The ISU football team will play another tough road opponent when it heads to DeKalb, Ill., on Saturday.

The Cyclones will look to bounce back against Northern Illinois after a 40-21 loss to in-state rival Iowa and an off week.

“It’s behind us now,” freshman quarterback Austin Flynn said. “We’ve got to keep looking forward and keep getting better each day.”

Junior punt returner Todd Miller said the loss to Iowa has motivated the Cyclones for this weekend.

“We definitely didn’t perform the way we wanted to and prepared to,” he said. “That’s the players’ fault. I think it’s going to fuel us and help us prepare better. We feel very confident right now. A week of preparation really helped us, and we’re looking forward to the game.”

After impressive wins over Maryland and Alabama, Northern Illinois is ranked 20th — their first ranking in school history.

Although the Huskies offense is propelled by Heisman Trophy candidate Michael Turner, their defense is a large part of their success.

“They’re giving up 15 points a game,” McCarney said. “They’re really, really outstanding on the defensive side of the ball.”

That defense is part of the reason Northern Illinois is favored to win the Mid-American Conference title.

“They’re an attacking style defense,” McCarney said. “They play that way; they aren’t cautious with anything, they’re very aggressive.”

The Cyclones will look to re-establish their running game against the Huskies after gaining just 71 yards on 40 carries against Iowa.

“You don’t have to lead the conference, but you’ve got to have a good solid running game that you can go to,” McCarney said.

Holes in the offensive line could be filled by a familiar face — senior captain Bob Montgomery.

“If the doctor gives the okay, then we will give him some more work the next few nights and we will play him in the game Saturday,” McCarney said. “If they say, ‘Wait another week,’ then that’s what we’ll do.”

Mid-American Conference teams have been upsetting large conference teams recently and gaining the respect of teams nationwide. The most recent upsets were last week when Toledo beat No. 9 Pittsburgh, Marshall beat No. 6 Kansas State and Northern Illinois beat No. 21 Alabama.

“I think the thing about [Northern Illinois] that impresses me the most is not only do they play hard, but they’re a well-coached team,” senior safety Marc Timmons said. “You don’t see them [have] many turnovers.”

Possibly the most important comparison that can be made between the two teams is special teams.

Two weeks ago, the Cyclones had two of punter Troy Blankenship’s punts blocked — one was recovered for a touchdown, the other resulted in a field goal.

Special teams play helped the Huskies knock off Alabama on the road by a 19-16 count.

“They won the special teams down at Alabama,” McCarney said. “[They] blocked a punt [and] blocked a PAT for a two-point advantage.”

Northern Illinois punter Anthony Gallagher kicked the ball seven times for a 46.4 yard average.

Huskies’ kicker Steve Azar is another great special teams player for Northern Illinois. For the third straight year, Azar is a preseason candidate for the Lou Groza award, which recognizes the nation’s best placekicker.

Azar was a Groza award semi-finalist in 2001.

Blankenship and senior Adam Benike will likely have the kicking duties against Northern Illinois. Junior kicker/punter Tony Yelk was listed by McCarney as “very questionable” for Saturday’s game. Yelk injured his knee against Ohio and did not play against Iowa.

Kickoff at Huskie Stadium is scheduled for 3:05 p.m.