NIU football (7-5, 4-4 MAC) senior cornerback JaVaughn Byrd earned this week’s Huskie of the Week Award after contributing to the Huskies’ 24-16 victory over the Central Michigan University Chippewas (4-8, 2-6 MAC) on Saturday.
Early in the second quarter, after senior defensive tackle Cade Haberman blocked the Chippewas’ extra-point attempt, Byrd returned the blocked kick 95 yards and reached the endzone. The return extended NIU’s lead to 21-6.
Byrd finished second on the team with 5 total tackles while allowing 5 catches for 37 yards.
The matchup was the Huskies’ final game of the regular season. NIU will compete in a bowl game, though, which will be announced on Sunday.
The Northern Star sports section’s Huskie of the Week is voted for on a weekly basis. Student-athletes considered for this week’s edition were chosen based on their weekly performance in competitions taking place from Nov. 25 to Dec. 2.
