The Northern Illinois University football team practiced in full pads for two hours Saturday in the Chessick Practice Center in an intense, physical practice that brought a smile to the face of NIU head coach Thomas Hammock.

"I loved the intensity, I thought the guys were physical, but it was a long two hours and those guys handled it the right way," Hammock said. "We want to be brilliant in fundamentals, and our guys have taken to that. I think to have a practice yesterday and then stack another day today, that helps us become better as a football team."

The majority of the practice was spent in 11-on-11 scrimmage periods, with an emphasis on situations. The Huskie defense enthusiastically celebrated its "winning" plays – including whistled (no tackle) sacks, pass break-ups, fumble recoveries and interceptions by safety Muhammad Jammeh and linebacker Daveren Rayner. The offense had plenty of moments as well, whether it was running backs Harrison Waylee, Antario Brown and Mason Blakemore running through substantial holes created by NIU's veteran offensive line or quarterback Rocky Lombardi hitting receivers Trayvon Rudolph and Cole Tucker.

"Obviously the defense is playing with energy," Hammock said. "That's normally what happens early, but they have to be able to sustain. We'll grade the tape and have an opportunity to see who won the day. It's going to be close."

Defensive tackle James Ester said defensive players feed off each other and making plays becomes contagious.

"You love the atmosphere, you love the energy and we're just going to continue to make that contagious through the entire spring," Ester said. "[That energy] just builds on top of each other. One guy makes the play, and everybody feels like they made a play, you do your 1/11 and keep pushing."

Hammock said the response to each side's big plays was characteristic of the mentality required at those positions.

"Offensively you have to think about your job, right?" said Hammock. "There are 11 guys trying to work together to make each particular play work. Defensively, there is a lot more enthusiasm, passion and getting off the ball and being physical. So there are differences. Obviously, when you make more plays, offensively, you can quiet down the defense. It went back and forth throughout practice at different points, and sometimes the defense will get hyped on a play that they may not have necessarily made. Still, I like what they're trying to accomplish as a unit."

The Huskies return to the practice field Monday morning.