Northern Illinois went 3-9 last season, but it was a season where the record didn’t really accurately reflect the season. Five of the losses were by ten or fewer points and three other losses were the result of having to start a fourth-string freshman walk-on at quarterback the final month of the season. The Huskies weren’t winning the MAC’s west division with healthier quarterback play, but they probably would have been closer to a bowl team than the final record indicated.
Former Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi (6’3” 227 lbs.) received a medical hardship for his season-ending injuries last season, meaning he’s back for his seventh season of college football.