Welcome to this week's edition of the HuskieWire.com Q&A.
Every Thursday, I'll answer your NIU and MAC-related questions right here. Do you have a question about NIU or the MAC? E-mail your questions to me at jsahly@daily-chronicle.com and I'll answer them next Thursday.
Here are this week's questions and answers:
Grant asked: With the International bowl being in an indoor stadium, where do the huskies practice and prepare for a game like that since they do not have an indoor practice facility?
John Sahly: The Huskies will practice at the DeKalb Sports and Recreation Center, which they have used in the past for bowl practice. It puts NIU at a disadvantage because it limits some of the things they can do (any full-tilt punt hits the ceiling, the turf is rough on the ankles, knees, etc.) but without an indoor practice facility, there's not a lot NIU can do. Of course, without the DeKalb rec center, you would probably see players and coaches shoveling the field every single day.
C Cmfp asked:
1. Will the Huskies be getting any injured players back for the International Bowl besides Brian Lawson? Mike Sobol? Perez Ashford maybe?
2. This is probably premature, but any idea whether Mike Krause will be able to play next year?
3. Something I've always meant to ask. How was it that Chad Spann with all of his talent and an excellent high school career ended up here as a walk-on?
4. Each year the Huskies make it to a bowl game they are at a huge disadvantage due to the lack of an indoor practice facility. Will the athletic department use this bowl preparation period as an opportunity to get major donors lined up for an IPF? I suggest bringing them out to DeKalb to watch the Huskies prepare for a BCS opponent by practicing in a gym and/or a snowy Brigham Field.
JS: In order...
1. The only ones we know for sure are defensive tackle Brian Lawson (will be cleared to play) and right tackle Adam Kiel (out). NIU starts practice on Friday so we'll know a lot more as the first week progresses.
2. It's way too early to tell at this point. He'll likely have to pass a series of tests to have a chance.
3. That's a great question and I don't know the answer. Spann has been nothing short of fantastic for the Huskies this season and his college career path has certainly been an interesting one. College coaches just miss sometimes.
4. Part of your question was answered above but I'm sure the athletic department will try and line up donors for an indoor practice facility every chance they get.
