Passionate NIU football fans would be lying if a similar thought didn't cross their minds, with ... Column: Say goodbye to the

Passionate NIU football fans would be lying if a similar thought didn't cross their minds, with the football team as its target. The team has stumbled after high preseason hopes, losing win-able home games against Ohio and now Toledo, and never synching up its young defense and injured offense. A fitting encapsulation of the season occurred on the second-to-last play against Toledo. With a third-and-goal at the 2, the remaining fans chanted "Wolfe! Wolfe! Wolfe!" The NIU playcalling obliged, but the interior line didn't and the run was stuffed. The unsuccessful fourth down play just meant the third-down play wouldn't be forgotten.

There is a tendency to think, be it from massive doses of the game on Saturdays and Sundays or all-week playing of video games like Madden 2007, that problems happen on the football season in isolation. If Temple and Toledo stack the line, then keep gashing them with passes down the middle. But then consider the loss of talented wide receiver Sam Hurd, who kept safeties honest with his speed. Or the injury to tight end Jake Nordin, who could effectively block those extra men on the line. Or an offensive line still seeking a stabilizing young force at center.

Then factor in coaching decisions (plenty of us always do), the weather, solid opposing coaches and the randomness of when pigskin meets hands, and a 10-2 conference title contender turns into a 5-5 team with a new goal: a winning season.

NIU still deals with high expectations the way one walks on a trampoline for the first time. Examples throughout the country encourage fans and players to bound for great heights. But this new foundation of success carries with it the perpetual fear of falling.

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