Iowa State will visit Northern Illinois on Saturday in what may be the biggest day in the history of that program. The Huskies have beaten Maryland and Alabama and carry the nation’s number 22 ranking into the matchup with the Cyclones.Northern Illinois quarterback Josh Haldi says it’s been awhile since there’s been this much excitement about football on campus. A program which just a few years ago suffered through a 23-game losing streak is now favored against a team out of the Big-12 Conference. Linebacker Nick Duffy says it’s something they worked for and is nice. Duffy says he thought it was odd to be a big underdog going into the Alabama game, and says it will be nice to go into a game as the favorite. Senior receiver P.J. Fleck says he had no idea coach Joe Novak could get the program to this point. He says his motto is “those who stay will be champions.” Fleck says some who saw their 23-game losing streak snickered at that motto, but it has come true.
