Oct. 09--DEKALB, Ill. -- Opponents have quickly learned the perils of throwing anywhere in the vicinity of Northern Illinois cornerback Shawun Lurry. The sophomore is tied for the national lead with five interceptions in five games.
"He's just a ballhawk, he's always around it," coach Rod Carey said. "His preparation has gotten extremely good compared to last year ... (and) understanding more about what it takes to prepare to be successful."
While Lurry has proved adept at taking the ball away, the Huskies (2-3) will be looking to cut down on their own turnovers when they host Ball State on Saturday. They committed eight while losing their last three games, including four last week that resulted in 20 Central Michigan points in a 29-19 defeat.
Ball State (2-3) also dropped its Mid-American Conference opener, giving up 24 second-quarter points to Toledo in a 24-10 loss.
"They had a 24-point quarter on them, we had 23," Carey said. "I don't think theirs was necessarily turnover-based like ours -- it was more big-play Toledo stuff that happened -- but I'm sure they have a similar taste in their mouth."
The sting of defeat hasn't been lessened for Lurry by his national recognition. He was named Jim Thorpe defensive back of the week for his two interceptions and two pass breakups in a 20-13 loss to No. 1 Ohio State on Sept. 19.
"It feels good to be honored and win those awards," Lurry said. "But at the end of the day, I'm still not happy we lost three games in a row (and) the way we played."
The 5-foot-8, 178-pound Lurry was a three-time all-state selection at Florida high school power Dwyer in Palm Beach Gardens. He was originally bound for community college before accepting NIU's offer, and he played in 13 games as a true freshman last year with 14 tackles -- but no interceptions.
That has changed this year as a more mature Lurry secured a starting role.
Carey said Lurry's success has grown in part out of early and consistent exposure to the sport.
"He grew up playing football," Carey said. "Other people might play basketball. Other people may play baseball. The people he grew up around, his friends, they played football.
"When you have that backyard football, (it's) all about the ball. And he definitely knows how to get after the ball."
Jack McCarthy is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
