a game at BC this year.

MLB Boomer Mays- not sure there's a player that's more of an example of the "Hard Way" NIU mentality. I still remember Doeren talking about him as a recruit "we like him as a long snapper, he thinks he can play LB, so he'll get a chance"...Oh...a chance. How about one of the hardest hitting MLB's ever for NIU? Cut into the starting rotation his RS sophomore year and has been hitting the crap out of RB's ever since. You've seen a clear progression over the last 4 years from a guy that could run straight at someone, to a MLB that is now fluid in his motion and can line up any ball carrier. Played his *ss off at Ohio State this year. He'll earn a well deserved All-MAC nod this year.

CB Paris Logan- has played significant time all 4 years, and started for the majority of the last 3. Taking it back...he recovered the onside kick against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. First-team All-MAC in 2014, wowser. Oh, and one of the best interceptions you'll see against Northwestern. He's been constantly used to shadow the other teams best WR.

WR Tommylee Lewis- If Boomer is example 1 of the NIU program, then Tommy is example 1a. Too small, that's what they say. Ha, don't think so. He can be considered one of the 3 original creators of #MACtion (Chandler Harnish and that Toledo WR that had like 6 TD's the others) for his 2 TD kickoff returns that faithful night. And I'll always remember his little skip step in the Orange Bowl as if to say "bring it". While he battled injuries throughout his career (hoping it's not done yet!), he's probably one of the toughest players out there with playing through pain. His explosive ability has helped other WR's (Golladay, Brown, Moore) have great years playing along with him.

OL Aidan Conlon- 50+ straight starts for one of the most successful teams in the country during that span? OK ,that's alright. There's a few reasons why NIU seems to have a lot of options at RB, and Aidan is one major reason. I'd guess an Alll-MAC selection is very possible this year.

C Andrew Ness- see Aidan for 50+ starts, which is ridiculous. Not to mention, they were freshmen on a line that went to the freaking Orange Bowl, beat Iowa, beat Northwestern, demolished Purdue, and never lost to Toledo. Holy crap!

DT Siosifa Malolo- JC transfer and...I'm not sure of any game time.

TE Kevin Tennenbaum- #84. Refused to lose to Toledo. We know this.

WR Juwan Brescacin- Canada! Great size obviously and was always a great blocker which is needed in our offense. He had his best games receiving on some of the biggest stages, the last two MAC champ games, we probably don't win the MAC last year without him.

Good luck to all of them.