One interception vs. two. On paper, Brady Davidson won the spring game turnover battle. On the field? Jalen Macon looked more ready to be NIU's starting quarterback.

Jason Fowler showed up to the spring game draft in a suit and tie. He was picked first among the tight ends. Then he proved he belonged. How the NIU redshirt sophomore is emerging as the team's top tight end.

Telly Johnson led Team NIU on a touchdown on their opening drive, Jalen Macon added one in the fourth quarter, and they held on to beat Brady Davidson and Team Huskies 17-10. Here were five takeaways from the spring game, which returned to a game format this year.

"I think his athleticism and his moxie bring something. We feel really good about what he might be able to do." Charleston transfer Ean Hamric pushing NIU QBs Brady Davidson, Jalen Macon heading into spring showcase.

Four offensive coordinators. Three offensive line coaches. Two head coaches. A lot has changed as Jacob Welch begins his fourth year at NIU. Perhaps the biggest change coming for the Johnsburg graduate is the ample playing time he's poised to see.

After playing only three games at Mississippi State and not catching a pass, Cam Thompson is back at NIU. "I felt like it wasn’t really me. I feel like I probably just rushed my decision doing everything I did, so I kind of had to take a step back.”

The five fabulous transfers who make up coach Dusty May’s starting lineup got down and dirty with the rest of the Wolverines — coming out with the national title trophy Monday night after muscling their way to a 69-63 victory over stingy, stubborn UConn.

Rob Harley’s first spring as NIU coach arrives Wednesday with no rosters, vague answers, and closed practices. But the vibes are strong according to those inside the house. What effect those vibes have on the product, or what the product looks like, remains a question mark.

David Mirkovic had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and third-seeded Illinois flexed its defensive muscles to eliminate last year’s national runner-up from the NCAA Tournament, beating Houston 65-55 in the South Region semifinals.