Football is a battlefield – and like any battle, there is always a plan of attack before the start of the hostilities.

However, sometimes plans have to change due to circumstances, as NIU learned in its 29-26 loss to Western Michigan.

The Huskies (0-2 overall, 0-1 MAC) started freshman quarterback Chandler Harnish against the Broncos (1-1, 1-0). Yet after two offensive series, Harnish was out due to an injury.

Coach Jerry Kill adapted his game plan by using a combination of senior Dan Nicholson and redshirt freshman DeMarcus Grady at the QB spot for the rest of the night.

“We put our game plan in Chandler [Harnish] being the guy,” the first year coach said. “For what those kids [Nicholson and Grady] did tonight, with the reps they received in practice, was remarkable.”

After the game, Kill said he did not have information on Harnish’s injury. However, from the press box it was apparent that the quarterback’s right ankle was tapped.

Nicholson provided NIU with an air attack of 239 yards with a touchdown and an interception. While Grady did not throw the ball he did run seven times for 43 yards and one touchdown – making him NIU’s second leading rusher.

“We were going to utilize [Grady] against Minnesota. However, it was never the correct situation to utilize him,” Kill said. “And with the situation [tonight] I didn’t want Danny to have to run it all the time.”

Kill also utilized running back Me’co Brown on the ground. The true freshman got the start and ran for 54 yards on 13 carries. Brown also scored one touchdown on a 26 yard rush.

“I was surprised I was starting,” the freshman said. “I feel really good though, I got my first college touchdown. I’m looking forward to way more of those.”

NIU running backs Ricky Crider and Justin Anderson also got to carry the ball six and four times respectively. After the game, Kill said Anderson was healthy, and that he chose to play Brown more because the freshman fit into a shotgun offensive scheme better.

Yet even with the ground and air attack, NIU found itself behind WMU most of the night.

Bronco quarterback Tim Hiller completed 21-of-30 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns. The junior was supported by WMU running back Brandon West.

West’s 175 rushing yards was a college career best for the junior. Most of the personal best was set in the second half, as the running back only had a combined 34 yards on the ground in the first two quarters.

“Coach was telling me to go in and just run it,” West said. “I was tip-toeing a little bit and Tim talked to me in the huddle and said come on we need to fight.”

That fight in the second half proved to be too much for NIU, although the Huskie defense did create two turnovers in the final half.

“Defensively, the big thing is if one guy is out of his gap, and they run it that way, it’s really easy for a big play,” said NIU linebacker Tim McCarthy. “There’s a lot of little things we need to work on.”

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