"We’re going to open it up a little more, but we’re still going to be NIU." Faster, spread offense has sophomore RB Telly Johnson excited with new scheme.

NIU quarterback Josh Holst, Jalen Macon and Brady Davidson each led the Huskies on at least one of their five touchdown drives on Saturday at the school's annual Spring Showcase, plus other takeaways from the scrimmage.

NIU coach Thomas Hammock said the offense being installed by new coordinator Quinn Sanders will be different from what the Huskies have run in the past. Sanders said it will be a more spread out version of the Huskies' pro-style attack.

The Xs and Os won't look significantly different for the NIU football team under new coordinator Rob Harley, an Elmhurst native and York grad. He and the coaches are emphasizing takeaways during spring practice.

Jacey Brooks had a very good reason to delay starting her new job as the 11th NIU women’s basketball coach in the program’s history. The former Buffalo assistant wasn’t introduced until Wednesday as the Huskies’ new coach. She and the Bulls were too busy winning the WNIT.

Tuesday's NIU spring football practice featured an emphasis on special teams and the ground game, but Josh Holst, Jalen Macon, DeAree Rogers and the passing game still managed some big plays.

Marengo grad Josh Holst enters NIU's spring practices as the presumptive starter for the Huskies in the fall. "Holst ended the year as the starter," coach Thomas Hammock said of the Famous Potato Bowl MVP. "It’s his job to hold on to it."

NIU announced Tuesday that former Buffalo assistant Jacey Brooks will take over as the 11th head coach in program history, taking over for Lisa Carlsen.

Former NIU running back LeShon Johnson was charged in connection to illegal dog fighting after federal authorities seized 190 dogs from his Oklahoma property, the U.S. Department of Justice announced this week.