The football program took another step in the right direction with the scheduling of the Northwestern Wildcats next season.

The addition of Northwestern to the Huskies’ non-conference schedule for the 2014 season, along with the previously scheduled Arkansas Razorbacks, gives the Huskies a pretty solid non-conference schedule.

After what has turned out to be a harder non-conference schedule than anticipated, the Huskies have definitely stepped things up in the scheduling department.

“I am extremely excited to add Northwestern, a high-quality opponent, to our 2014 football non-conference schedule,” said Athletics Director Sean Frazier in a news release. “… I am continually evaluating our future football schedules, and the addition of this game is just the first announcement regarding concerted efforts to improve our football schedule, connect with our alumni base in the Chicago region, increase exposure for NIU and promote the NIU Huskies as a national brand.”

After the Huskies won their third consecutive MAC West title, their second straight MAC Championship and made it to the Orange Bowl last season, they made a great decision to continue expanding their brand — the next logical step for a team that just finds ways to win.

“We’re excited about the game,” said head coach Rod Carey in a news release. “I think it’s going to be great for our fans, for their fans, for the Chicagoland area. I just think that it’s a game that is real positive all the way around for us.”

The Huskies will have a chance to seriously beef up their resume with the increase of quality opponents in both Arkansas, a solid Southeastern Conference team, and Northwestern, a Big Ten team that continually improves. Although playing tough opponents at their home turf is more of a disadvantage than playing at Huskie Stadium, the Huskies have made some solid scheduling decisions that are sure to keep them in the national spotlight going forward.

“I’m pretty excited about [playing Northwestern next year],” said redshirt sophomore linebacker Boomer Mays in a news release. “Playing schools in the state and being around the Chicago area makes it that much more bigger, and it’s a big game we’re looking to.”

Don’t get me wrong: Arkansas and Northwestern are both solid programs, but they are no Alabama Crimson Tide or Oregon Ducks. However, this is a step in the right direction for an NIU football program that continues to garner accolades and is looking to step things up.