The NIU football team should beat Tennessee Tech University by a wide margin Saturday at Huskie Stadium in the home opener. That much is known.

How fans will behave is not known. The Northern Star would like to think NIU’s fans will be a model of good behavior, but alcohol, college kids and large men trying to knock one another’s heads off can be a ignitable combination.

When Huskie fans are at their best it can provide a decided advantage for our gridiron heroes. The Huskies have lost only four games at home the last four years. Star running back Garrett Wolfe said Huskie Stadium, with an official capacity is 28,000, is just as loud as Michigan State University’s stadium, the Big House, which holds more than 107,000 people.

Fans at the Big House Saturday gave NIU fans an example of what not to do when things go against the home team. After two instant-replay calls went against Michigan, fans started to throw cups and other debris onto the field. That’s not the best way to represent your university and your football team. Sure, it’s fine to be loud and rowdy, but there’s a problem when the football field becomes a landfill.

All this talk about fan behavior takes on even more importance considering how prominent NIU’s football team, and in direct relation, NIU, have become the last few seasons. The Huskies are far removed from the 23-game losing streak that ended in 1998. They defeated three Bowl Championship Series teams in 2003 and won their first bowl in 21 years last season.

With this success has come recognition and exposure. The Huskies play two games this year at Huskie Stadium that will be broadcast live across the nation on ESPN2. Nine of NIU’s games this season will be on television. This school used to only get airtime if it broke a 23-game losing streak or members of the defense ran through a drum and bugle corps practice.

Times have changed, and it’s time to show opposing teams and the rest of this country what playing games at Huskie Stadium is all about.

Be loud. Get in the heads of opposing players. Have a good time. Just keep a level head.

Agree? Diagree? Contact us at

www.northernstar.info.