D.J Pirkle News

DeKALB – Make no mistake about it, Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill wants his team playing fast tonight.

NIU's Tommy Davis returns a punt 42 yards to the Miami 11-yard line during the Huskies' 27-22 win over Miami .

DeKALB – Alex Kube nodded as he said it, but the words themselves didn't need any reassurance in the aftermath of that performance.

The numbers may not wow, but they're measuring up. When D.J. Pirkle goes to work each week in the trenches for the Northern Illinois football team, the 6-foot, 290-pound junior defensive tackle is often giving up 10-30 pounds and up to 7 inches in height to the player opposite him.

NIU President John Peters celebrates with the Huskies after Saturday's win at Purdue.

The last time they met it was a monumental mismatch. Northern Illinois traveled to Madison to play Wisconsin in 2007 and the Huskies left bruised and dazed from a 44-3 loss.

The third and final football media day of the past week was held this afternoon at the Yordon Center and Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill answered questions about a variety of topics for a solid half hour.

The third and final football media day of the past week was held this afternoon at the Yordon Center and Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill answered questions about a variety of topics for a solid half hour.

The third and final football media day of the past week was held this afternoon at the Yordon Center and Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill answered questions about a variety of topics for a solid half hour.