12 TEAMS - 12 DAYS: NORTHEASTERN HUSKIES
12 TEAMS | 12 DAYS: NORTHEASTERN HUSKIES
2009 CAA Football Media Guide: Northeastern Huskies
Last season, the Northeastern Huskies once again played one of the toughest schedules in all of FCS and struggled to a 2-10 record, 1-7 in CAA Football. Faced with a difficult schedule and injuries too numerous to count, the Huskies persevered and remained competitive in every game they played. With last season in the rear view mirror, Northeastern has the future to look forward to. The 2009 season will be a new challenge as the Huskies get younger on offense, older on defense and will play a schedule that has them leaving New England just once. Under sixth-year head coach Rocky Hager, the Huskies return 47 lettermen, including 12 starters, in the quest for a CAA Football championship.
In Brian Surace’s first season as offensive coordinator, the Huskies will employ a new system. They will use a spread offense that will include use of the shotgun. Quarterback will be Northeastern’s biggest question mark after graduating Anthony Orio, the school’s third-most leader in all-time passing yards. Backup John Sperrazza also graduated, leaving the Huskies with no signal callers with any experience. However, the Huskies do have talented options in junior Alex Dulski and redshirt freshman Matt Carroll. Dulski has an explosive arm and has been learning the nuances of the offense for the last three seasons.
Frank Forcucci takes over as defensive coordinator, and he aims to pursue the football on every play. Junior David Akinniyi, who is NU’s most disruptive defender and pass rusher, will transition to the defensive line. He made six sacks to go with his 59 tackles last season and also forced and recovered two fumbles. The linebacking corps continues to be the strongest unit on defense for Northeastern. It will be anchored by senior Phil Higgins, who made 122 tackles in 2008, which is tied for fifth-best in NU single-season history. Higgins was starting in place of senior Craig Kenney, who missed all of 2008 with a knee injury. Kenney is aiming to get back to his dominant 2007 season when he made 54 tackles in just eight games. Now the two will start together at inside linebacker, creating a force in the middle for the Huskies.