Sports
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Monday, Oct. 10, 2016
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Senior quarterback looks to lead NIU
Maddie thinks NIU can win MAC title Patrick Smith Staff writer
DeKALB | Football (1-5, 1-1 MidAmerican Conference) has endured its worse five game start to the season since 2007 when they began the season 1-4. This puts the Huskies bowl game bid in jeopardy, but the ray of hope for reaching a bowl game lies in the hands of redshirt senior quarterback Anthony Maddie. Maddie, of Plainfield, went to Aurora Christian High School where he guided his team to a state title in 2009. When Maddie was a senior in high school, he passed for 3,799 yards and 52 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,117 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, earning him All-State honors and a state title game most valuable player award in 2011.
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[Carey and I] talked, and we wanted to figure out a way to get me on the field, if possible. We sat down [and] tried to figure out how we can get me some playing time since this is my last year.” Anthony Maddie Redshirt senior quarterback
Maddie’s high school resume earned him a scholarship to play for the Western Michigan University Broncos, but after his freshman year, he decided to transfer to NIU. “My coaches at Western Michigan
Maddie received the starting nod after Hare went down with a season ending leg and ankle injury Sept. 10 against University of South Florida and redshirt sophomore quarterback Ryan Graham was unable to produce well enough. Maddie played in the second half against in-state rival Western Illinois University. After working the fall camps with the mental preparation of a wide receiver, Maddie got his first career start at quarterback Oct. 1 against Ball State University in a 31-24 victory, the Huskies first on the season. The Huskies ultimately lost that game, however, Maddie sparked the offense and put the Huskies in position to win the game on two separate occasions at the goal line. “It was great,” Maddie said. “Obviously we didn’t start off the season the way we wanted it to, but it was great that we pulled through and were able to get that first win. The locker room after a win is one of the greatest feelings.” The Huskies are 1-5 on the season, Courtesy Scott Walstrom | NIU Media Services but Maddie said they still have a shot Redshirt senior quarterback Anthony Maddie (left) gets ready to throw the ball during Saturday’s game against Western at winning the MAC. Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan. NIU lost the game 45-30. “What really matters is your conwere fired after my freshman year,” to redshirt senior quarterback Drew training was much different, but the ference,” Maddie said. “We told ourMaddie said. “So I felt like NIU was Hare in 2015, and as a result was necessary adjustments were made selves coming into the Ball State game the right decision.” asked to switch to a wide receiver by and he felt confident in his athletic ‘it’s a new season,’ and that’s how we Maddie’s transition as a quarter- Head Coach Rod Carey. ability to succeed at the position. look at it week-in and week-out.” back didn’t quite go as planned. “[Coach Carey and I] talked, and “It was tough [at first],” Maddie In 2013, he had to sit out the first we wanted to figure out a way to get said. “You see the game a lot differ- 2016 statistics full year because NCAA rules don’t me on the field, if possible,” Maddie ently. It’s a lot more running and it’s allow a transfer student-athlete to said. “We sat down tried to figure out a different type of shape you have to • 664 yards passing play right away unless there are out- how we can get me some playing time get into. My first couple of days as a • Four touchdowns landish circumstances, according to since this is my last year.” receiver in practice I was dead tired; • Three interceptions the NCAA website. The transition was difficult at first the receivers and coaching staff really • 312 yards rushing Maddie lost the quarterback battle for Maddie, especially because the helped me adjust.” • Two rushing touchdowns
Alumnus wins first game against NIU Patrick Smith Staff writer
Courtesy NIU Media Services
Sophomore golfer Kelly Anderson eyes her target Sept. 24 in the Mary Fossom Invitational in East Lansing, Michigan. Anderson averaged 78.2 strokes per round as a freshman.
Chipping hurts golf’s season Tom Burton Staff writer
DeKALB | The women’s golf team closed out the fall portion of its season Oct. 3 as they notched a top 10 finish at the Johnie Imes Invitational in Columbia, Missouri. The Huskies (299-300-293 — 892) were led by senior golfer Lena Gautier (75-77-69 — 221) and sophomore golfer Brielle Ward (75- Kim Kester 74-72 — 221), Head Coach who both totaled 221, finishing in the top 25 individually. “It was good to end the fall shooting
a 293,” said Head Coach Kim Kester. “We finished out the fall very strong today, and I was glad to see the ladies bounce back.” The team lowered its average strokes per match by almost 10 strokes since last year, one of its biggest accomplishments of the fall season. Kester said the teams’ biggest defect is chipping, which needs improvement for next spring. “We’re losing shots from 100 yards and in,” Kester said. “While other teams hit it within 10 feet, we’re 30 feet from the hole. [The teams] needs to get closer to the hole and create more birdie opportunities.” Even with the struggles,
sophomore Kelly Anderson showed consistency throughout the season. “[Anderson] broke out more than what she showed last year because she was in the 70’s every round so far this year,” Kester said. The team will go through offseason training before the season continues on Feb. 13 and 14 at the Mid-American Conference match play event in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
Fall finishes Redbird Invitational - Second Cardinal Classic - Sixth Mary Fossum Invitational - 11th
KALAMAZOO, Mich. | P.J. Fleck, Western Michigan University Broncos head coach and 2004 NIU Alumnus, notched his first win against his alma mater Saturday as the Broncos defeated NIU 45-30. The Huskies (1-5, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) fell behind early in the first quarter, a theme this year as they have been shut- Rod Carey out in the first Head Coach quarter in four of its five games, losing all four games. Zach Terrell, Western Michigan’s redshirt senior quarterback, connected with junior runningback Jarvion Franklin for a 32yard touchdown on the Broncos opening drive, giving them a seven-point lead two minutes and 18 seconds into the game. The Broncos (6-0, 2-0 MAC) scored another touchdown with 46 seconds remaining in the first quarter after a 20-yard passing touchdown from Terrell to senior wide receiver Corey Davis to give the Broncos a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Huskies answered back in the second quarter with a 2-yard touchdown run from junior wide receiver Christian Blake to trim the Broncos
lead to 14-7. The Huskies tried to mount a comeback, scoring the final 10 points of the first half to trim the lead to 21-17 at halftime. To start the second half the Huskies had a 12-play, 75-yard drive that stalled inside the five-yard line, resulting in a 19-yard field goal from junior kicker Christian Hagan to cut the lead to one. The Broncos scored on an eightyard passing touchdown to Davis, giving them a 31-23 lead at the start of the fourth quarter. Redshirt senior quarterback Anthony Maddie chipped into the Western Michigan lead with an eight-yard touchdown run to trim the deficit to 38-30. The Broncos finished off the Huskies with a six-play, 86yard drive capped by a two-yard touchdown run by Terrell, putting them ahead 45-30 with five minutes remaining. Maddie finished the game with 14-for-30 passing, one touchdown and two interceptions. This marks the first loss for the Huskies against Western Michigan since 2008 when the Huskies lost 29-26.
Next game — home Breast Cancer Awareness day 2:30 p.m. Saturday, home Central Michigan University