The state’s longest-running collegiate tradition returns this week as NIU celebrates its 118th Homecoming. Coming off a frustrating loss at home to close non-conference play, the Huskies are staying in DeKalb to host their first Mid-American Conference foe of the season: the Miami RedHawks.
NIU (1-3) and Miami (1-3) have faced off plenty before, but this will be the fifth time they’ve played for the Mallory Cup, honoring the late Bill Mallory. The Redhawks have claimed the trophy in each of the past four meetings, including last year’s 20-9 victory in Oxford, Ohio.
With gameday just around the corner, the Northern Star went Behind Enemy Bylines with Kethan Babu, the sports editor for The Miami Student, to see what Miami will bring into what’ll be the schools’ final meeting as league rivals.
Northern Star: Saturday will likely be the last time NIU and Miami play for the Mallory Cup. How is this rivalry viewed on Miami’s side, and how important is it to retain this trophy?
Kethan Babu: History is incredibly important to Miami; one look at Yager Stadium and the Cradle of Coaches will reveal just how important the legacy here is to the program. Bill Mallory was an incredibly important part of that history, as he was at the helm for arguably the best era of our program in the 1970s.
Speaking more broadly, NIU has always been a notable conference matchup here, not just for football but for basketball as well. We also have a lot of students on campus from the Chicago area which helps create that rivalry as well.
Retaining the trophy is incredibly important for Miami considering this will be the final time we face NIU, at least as a MAC opponent. It’s also vital because it opens conference play for the RedHawks, and they are looking to start the slate strong enroute to another appearance in Detroit later this year.
NS: Miami just got its first win of the season in last week’s 38-0 rout of Lindenwood. How does this team’s momentum look after a shaky start in non-conference play?
KB: It’s good to finally get a win on our record, but the team hasn’t forgotten any of its previous three games, all of which it could have won. Critical mistakes against Wisconsin and Rutgers cost the RedHawks two winnable, although difficult, road matchups against Big Ten teams.
The home-opener against UNLV was another one that the RedHawks played strong but couldn’t close the deal. Miami held two 14-point leads in the third quarter, but the Rebels still managed to hold a lead when the clock struck zero.
Those three losses made this Lindenwood win that much more enjoyable. The RedHawks looked strong despite significant injuries, notably quarterback Dequan Finn. Starting out 1-3 isn’t ideal, but it’s no different from last season when Miami entered MAC play with one win and three losses. That team was still able to make it to the MAC championship, so it shows that a rough start isn’t the end-all-be-all for the RedHawks.
With that being said, starting conference play hot is crucial for Miami to make the trip back to Ford Field. The new players (freshmen and transfers alike) have four games under their belt now to learn how college football and football in Oxford operates. Head coach Chuck Martin said the team is still growing, but they aren’t nearly the same as they were just a few weeks ago.
NS: Starting quarterback Dequan Finn missed last week’s game with an injury he suffered against UNLV. Is he expected to play against NIU, or should we expect Henry Hesson to make his second career start?
KB: Dequan Finn was practicing this week, making it possible for him to start against NIU. However, with an injury like what he had against the Rebels, the RedHawks are also prepared to lean on Henry Hesson, who is another strength on this Miami offense.
Finn and Hesson both have a lot of experience in college football, with Finn playing several years at Toledo and Hesson serving as a backup for all five of his years here. Whichever path Martin takes when choosing his starting quarterback, the RedHawks know they have an experienced player behind center who knows the Miami system.
We’d love to see Finn back on the field, especially using his mobility to scramble, but we’re not going to complain if Hesson is out there instead. He proved himself to be more than a capable quarterback against Lindenwood.
NS: NIU has struggled to find an offensive rhythm over the first four games. What weak points does the Miami defense have that the Huskies might be able to exploit on Saturday?
KB: The tale of the offseason for Miami was how many players we lost on the roster. Between guys graduating and entering the transfer portal, both sides of the ball had several holes to fill.
With that being said, Miami’s defense is looking great so far. Several strong leaders like Silas Walters and Corban Hondru returned for the 2025 season, and guys like Adam Trick have proven to be staples of this defense.
However, a weak point for Miami’s defense would be a struggle to play four full quarters. The RedHawks seem to struggle with maintaining their success in both halves. They play a great first half, holding opponents within one or two scores, but whether they get tired or struggle to adjust to the opponent’s adaptions, the RedHawks don’t seem to be able to replicate their success in the third and fourth quarters.
NS: Which players do you expect to be Miami’s biggest weapons on offense and defense?
KB: On offense, I expect Kam Perry to be a star for the RedHawks. He caught two incredible passes, both more than 60 yards, and finished the day with 122 yards and two touchdowns. He’s a returner in the receiver room that consists of mostly transfer players, and he’s proven to be a standout so far this season.
Defensively, there are many players to go with, but I’d argue the biggest weapon is Silas Walters. Again, he’s a returner in the secondary, and he’s a team captain on a team that is completely different from last year. He and Corban Hondru have two interceptions each, and he found a sack against Rutgers as a safety.
NS: Finally, what’s your final score prediction for this game?
KB: I see this being a defensive battle and a low-scoring affair. My final score prediction will be 24-17, Miami. The RedHawks got their first win, giving them momentum, and they’re looking to start the season strong with a huge road win against a conference opponent that they won’t have the chance to face again.
