On Oct. 17, 1998, an ecstatic mob ripped the Huskie Stadium goal posts from the field when NIU ended its 23-game losing streak.

It was arguably the biggest NIU football game ever – at least for the fans. For those goal posts, it was their last. Alcohol-fueled pallbearers marched them to the East Lagoon.

Following Thursday night’s thriller, perhaps the most important game in NIU football, the current goal posts stood tall and undamaged.

Those goal posts can thank, in part, NIU police for keeping any bloodthirsty mob off of its backs.

University Police Lt. Matthew Kiederlen said the fans were not terribly threatening.

“They were respectful that athletics needs to keep them off of the field,” Kiederlen said. “We’re quite proud of how our fans acted. One individual from the crowd did end up on the field but was escorted off without incident.”

The biggest challenge for police was directing the area’s chaotic traffic. Police stood at key intersections and manually controlled stoplights. Police and security personnel were at the game and around campus to maintain order. In all, about 60 NIU personnel were assigned to game-related security.

“After the game, people left pretty orderly,” Kiederlen said. “We had most of the lots cleared within 45 minutes.”

NIU police did not report any major incidents stemming from the celebration.