The Vanderbilt Commodores and the Northern Illinois University Huskies will meet Saturday inside Vanderbilt Stadium for the first time since 1999. The ‘Dores hold a 3-0 all time record over the Huskies with victories in 1994, 1997, and 1999. All three of these matchups have been decided by two possessions or less. Vanderbilt is 7-2 all time versus the Mid-American Conference with their last meeting being a 52-6 victory over Eastern Michigan University in 2010.
Offensively
The Huskies are led offensively by transfer from the University of California, quarterback Ross Bowers. In his Huskies debut, Bowers threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns versus Illinois State. The senior followed this performance up with 229 and 248 yard performances versus Utah and Nebraska respectively. Bowers has tossed three touchdowns and three interceptions. He is not a dual threat, as he has only rushed sixteen times for -27 yards. The Huskies have two running backs that they feature in junior Tre Harbison and senior Marcus Jones. Harbison is perhaps the most decorated and dangerous of the two as he is coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,034 yards. This yardage output marks the first 1,000 yard rusher for the Huskies since 2015. Through three games the junior has 162 yards and no touchdowns. Jones is another story as he has only rushed three times for three yards. The senior is only eleven yards away from eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark for his career. In the passing game, look for Bowers to target senior Spencer Tears (nine catches for 141 yards) and junior college transfer Tyrice Richie (eleven catches for 175 yards). The Huskies also use their tight ends quite often. Junior Mitchell Brinkman (ten catches for 92 yards) and senior Daniel Crawford (eleven catches for 195) have accounted for 39.6 percent of the Huskies offensive receiving yardage. The Northern Illinois offensive line unit is led by senior Jordan Steckler. Steckler has played in 34 games in three season, starting 30.
Defensively
The Huskies defensive unit is led by senior linebacker Antonio Jones-Davis. Nicknamed the “Law Firm,” the senior is only one tackle away from 200 for his career. Sophomore cornerback Jalen McKie is one to watch as he had a field day in the season opening victory over Illinois State. In that game the sophomore had four tackles and a “pick 6.” Another player to watch in the Huskies secondary is senior safety Adam Buirge. The senior has played in 39 games for Northern Illinois. Fans of the Commodores also need to keep an eye on sophomore linebacker Jordan Cole. Cole led the team in tackles with nine (six solo, three assisted) in their week four contest with Nebraska. This defense has been historically good at stopping the run. Prior to their loss to Nebraska, the Northern Illinois defensive unit had not allowed a 100 yard rusher in their last 17 games.
Special Teams
On special teams, the Huskies have turned to freshman kicker John Richardson. Through four games, the freshman is four for five on field goals, with a long of 46, and has made all five of his PATs. Junior Matt Ference handles the punting duties for the Huskies. It is worth noting that quarterback Ross Bowers has attempted two punts, both in the Nebraska contest. Sophomore receiver Cole Tucker handles kick off and punt returns for the Huskies.
Offensively
The Huskies are led offensively by transfer from the University of California, quarterback Ross Bowers. In his Huskies debut, Bowers threw for 299 yards and two touchdowns versus Illinois State. The senior followed this performance up with 229 and 248 yard performances versus Utah and Nebraska respectively. Bowers has tossed three touchdowns and three interceptions. He is not a dual threat, as he has only rushed sixteen times for -27 yards. The Huskies have two running backs that they feature in junior Tre Harbison and senior Marcus Jones. Harbison is perhaps the most decorated and dangerous of the two as he is coming off a season in which he rushed for 1,034 yards. This yardage output marks the first 1,000 yard rusher for the Huskies since 2015. Through three games the junior has 162 yards and no touchdowns. Jones is another story as he has only rushed three times for three yards. The senior is only eleven yards away from eclipsing the 1,000 yard mark for his career. In the passing game, look for Bowers to target senior Spencer Tears (nine catches for 141 yards) and junior college transfer Tyrice Richie (eleven catches for 175 yards). The Huskies also use their tight ends quite often. Junior Mitchell Brinkman (ten catches for 92 yards) and senior Daniel Crawford (eleven catches for 195) have accounted for 39.6 percent of the Huskies offensive receiving yardage. The Northern Illinois offensive line unit is led by senior Jordan Steckler. Steckler has played in 34 games in three season, starting 30.
Defensively
The Huskies defensive unit is led by senior linebacker Antonio Jones-Davis. Nicknamed the “Law Firm,” the senior is only one tackle away from 200 for his career. Sophomore cornerback Jalen McKie is one to watch as he had a field day in the season opening victory over Illinois State. In that game the sophomore had four tackles and a “pick 6.” Another player to watch in the Huskies secondary is senior safety Adam Buirge. The senior has played in 39 games for Northern Illinois. Fans of the Commodores also need to keep an eye on sophomore linebacker Jordan Cole. Cole led the team in tackles with nine (six solo, three assisted) in their week four contest with Nebraska. This defense has been historically good at stopping the run. Prior to their loss to Nebraska, the Northern Illinois defensive unit had not allowed a 100 yard rusher in their last 17 games.
Special Teams
On special teams, the Huskies have turned to freshman kicker John Richardson. Through four games, the freshman is four for five on field goals, with a long of 46, and has made all five of his PATs. Junior Matt Ference handles the punting duties for the Huskies. It is worth noting that quarterback Ross Bowers has attempted two punts, both in the Nebraska contest. Sophomore receiver Cole Tucker handles kick off and punt returns for the Huskies.
