The football team nearly upset Georgia Southern this week. A big reason why was Anthony Orio, who played a strong game against host Georgia Southern, the then-No. 15 ranked Football Championship Subdivision team.

Orio completed 24 of 38 attempts and finished with 287 passing yards. He added a touchdown pass in the contest and threw no interceptions, a performance that has earned him Huntington News Player of the Week honors.

Orio is the quarterback for the Huskies, a position he maintains as a grad student working towards a master’s degree of applied nutrition. Orio has proven himself a strong quarterback in the modern era of NU football, ranking fifth all-time in passing for the Huskies.

“He played a great game [against Georgia Southern], consistently putting us where we needed to be,” said head coach Rocky Hager. “If circumstances were different, the hostile environment, the skilled opponents … who knows. But he managed things very nicely.

Orio, with all five of his years at the program, said he feels he brings experience and knowledge to the younger players.

“I’ve been here a long time,” said Orio. “I’ve played in a lot of games, I’ve seen a lot of games. I hope that I can help the younger guys any way I can.

After graduating, Orio was not obligated to come back for a fifth year. Orio gave up medical school for the time being to come back and play the final year.

“He sacrificed to come back for us,” Hager said, “Basically he’s here to play for himself, and for his teammates. And that’s greatly appreciated.”

Orio hails from Fordyce, New Jersey, where he played for Eastern Regional High School. With four years of play on his record, he finished his final high school years as the MVP for Eastern Regional, as well as the team captain. In addition to his football duties, Orio was the wrestling captain, winning a state title and ranking nationally in his weight class.

A powerhouse on the field, Orio takes his discipline into the classroom as well. In May, Orio graduated summa cum laude with the class of 2008 with a B.S. in biochemistry. Orio did no co-ops, graduating in four years.

Many feel that Orio is a very unique person, on the field, off the field, even in one-on-one conversation.

“He’s a very special guy,” Hager said. “He has a demeanor about him that is very calming. People don’t feel stressed, and he gets us to the line [without stress].”

Though Orio played a great game against Georgia Southern this past weekend, it’s clear that he is more than a player with a great game. In his tenure at Northeastern, he has racked up many honors, set many records and met many standards. such as his 20 career touchdown passes. Orio, however, is quick to dismiss them.

“I really don’t care about stats, it doesn’t make a difference in the end,” Orio says. “If I win football games, I’m happy.”

Orio said he looks forward to his final season with high hopes.

“I want to have a winning record,” Orio says. “That’s first and foremost. Then I want to go the playoffs.”

His coach said he sees the qualities in Orio that make him an effective leader and football player.

“He’s a very complete player, and he’s a unique person,” Hager said.

– Jason Woods, News Correspondent