DeKALB — This weekend, the Mallory Cup will be awarded for the final time before NIU’s departure for the Mountain West Conference.
NIU and Miami (Ohio) will meet at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Huskie Stadium to play for a trophy created in honor of the late Bill Mallory, who had memorable coaching stints with both programs during his hall of fame career. Since the trophy’s creation in 2018, Miami has dominated the rivalry with a 4-0 record — all four games being relatively low-scoring.
Since the Huskies (1-3) and RedHawks (1-3) aren’t scheduled to cross paths again after this year, the stakes are higher than ever before — Saturday’s winner will keep the trophy, with no rematch in sight.
“It’s a big emphasis to win the Mallory Cup,” wide receiver DeAree Rogers said. “So we can be the first team to get it (back) and the last team to have it.”
However, this game carries more than just trophy implications. It also doubles as NIU’s 118th Homecoming game and Mid-American Conference opener, which only adds to the pressure to perform well.
“Everything is geared toward trying to play your best football when MAC opponents come up,” head coach Thomas Hammock said. “A lot of alumni coming back to town and a lot of former players, so we certainly want to go out there and play our best football.”
QB questions loom for struggling offense
NIU enters Week 6 riding a three-game losing streak — its latest a 6-3 loss to San Diego State that magnified the team’s offensive struggles.
The Huskies managed only a single field goal in the defeat, dropping them to the basement of the Football Bowl Subdivision in multiple offensive categories. They now own the worst scoring offense in the FBS, averaging just 10.2 points per game, and rank second-to-last in total offense with 248.8 yards per game, ahead of only UMass.
“Our offense is not good enough, and we need to get better,” Hammock said.
Quarterback Josh Holst has been at the center of those struggles, completing just 59.7% of his passes for 376 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions through the first four games. And after throwing for less than 50 yards in Saturday’s loss, a QB change isn’t out of the question.
Though Holst was listed as NIU’s starting quarterback on the most recent depth chart, Hammock didn’t commit to him as the starter during Tuesday’s press conference.
“We’re still practicing, so we’re working throughout the week,” Hammock said when asked if Holst would start against Miami.
If Holst is ultimately benched, freshman Brady Davidson would likely make his first collegiate start. Ironically, it would mark the second straight year NIU has a quarterback make his first career start during Homecoming — Holst did the same last season against Toledo.
Defensive duties
While the offense remains in limbo, NIU will lean heavily on a defense that’s been its strongest unit.
The Huskies rank top 50 nationally and top three in the MAC in scoring defense (20.25 points per game), total defense (318.8 yards per game) and third-down conversions allowed (32.7%). This week, those strengths could be magnified by a RedHawk offense that’s converted just 8-of-38 third-down attempts — the second-worst conversion rate in the FBS.
Adding to the workload, NIU’s defense will have to prepare for two possible quarterbacks. Miami starter Dequan Finn has been dealing with an undisclosed injury he suffered against UNLV on Sept. 20, leaving backup Henry Hesson to lead the RedHawks offense. Depending on Finn’s health, the Huskies could see one — or both — under center on Saturday.
Regardless of which passer they’ll face, NIU will look to build off last week’s two-takeaway performance against the Aztecs. Safeties Jasper Beeler and Muhammed Jammeh each intercepted SDSU’s Jayden Denegal on Saturday.
Takeaways — or “takebacks,” as defensive coordinator Rob Harley calls them — have been a focal point for the defense all season long. The Huskies have four total this year, led by Jammeh’s two picks.
“You’ve just got to keep improving on that,” Jammeh said. “I’d be more than greatly appreciative to have a lot of picks on the season … It’s kind of my knack. I just want to be a playmaker, take the ball away, be a menace around the ball.”
Starting over
With a rough non-conference slate behind them, the Huskies now have a chance to hit the reset button. Their 1-3 record no longer carries weight as NIU starts MAC play with a 0-0 record — the only ledger that matters for earning a trip to Detroit for the conference championship.
Hammock said the team’s mentality, approach, practice habits and work ethic are right. Now, it’s just a matter of practice translating into games and NIU turning the corner it’s supposed to.
“I feel like we are on the cusp of doing some good things,” Hammock said. “We just need to find a spark, and then, hopefully, that will ignite us.”
