Hot Huskies

By JOHN SAHLY Shaw News Service

Northern Illinois’ Furqan Muhammad carries the ball against Central Michigan during the Huskies’ 45-31 loss on Nov. 27 in Mount Pleasant, Mich. Northern Illinois will play South Florida in the International Bowl, Jan. 2 in Toronto. (AP)

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DeKALB – From a recruiting standpoint, Northern Illinois football coach Jerry Kill called this month the busiest time of the year.

In the past few weeks, the evaluation and communication done throughout the recruiting process has started to pay dividends. The announcement that the Huskies were playing South Florida in the International Bowl on Jan. 2 has helped, Kill said at a news conference Tuesday.

“We haven’t had to worry about bringing it up because they bring it up to you,” Kill said. “Playing in a bowl game, getting on ESPN, they know more about it than we do in a lot of aspects.”

Tuesday, Scout.com reported that Warren Central (Indianapolis) prospect Michael Gegner, a 6-foot-3, 251-pound center, had given a verbal commitment to NIU.

Gegner joins Geneva defensive tackle Frank Boenzi, Romeoville linebacker Cameron Stingily and Rich Central running back Giorgio Bowers as players who have reportedly given verbal commitments to NIU in the past two weeks.

NIU also had 10 potential recruits on campus this past weekend for visits.

“Things are moving pretty good for us and there’s no question getting in a bowl game helps you,” Kill said.

Between recruiting and bowl preparation, it’s little wonder this is a busy time despite not playing for another two-plus weeks.

“This time a year if it’s not a little bit hectic then you probably haven’t done a real good job, so it’s a good problem to have,” Kill said.

Health update: For the most part, Kill expects his Northern Illinois team to be the healthiest it has been for some time for the bowl game.

Defensive tackle Brian Lawson (hand/finger), wide receiver Perez Ashford (foot) and safety Mike Sobol (concussion) are all cleared to play. And quarterback Chandler Harnish said his injured right knee has gotten better over the past couple of weeks with rehab.

“I don’t think there’s any question Chandler was not 100 percent at the end of the season even though he came back,” Kill said.

“I feel good,” Harnish said. “We’ve had the last couple of weeks where I’ve had the chance to heal up and do a lot of rehab things.”