DeKALB | It will be tempting for NIU to overlook its next three games.

All three games are at home, something which every coach and player appreciates. Beyond that, the combined record of the next trio of opponents is 2-20.

And only one of those wins came against a Football Bowl Subdivision team. It just so happened that was Ball State over Eastern Michigan. NIU will face both programs in the upcoming weeks.

But before NIU faces these MAC West programs, it will take on Akron at 11 a.m. Saturday at Huskie Stadium.

“When you’re young, it’s hard to handle [discipline] right now,” said NIU head coach Jerry Kill.

“I’m a lot more concerned about us to be honest right now.”

Most of Kill’s players, however, have bought into the one-game-at-a-time mentality that the coach has stressed. This is especially true of the veteran players.

What Kill is worried about is his team’s ability to stay disciplined not only in the game, but before the game. Veteran players agree with their coach.

“You can see the young guys are starting to get it,” said NIU junior linebacker Alex Kube. “But we need to start working on playing for all four quarters.”

Playing all four quarters will be especially important for the Huskies against the Zips (1-6 overall, 0-3 MAC).

The last time NIU (4-3, 2-1) faced Akron was in the MAC Championship Game in 2005. With 1:41 remaining in the game, the Zips drove 81 yards on nine plays. The drive ended with a 36-yard pass to Akron wide receiver Domenik Hixon, now playing for the New York Giants, and a 31-30 Akron victory.

While none of the current Huskies played in that game, they are still not taking the Zips lightly.

“I don’t think they’re a team that we should underestimate,” said cornerback Tommy Davis. “We have to come out each week and be prepared to play Huskie football.”

One thing that NIU will have to prepare for is the possibility of playing without starting quarterback Chandler Harnish. Backup quarterback DeMarcus Grady will get the start if Harnish cannot come back from knee surgery. Kill also said senior Ryan Morris may get some snaps, depending on the situation.

In order to have an effective game against Akron, Kill said Grady will have to throw more than he did in the win against Miami. The coach will also rely on his running backs and a strong defensive effort.

Kill will be without safety David Bryant, however, as he is out for two to four weeks with an injury. NIU defensive end Jake Coffman has also switched position to nose guard because of the injury to Brian Lawson. Redshirt freshman Sean Progar looks to make the start at the end spot.

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