DeKALB — They took shots. They missed shots. They lost — again.
But something was different about the Huskies’ latest defeat at Eastern Michigan. For the first time in weeks, it felt like they had finally taken a swing on offense, showing a willingness to throw deep against the Eagles.
NIU (1-5, 0-2 MAC) will need that same fearlessness on Saturday for what might be its toughest test yet: a visit to the Mid-American Conference’s reigning champion, Ohio University. The Bobcats (3-3, 1-1 MAC) have been nearly unbeatable in Athens — going 20-1 at home since 2022 — and made a statement last year by steamrolling Miami in the MAC title game.
“This is a good football team,” NIU head coach Thomas Hammock said of the Bobcats. “They’ve done a nice job with their program. Obviously, we’re going to be ready to play. We’re going to go out there, and we’re going to give it our best and see if we can put four quarters together in all three phases to give ourselves the best chance to win.”
Though beating the Bobcats might be a tall task, the Huskies have done it before. In their last meeting in 2023, NIU pulled off a 23-13 upset of Ohio in the 116th Homecoming game, handing the Bobcats their first MAC loss of the season.
This time around, the Huskies will try to play the spoiler to Ohio’s homecoming game, which will require slowing down the conference’s second-ranked offense. Quarterback Parker Navarro is second in the MAC in passing (211 yards per game), wide receiver Chase Hendricks leads the league in receiving (97.5 yards per game) and running back Sieh Bangura ranks third in rushing (80.2 yards per game).
“We know what they do, but we also know that we’re a really good defense,” defensive end Jalonnie Williams said. “We just stick to what we know and continue to do that — do our jobs.”
This season, the Huskies have limited opponents to 323 yards and 20.3 points per game and recorded five takeaways. Linebacker Quinn Urwiler sits third in the FBS in total tackles (70), while safety Muhammed Jammeh’s two interceptions are tied for the MAC lead.
‘We’re very close’
Offensively, the Huskies remain one of the teams in not just the FBS, but all of Division I after a 10-point showing in Week 7. NIU ranks 258th out of 260 D1 teams in scoring offense (10.8 points per game), 252nd in total offense (257.7 yards per game) and 256th in passing offense (99.8 yards per game).
Even so, NIU is trending in a better direction on that side of the ball. Despite missing multiple big play opportunities their last time out, the Huskies still put up a season-best 323 yards against Eastern Michigan.
“We’re very close,” running back Chavon Wright said. “I know we’re going to get there because, in practice, we really look like we’re a high-scoring offense. I feel like we’re going to get there very soon — this game.”
Win big or go home
Above all else, Saturday’s matchup will be a pivotal moment in the Huskies’ season — a true high-risk, high-reward scenario. A loss would drop them to six defeats on the season, putting them on the brink of missing a bowl game for the first time since 2022.
A win, though, could be the spark NIU desperately needs to keep its hopes of reaching Detroit — and bringing home one last MAC title — alive.
“It’s a big statement, because that could really turn our season around,” Williams said. “If we go in, win this game, we get the ball rolling, we could win out and who knows?”
