Scott Crabtree is a tough guy-especially on himself.
Following his first start at quarterback for Northern Illinois, a 23-10 victory Saturday over Southern Mississippi, the junior college transfer assessed his performance. It wasn`t glowing.
”I`d give myself a `D,` ” he said. ”I`m real rusty. You can tell I haven`t played for a year.”
Entering Saturday`s game, Crabtree had seen limited action against Illinois and Illinois State. When Rob Rugai strained a ligament in his right knee against Middle Tennessee State, the decision was made to rest him and go with Crabtree.
He responded with a 9-for-25 effort for 139 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass to Raymond Roberts. He had his moments of nervousness, confusion (of his ill-advised interception at the 2-yard line: ”It was like the devil made my arm go. It was just stupid”) and frustration. But he basically got the job done.
”I wasn`t worried about starting him,” said coach Charlie Sadler.
”He`s an excellent talent with the ability to make big plays.”
Did he show enough to bump Rugai, who`s having an excellent season, from a starting job?
”We`ll take this game film and evaluate how Scott did vs. Rob`s performances,” said Sadler. ”We`ll make a determination after our open date.”
That open date comes Saturday, and it`s a much-needed one for the Huskies. They lost two more players Saturday for up to a month-defensive end Mike Jordan with a broken foot and punt returner/backup tailback Steve Rodgers with a sprained knee.
”We`re a somewhat beat-up team,” said Sadler. ”The open date is coming at an opportune time.”
