As it prepares to close the book on its near-30-year run in the Mid-American Conference, the NIU football team has one departing wish: to stand atop the mountaintop of MACtion, one last time.
After an intense overhaul to the roster and coaching staff, seventh-year head coach Thomas Hammock believes his Huskies have the traits and the talent necessary to fulfill that wish. However, the MAC is as tough to win as it is unpredictable.
Despite his better judgement, Senior Sports Reporter Skyler Kisellus breaks out his crystal ball — dusty as it may be — to predict how a pivotal 2025 campaign might play out for the Huskies.
Key Wins:
at Mississippi State (Sept. 20)
With two Power Four opponents on its schedule and a power-killing reputation to uphold, NIU will likely beat one of Maryland or Mississippi State. Between the two, Mississippi State presents the easier challenge, especially after last year’s 2-10 outing under head coach Jeff Lebby.
One of the Bulldogs’ 10 losses in 2024 was a 41-17 beatdown at home by NIU’s leaguemate Toledo. Assuming NIU’s new-look offense lives up to expectations, the Huskies are primed to be the next MAC team to upset Mississippi State in Starkville – and to collect their 20th Boneyard victory.
vs. Miami (Oct. 4)
Make no mistake, the RedHawks are a tough team to face. They’re fresh off their second straight appearance in the MAC title game and led by the conference’s longest-tenured head coach in Chuck Martin. Miami also replaced longtime quarterback Brett Gabbert with former Toledo signal-caller Dequan Finn.
However, with this year’s matchup doubling as NIU’s Homecoming game and the final clash for the Mallory Cup, the Huskies almost seem destined to do to Finn and the RedHawks what they did to Kurtis Rourke and the Ohio Bobcats two Homecomings ago.
Key Losses:
at Ohio (Oct. 18)
Though NIU spoiled Ohio’s fun the last time the two teams faced off in 2023, the Bobcats are set to be a much fiercer opponent in 2025. Ohio enters the season as the reigning MAC champion and has former offensive coordinator Brian Smith leading the way as head coach. Veteran quarterback Parker Navarro is also back under center after earning All-MAC second team honors in 2024.
Come Oct. 18, the two squads should be competitive for the better part of three quarters before the Bobcats’ put the game away in the late stages to send NIU home empty-handed.
at Toledo (Nov. 5)
NIU. Toledo. Midweek MACtion. What’s a more fitting way to end such a passionate rivalry?
On paper, this game should feature two high-scoring offenses and will likely turn into a shootout a la NIU-Kent State in the 2021 regular season — but probably not as high-scoring. However, it’s one the home team squeaks out a victory in, leaving NIU with a very bitter taste in its mouth.
Final record prediction: 8-4, 6-2 MAC
Good news: The last time the Huskies went 8-4 in the regular season, they won the MAC championship game. Bad news: That probably won’t be enough this year.
While wins over Maryland and Miami go a long way, those road losses to Ohio and Toledo likely end up costing NIU a chance to play for a seventh MAC title. Still, an 8-4 record sends the Huskies bowling for a third consecutive season, setting the stage for their first-ever bowl three-peat.
Offensive MVP: Telly Johnson Jr.
Even after star running back Antario Brown went down with a season-ending injury last November, the Huskies’ run game didn’t lose a step. That was in large part due to the emergence of freshman Telly Johnson Jr., who finished the year with 495 yards and four touchdowns on 103 carries.
Entering his sophomore season, Johnson is poised to lead NIU’s stacked cast of running backs. Provided he can replicate last year’s success, Johnson is primed to become the next great in the Huskies’ storied succession of rushers.
Defensive MVP: Roy Williams
I’ll let you in on one of NIU’s worst-kept secrets: Roy Williams is a freak. Williams was one of the MAC top defenders last season, making 38 tackles – 22 solo – while recording 6.5 sacks and a forced fumble. The 6-foot-6, 257-pound defensive end has an insane combination of speed, strength and agility, which makes him hard to stop once he flips on his switch.
Back for his senior season, Williams is primed for a career year, especially with edge-rushing partner Jalonnie Williams lining up on the opposite side for the second straight year. That said, it’s not hard to imagine Williams leaving NIU as one of the best edge rushers to come through DeKalb since Sutton Smith.
Breakout candidate: Josh Holst
Last season, NIU fans got their first real glimpse of quarterback Josh Holst, and the flashes shown by the young signal-caller were hard to miss. Most importantly, he demonstrated a dual-threat ability the Huskies have missed at quarterback since pre-injury Rocky Lombardi.
Now, Holst enters Year 3 with another offseason of preparation under his belt and an intimate understanding of Quinn Sanders’ new offense. Holst has said the scheme reminds him of the RPO shotgun attack he ran in high school at Marengo.
