Victories in the Camellia Bowl and the opening round of the MVC Tournament contributed to a fairly successful Fall 2023 season for NIU, but there is plenty of room for the Huskies to surpass themselves in 2024.
Here’s how NIU can step up its game in each of its team sports this fall.
FOOTBALL
NIU football earned its first bowl game victory since 2011 after finishing the season with the MAC’s No. 4 scoring defense and No. 2 rushing offense. In pursuit of a repeat performance, the Huskies’ success will rest in their success at quarterback.
With the graduation of former NIU quarterback Rocky Lombardi, the Huskies will be led by a new opening day signal caller for the first time since 2020. NIU’s top options for the 2024 season include redshirt junior quarterbacks Jalen Macon and Ethan Hampton.
If anyone in the Huskies’ quarterback room breaks out in 2024, the sky’s the limit for NIU. If no aerial threat is established, the Huskies could be bottom-feeders.
VOLLEYBALL
NIU volleyball lived and died by its front line of defense in 2023, finishing No. 1 in the MAC in blocks and opponent blocks in an 8-22 season. NIU failed to finish in the top half of the MAC in any other statistical category.
If the Huskies are to turn the ship around, they will need a more potent offensive attack. NIU will need to find more digs and increase setting accuracy to allow its powerful front line to command games in 2024.
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S SOCCER
Despite both squads reaching its conference tournament, NIU men’s and women’s soccer both finished bottom-four in scoring in the MVC and MAC, respectively. The men’s team averaged 1.3 goals per game, even with the aid of a seven-goal game, while the women’s team averaged 0.9.
The women’s team recorded just eight assists on the season, accounting for less than half their scores. Improved positioning while passing could go a long way, particularly when it puts the ball on the foot of sophomore forward Tyra King, who led the team in goals last season with three.
The men’s team struggled with shooting frequency, ranking eighth out of nine teams in the MVC with 4.4 shots on goal per game. Aggressive offensive pushes are needed to create scoring opportunities, rather than simply waiting for them to arrive.
