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Northern Illinois ready for its moment in sun
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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Bright lights, big stage. This is what Northern Illinois aspired to after reeling off 12 straight victories, another Mid-American Conference championship and a No. 15 ranking in the BCS standings. "They won't have stage fright, I can tell you that," NIU coach Rod Carey said of his team's historic appearance against Florida State in tonight's Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. The Huskies will become the first team from the MAC to appear in a BCS bowl. "We're excited for NIU and excited for the MAC," Carey said. "It's a validation of a lot of things we've talked about in the last couple of years," MAC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said. The whirlwind of events has seen the Huskies win the MAC title over Kent State in overtime. NIU coach Dave Doeren then left to take over at North Carolina State. And Carey was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach as the Huskies received the controversial invitation to the Orange Bowl. "Our concern is always being too excited," Carey said. "You try to take that away from them by focusing on the little things, on the details, and make it routine for them — muscle memory." Carey said he has had several conversations with Doeren about this record-setting NIU team, and also about Florida State. N.C. State handed the Seminoles one of their two losses this season, 17-16 on Oct. 6. (Doeren) has looked at the film and I've looked at the film, and (we) compared notes," Carey said. "We've talked a ton about it." NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch has not been shy about expressing his confidence that the Huskies can pull off a major upset. Asked to describe his toughness, mindset and attitude, the Mount Carmel product said: "Living in Chicago growing up, kind of blue-collar and always got a chip on your shoulder and (a guy who) always does things the right way and respects the game." Florida State safety Lamarcus Joyner has taken notice of Lynch's bold statements. "I heard their quarterback says they have an up-tempo offense and that they are looking forward to running us in the grass," Joyner said. "That's all I know about the offense, other than what I see on film. They've got some good football players. Otherwise, they wouldn't be 15th in the country or be in the Orange Bowl, so we are looking forward to the challenge." Regarding Lynch's extreme confidence, Joyner said: "It makes football that much more interesting. When you put that bull's-eye on yourself, you have to be able to walk the talk. I respect it. I like it. I think it's cute." 
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Today is Tuesday, May 21, the 141st day of 2013. There are 224 days left in the year.
1863 -- 150 years ago: On Monday the 11th inst. on Center Ridge in Mercer County,some citizens got out their cannon to celebrate the taking of Richmond. The gun wasoverloaded and burst. No one was injured, but one 30-pound piece went though thesecond story of a house.
1888 -- 125 years ago: The old folks concert at the Harper Theater last night to benefit St.Luke's Cottage Hospital, attracted a large audience.
1913 -- 100 years ago: Unless depredation by vandals in Rock Island parks is halted,special policemen will be assigned to night duty to protect the flowers and other property.
1938 -- 75 years ago: Station WHBF has received a special citation from Washington forits participation in Air Mail Week, which was observed this week throughout the nation.
1963 -- 50 years ago: A 10-year high in employment in the Quad-City area was reachedat the end of the last quarter, according to an industrial employment barometer releasedtoday.
1988 -- 25 years ago: Pee Wee teams will be able to play baseball and softball as usualon Diamond Three at Dorrance Park this summer, but after that, the ball field is doomed.County crews have put the diamond back in shape after heavy trucks marred the playingfield earlier this spring. Illinois Department of Transportation crews drove onto it to makeborings for the relocation of the junction of Illinois 84 and the Port Byron-Hillsdale road.
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