Editor’s note: This story was updated at 4:32 p.m. Thursday to include a copy of the Sept. 2, 2028, game contract obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request by the Northern Star.
DeKALB — The NIU football team has added another Power Four opponent to its future schedule with the addition of a 2028 road game at the University of Pittsburgh, according to a report from FBSchedules.com.
NIU will visit the University of Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2028, at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — marking the first-ever meeting between the schools. The game will also serve as the season opener for both teams. NIU is set to receive a $1.1 million guarantee from Pitt for playing the contest, per a copy of the game contract.
With the addition of Pittsburgh, NIU now has three non-conference opponents lined up for the 2028 season — all hailing from the Power Four conferences. After the opener, the Huskies will visit the Ohio State University Buckeyes on Sept. 16 before traveling to SEC country to face the University of Missouri Tigers on Sept. 30. NIU’s final non-conference foe will likely come from the Football Championship Subdivision.
NIU’s future non-conference opponents
2025 — Holy Cross, at Maryland, at Mississippi State, San Diego State
2026 — at Iowa, Illinois State, at Arizona
2027 — at Nebraska, at Colorado, South Florida
2028 — at Pitt, at Ohio State, at Missouri
2029 — at Iowa, at Middle Tennessee, Missouri
2030 — Middle Tennessee, BYU
2031 — San Diego State
2032 — at Missouri
