Since I was 16 there’s been one thing I’ve hated about cars – sitting in the back seat.

I’m not going to say I am or was the best driver in the world. In fact, I’m far from it. But I like to think I’m pretty good, even back when I was 16.

That’s why I could never stand being in the rear of a car. I hated when my friends didn’t pay attention to the road, had no clue how to get to where we wanted to go, or drove too slow for my liking.

But the fact that bothered me the most was that I wasn’t in control. I needed to be in control to feel safe, to be in charge, and to have control of my and my friends’ destinies.

That’s why I have tremendous respect for NIU quarterback Dan Nicholson.

The senior’s career as a Huskie has been a combination of sitting in the rear and driving the bus. Nicholson has gone from red-shirting in 2004 to driving a well-oiled machine in 2005, then only to hang out in the back seat again for most of 2006, to driving a beater in 2007.

Despite the flux, the quarterback has taken everything with great poise. Nicholson has never publicly argued against the decision of his coach, he’s never thrown a team member under the bus, and he’s always put the team first.

In a day when society, especially sports, is focused on “me” and “my rights,” it’s refreshing to see a team player; a guy who is willing to sit in the back seat. This has never been more apparent than at this weekend in Kalamazoo, Mich.

For the second straight week, Nicholson was not the first snap quarterback for NIU. This was because head coach Jerry Kill said he was going to go with the QB who gave him the best chance to win. With Nicholson still coming back from rehab on his shoulder, Kill felt red-shirt freshman Chandler Harnish was the Huskies’ best bet.

The senior could have complained. This should be his year to lead the Huskies to a MAC championship, as it has been four years since he last did it. Yet Nicholson has never even whispered such a phrase. Instead, he’s been sitting in the back seat, giving directions and guidance to the Huskies new QB.

After two series on Saturday, Harnish was forced to leave due to an injury. This left Kill to put in his next best option at quarterback – Nicholson.

It took a couple of snaps for the senior to break off the rust, but before long, Nicholson showed Huskie fans why he beat Toledo in 2005. A pass to senior wide receiver Marcus Perez, which only Perez could catch, great vision and smart playmaking all were displayed.

Sure, Nicholson made his fair share of mistakes too; a fumble during an exchange at the one-yard line, an interception and a few other things, but no one’s perfect.

With the status of Harnish’s foot injury still unknown, there’s a chance that Nicholson could be the starting QB in a couple of weeks against Indiana State. There’s a chance that NIU might have to make a pit stop and change drivers, letting Nicholson take the wheel again.

But if the day comes when Nicholson is asked to pull the bus over and jump back into the rear, I know he’ll do it, no questions asked.

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