It’s not usual for a MAC school to have a conference game in only the second contest of the season.

However, that’s what NIU and Western Michigan face this Saturday when the Huskies travel to Kalamazoo’s Waldo Stadium to take on the Broncos.

Normally, teams start off the season with at least two non-conference games. Last weekend, NIU traveled to Minneapolis where it lost a close 31-27 contest to Minnesota, while Western Michigan traveled to Nebraska to take on the Cornhuskers, losing 47-24.

Saturday’s game is the first MAC game of the season before most of the conference schools go head-to-head next weekend. Western Michigan (0-1, 0-0) is a key MAC West opponent for the Huskies (0-1, 0-0).

“Would you like to have your non-conference all played the first four games?” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill. “Yes. It is what it is and we have to be prepared to do it. They’re the next game on our schedule.”

Redshirt freshman quarterback Chandler Harnish should make his second start. Harnish was 17-for-29 with 326 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s loss to the Gophers.

“We’re very fortunate that Chandler stepped up and did what he did,” Kill said. “We’re going to put the best player out there that gives us a chance to win. Chandler gave us the best chance on Saturday. We’ll play it from there.”

Harnish, who was named the MAC West offensive player of the week for his performance on Saturday said he and his fellow quarterback Dan Nicholson will still play hard.

“I think that me and Danny are just going to keep competing, and whoever’s the best guy on Saturday, that’s who’s going to play. I think we’re both fine with that,” Harnish said. “I believe that competition is just going to make us better.”

One thing that the Huskies need to improve heading into the MAC opener, is the running game. NIU averaged only 2.4 yards per carry against Minnesota.

Kill is also concerned with is the team’s kickoff coverage. Minnesota averaged 28.4 yards per kick return Saturday, almost ten yards more than NIU.

“We’re certainly going to spend time on the kickoff and the running game,” Kill said at the team’s weekly Tuesday press conference. “We’ve always been good in the kicking game wherever I’ve been.”

The Huskies will face a Western Michigan team that ranked sixth in the MAC in offense a year ago. The Broncos feature a solid quarterback in Tim Hiller and maybe the best wide receiver in the MAC in Jamarko Simmons.

The Broncos ranked fifth in the MAC defensively a year ago, and WMU has nowhere to go but up on the defensive side of the ball. The Broncos feature nine seniors in their starting lineup.

The standout of the group is cornerback Londen Fryar, the son of former NFL wide receiver Irving Fryar. The senior has been named first team All-MAC each of the past two seasons.

“The biggest thing is they’re a senior-oriented team,” Kill said. “I remember playing their secondary while I was at Southern Illinois. They are deep on defense and very experienced.”

Saturday’s game has a 6 p.m. start time and can be heard on 1360 WLBK. Fans can watch the game online at Mac-Sports.com.

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