NIU notebook: Defense wins again, but again close with the offense, said coach Thomas Hammock

In an open practice in front of about 150 fans, Northern Illinois held its ninth spring football practice ahead of the 2021 season.

Coach Thomas Hammock said the team has implemented a scoring system that grades every play in every drill, a system he brought over from his days coaching the Baltimore Ravens.

Hammock said the defense edged the offense, the second win in the last three practices.

“They won the day,” Hammock said. “But it was close.”

Lombardi, Richie have some chemistry: In the various drills, transfer quarterback Rocky Lombardi and receiver Tyrice Richie made some standout plays.

In both 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 skeleton drills (no linemen), Lombardi used Richie as a safety valve.

But it wasn’t only Richie. In the first set of full-team drills, Lombardi hit Fabian McCray on one of the prettiest passes of the day, hitting him in stride on a streak, which he turned into a touchdown.

He’s got the juice: McCray also was wearing the juice jersey, given to the player who brings the most energy.

Juice was a theme of the 2020 season for the Huskies, during which fans were not allowed in attendance for most of the season. The team had to produce their own energy, Hammock said, and the juice jersey was born.

Defensive standouts: The defense did win the day, however, and Devin Lafayette certainly contributed to that. He had a sack of Lombardi on the second play of the 11-on-11s.

Later in the passing skeleton drills, Jaden Dolphin had an interception of Rodney Thompson.

Earlier in the week, Hammock pointed to Dolphin as someone who has been standing out for the Huskies. The former safety has been working out at linebacker, but still has the ability to play in coverage, Hammock said. He showed that with the interception Saturday.

Who to watch: In an interview Thursday, Hammock pointed to a couple of players having standout springs. He said Harrison Waylee has built off the momentum of last year, when he was the team’s top rusher as a true freshman, and looks like a different player.

He also said that about cornerback Myles McGee. He said Ray Thomas has made tremendous jumps at linebacker and Richie is playing at a high level. He also pointed out Lafayette as making a jump.

Travis’ big day: Messiah Travis made a couple big catches on offense. In the full team drills, Travis took a short-out pass from Thompson and turned it into a score. In the 1-on-1 drills, Dustin Fletcher found Travis on a streak from about 40 yards for a touchdown.

Bumps and bruises: As to be expected, Hammock said, there were a couple players sitting out to rest up. Early enrollee Ethan Hampton and receiver Trayvon Rudolf were not at practice.





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