Huskie Stadium saw its first sold-out home opener since 2003 with Saturday’s game against Eastern Illinois University.

Single tickets to the game had sold out by Friday, and NIU reported attendance as 23,595. Last season’s home opener, against University of Tennessee at Martin, had a reported attendance of 16,010. NIU won Saturday’s game, 43-39, extending its home turf winning streak to 22.

“I think it was just the combined effort of a lot of hard work from a lot of people over the course of the last few months to try to drive attendance,” said Ryan Sedevie, associate athletic director for Collegiate Advancement and External Relations.

Sedevie said he believes the increased attendance came from “buzz around the program,” among other things.

“[It] had a lot to do with just some changes around game day at Huskie Stadium,” he said. “Whether it be changes to parking or the pre-game conference series that was initiated, improved concession look, in-stadium upgrades … a brand new scoreboard with a new sound system…. All those things kind of come together and it just makes it a great atmosphere at Huskie Stadium.”

Huskies fan Jack Erickson, 46, of Oak Brook, said he came to the game because of NIU’s strong record from last season and because it was the Huskies’ first home game of the season. That fan support helped NIU win, Sedevie said.

“If you were in the game, you felt the electricity from the opening kickoff throughout the four quarters,” he said. “It was loud; it was hard on opponents. They had a tough time communicating, and obviously that helped out team…. It didn’t look pretty early on, but the team stuck with it and when you can have that place filled and loud, that’s definitely to your advantage.”

Sedevie said Athletics will “continue to cater toward our students” as it works on an improved game day atmosphere.

“I think the season will be really fun,” said senior economics major Cithlaly Dudic. “Everyone is so hyped about our football team because of our record and I am really excited to see if they keep up their streak.”

Athletics is already looking to pack Huskie Stadium for NIU’s Oct. 12 Homecoming game, when the Huskies will face Akron.

“Get your tickets in advance,” Sedevie said. “Let’s get there, let’s get that place sold out and loud again for Homecoming.”