These guys are doing a great job reporting.....



Welcome to the Daily Chronicle's NIU Sports newsletter. Kaleb Cater (@Kaleb_M_Carter on Twitter) will provide exclusive content from what he's been reporting, seeing and hearing on the NIU athletics beat.

When Jalen McKie leaped and high-pointed an interception down the left sideline at Monday's practice, it served as an answer to head coach Thomas Hammock’s demand last Wednesday that the defensive backs, especially the cornerbacks, needed to step up.

“They made nice plays. Made some great breaks on the ball," Hammock said. "I think guys are playing with a high sense of urgency, attention to detail, playing with technique. I think when you play technique, you give yourself a chance to make plays like they did today.”

Also adding interceptions were Devin Haney on an Anthony Thompson pass that was tipped by Andrew Gregory and MyKelti Williams snagged one off of a Wright pass. Another turnover for the defense came thanks for persistent attempts at stripping the football, as an (unknown) Huskie defender ripped the ball away.

Antwain Walker, Haney and McKie are emerging as the guys who the most repetitions go to, while others are stepping in.

While there will not likely be certainty surrounding the defensive end position, the Huskies have a go-to trio to rely in, in addition to frequent rotations at defensive tackle.

“Our interior defensive line is really stout," Hammock said. "You’ve got Jack Heflin. You’ve got (Weston) Kramer and you’ve got Ben LeRoy, who are really three guys in the rotation. Now it’s our job to make sure we take care of them and make sure they don’t take too many reps.”

The Huskies worked goal line and short yardage scenarios Monday as redshirt senior safety Adam Buirge seemed to take instruction most closely to the heart in one particular instance.

After being instructed by defensive coordinator/safeties coach Derrick Jackson to be more aggressive, Buirge shot a gap and brought down redshirt sophomore running back Jordan Rowell for a loss.

“We’re trying to get guys to shoot, take a shot. Take your shot," Hammock said. "We’re not going to practice live a lot, but when we do, we want guys to get in position to make plays.”

Marcus Childers continued to take first team repetitions as signal-caller and hit Mitchell Brinkman for a scoring strike down the hash at one point.

Eidsness believes the team is past the 50% point in offensive installation after five practices.

“Everybody had to come in and learn brand new, so it’s not like anybody had a head start of anybody, whether they had played or not played, the same opportunity to learn and execute and compete was there," Eidsness said. "I’m happy with the way the guys are paying attention doing it, for the most making good decisions. There’s some guys that aren’t as well and they’ve got to pick it up or they won’t do as much.”

Eidsness had a knack at South Dakota State of gearing the offense to get the ball in the hands of his most explosive playmakers. One of the best such examples was Dallas Goedert, a second round draft pick who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. Eidsness praised the tight end group's depth.

“I think that (Daniel) Crawford gives us some explosion at that position. Brinkman obviously is a really solid on the line guy, physical guy and does some really good stuff there. Then you’ve got (Corey) Lersch, who’s doing some nice things both inside and outside as far as on the line and flexed out. And then Liam (Soraghan) has probably been the biggest bright spot in that group showing that I think he can add depth to that on the line."

Notables

• Quarterback Ross Bowers and running back Erin Collins shared their intention to transfer to NIU for this fall and both of them would be immediately eligible, Bowers for two more seasons and Collins for three.

• Defensive end Drequan Brown is seeking a final season of eligibility and is practicing with the team in the meantime.

“I have news on him. We’ll release that at a later date," Hammock said when asked about Brown's status. When pressed how long, Hammock added “When I have the information.”

• Redshirt sophomore defensive end Michael Kennedy,who appears larger than his listed wait of 215 pounds, has taken many snaps in the spring and appears have potential as an athletic speed rusher.

• Freshman cornerback Tyrik Henderson came up with an injury during position drills and spent the last half of practice in a sling.

“He was off to the side and he’ll get checked out later on.”

• Offensive lineman Ezekiel Gueths appeared to take more snaps at the guard spots.

• With Christopher Perez, Nathan Veloz and Jordan Steckler not practicing as they rest up injuries, Marques Cox (LT), Austin Warner (LG), Benn Olson ©, Brayden Patton (RG) and Isaac Hawn (RT) took the first team repetitions Monday.

• Joseph Bonds had a rough-looking (appeared legal) hit on Jyran Mitchell, as the latter tried to catch a ball during a team session.