Larry English News

Michigan didn't have a player taken on the first day of the NFL draft last year for just the second time this decade, but defensive end Brandon Graham continues to solidify his status as a likely high-round pick.

LAKE FOREST – Garrett Wolfe knew better than to call former college teammate Michael Turner after he broke Turner's career rushing and touchdown records at Northern Illinois.

Last updated on 10/05/2009 at 6:28 p.m. MAC football may not get the same national coverage that other mid-majors receive, but the conference showed its impact on the NFL this weekend.

Northern Illinois' workhorse running back is averaging 6.0 yards per carry and plowed through Purdue's defense for 150 yards on 26 carries, and fleet-footed QB Chandler Harnish doesn't make it any easier on opponents.

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.

Larry English doesn't use Twitter and doesn't do Facebook. He does have e-mail, but doesn't use it often.

Last updated on 09/07/2009 at 9:35 p.m. It never happened last year. NIU never let an opponent rack up 400-plus yards of offense while failing to sack the opponent's quarterback.

Another year, another new starting quarterback for Wisconsin. It's been three years since John Stocco graduated and Wisconsin still hasn't found a consistent starter.

Columbus - Northern Illinois ' Larry English , a 255-pound outside linebacker who would land in the first round of the NFL Draft, chuckled last November at 260-pound Navy right tackle Matt Molloy .

Line: Wisconsin by 16 1/2. Series Record: Wisconsin leads 10-1. Last Meeting: Oct.

Last updated on 08/30/2009 at 8:11 p.m. Ita s tough to think that a 6-foot-4-inch defensive lineman weighing 250 pounds, played with a shadow cast over him last season, but thata s exactly what senior Brandon Bice dealt with.

Wisconsin football beat writer Jeff Potrykus breaks down UW's schedule: SATURDAY Northern Illinois, 6 p.m. at Camp Randall Stadium About Northern Illinois: Finished 5-3 in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference, a four-game improvement from 2007, and 6-7 overall last season.

In Jerry Kill's first season, Northern Illinois football staged a dramatic turnaround by tripling the number of wins from the previous year and earning a bowl berth.

San Diego Chargers first-round draft choice Larry English maneuvers to cover tight end Brandon Manumaleuna.

Jake Coffman will tackle the unenviable task of trying to replace Larry English, a first-round draft pick in this year's NFL draft, and now a member of the San Diego Chargers.

Some teams have put a premium on improving the pass rush: Rookie Everette Brown will be counted on in Carolina; San Diego hopes greenhorn Larry English excels; Miami wants a rebirth of Jason Taylor in his second Dolphins' stint.

"I have one thing to do," linebacker Shawne Merriman says, "tear it up on the field." John R. McCutchen/Union-Tribune - If Shawne Merriman had some ducks, they would be in a row.

When Larry English spoke, his Northern Illinois football teammates listened. The Aurora product was a two-time MVP of the Mid-American Conference and went on to become the school's first NFL first-round draft choice.

The first year in the Jerry Kill era exceeded expectations. With a roster full of experienced players coming off injuries, Kill instituted a new offensive approach and convinced the upperclassmen to buy into the system.

NIU defensive lineman Brandon Bice hopes to be an oral surgeon one day. DeKALB – There is a day in the near future that is going to be like pulling teeth for Brandon Bice.