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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya wraps around Rider University graduate student McKenzie Bell from behind on Nov. 22 at the Convocation Center. Brya took third place in the 141 lbs. division at the Cougar Clash on Saturday as NIU wrestling took fifth place out of eight teams. (Northern Star File Photo)

Wrestling meets mixed results in Cougar Clash

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | December 8, 2024

NIU wrestling took the trip to Edwardsville for the Cougar Clash on Saturday. The Huskies mustered two podium finishes on the day and placed fifth as a team with 88 total points.  PODIUM FINISHERS At 125 lbs, Huskies’ redshirt junior Blake West...

NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock (left) hypes up his players before they run onto the field for a game against the University at Buffalo on Sept. 21 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Hammock added 19 freshmen and two transfers to NIU’s 2025 signing class on the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period Wednesday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU inks 18 freshmen, 2 transfers on National Signing Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 4, 2024

DeKALB – As NIU waits to learn its bowl game destination, head coach Thomas Hammock built for his team’s future by signing 18 freshmen and two transfers on the first day of the early signing period Wednesday. The 2025 recruiting class – Hammock’s...

Sophomore guard Kailon Nicholls (5) cuts around Benedictine University junior guard Brandon McCoy (1) and charges towards the basket on Tuesday at the Convocation Center. Nicholls finished with a career-high 14 points as NIU men's basketball defeated Benedictine 89-70 on Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball cruises past Benedictine, ends losing streak

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | December 3, 2024

DeKALB – NIU men’s basketball (3-6) soundly defeated the Benedictine University Eagles (1-6) by a score of 89-70 as multiple Huskies reached career highs in points. The win snaps a five-game losing streak. “Good opportunity to get back on the...

A graphic shows NIU football senior cornerback Javaughn Byrd pictured as this week’s Huskie of the Week. Byrd allowed 5 catches for 37 yards in NIU's 24-16 victory Saturday against Central Michigan University. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

Byrd achieves first career Huskie of the Week Award

By Northern Star Sports Staff | December 2, 2024

NIU football (7-5, 4-4 MAC) senior cornerback JaVaughn Byrd earned this week’s Huskie of the Week Award after contributing to the Huskies’ 24-16 victory over the Central Michigan University Chippewas (4-8, 2-6 MAC) on Saturday.  Early in the second...

NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) attempts a pass during an overtime loss to the University at Buffalo on Sept. 21 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Hampton announced Sunday that he intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens Dec. 9. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

BREAKING: NIU starting quarterback Ethan Hampton to enter transfer portal

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 1, 2024

DeKALB –  NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton announced on social media Sunday that he plans to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, ending an up-and-down career with the Huskies. The news comes one day after...

Senior defensive back Jashon Prophete (1) holds a bone in the air in front of his teammates after NIU football's 24-16 win against the Central Michigan University Chippewas on Saturday. The Huskies celebrated senior night during their final game of the regular season on Saturday and celebrated 30 seniors, 20 of which have spent their whole college career at NIU. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU thwarts Central Michigan, freezing temps on Senior Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 1, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU football team overcame below freezing temperatures Saturday night at Huskie Stadium to defeat Central Michigan University 24-16 and send its 30 graduating seniors off with one final victory at home. The Huskies (7-5, 4-4 MAC) rushed...

NIU senior defensive tackle Devonte O’Malley (8) and redshirt senior tight end Tristen Tewes (82) wield flags as they lead the Huskies onto the field before kickoff of NIU’s 29-16 win against the University of Akron on Nov. 13 at Huskie Stadium. O’Malley and Tewes will be among the 30 seniors honored before Saturday’s home finale against Central Michigan University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU seeks strong home finish in Senior Day clash

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 27, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU football team will close out the regular season Saturday against longtime foe Central Michigan University as the largest senior class in team history prepares to play in front of the home crowd one last time. Fresh off a 20-9 loss...

Junior guard Alecia Doyle (22) tries to gain separation while graduate student forward Brooke Stonebraker (34) stands open on Nov. 6 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Doyle and Stonebraker each scored 17 points in a 67-60 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sunday. (Joseph Segreti | Northern Star)

Stonebraker, Doyle lead win over Milwaukee

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | November 24, 2024

NIU women’s basketball (3-2) took down the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2-5) by a score of 67-60 on Sunday for the Huskies first road win over the Panthers since 1995. The Huskies shot 46% from the field on the day while going 8-for-18 from...

Redshirt junior Jacob Christensen lifts Rider University freshman Collin French off the mat to slam him back down on Friday at the Convocation Center. Christensen won the final match to seal a 20-19 victory for NIU wrestling over the Broncs. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Huskies come alive late to spur Broncs

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | November 23, 2024

NIU wrestling (1-1) trumped the Rider University Broncs (0-2) in their second meet of the season Friday night, winning the dual 20-19. EBBS AND FLOWS The Huskies would storm ahead early going up 11-0. This included an 8-0 major decision at 125 lbs...

Miami University redshirt sophomore wide receiver Javon Tracy (11) runs after the catch as NIU redshirt freshman safety Santana Banner (15) approaches to make a tackle during Tuesday night’s Mallory Cup rivalry game at Fred C. Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio. Banner was ejected from the game for targeting near the end of the second quarter as the Huskies suffered their fourth consecutive loss to the RedHawks. (Courtesy of Miami Athletics)

Huskies stifled by RedHawks in rivalry loss at Miami (Ohio)

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 20, 2024

NIU football struggled in every phase of the game Tuesday night as the Huskies fell short against the Miami University RedHawks in a 20-9 loss at Fred C. Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio. With the loss, NIU failed to earn their first claim of the Mallory...

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman James Ester (65) stands at the line of scrimmage during the Packers’ preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 24 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ester is midway through his rookie season in the NFL after being signed by the Packers as a undrafted free agent in April. (Evan Siegle | Green Bay Packers)

James Ester learning lessons in first pro season

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 19, 2024

It was only a year ago when James Ester was regularly tearing through opposing offensive lines as the leading man on NIU’s defense. His veteran experience made him a respected voice in the Huskies’ locker room.  Now, Ester is back to being the...

A graphic shows NIU football redshirt senior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph pictured as this week’s Huskie of the Week. Rudolph logged a passing and rushing touchdown Wednesday in NIU's 29-16 win over the University of Akron. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

Rudolph snatches Huskie of the Week Award

By Northern Star Sports Staff | November 18, 2024

NIU football redshirt senior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph earned this week’s Huskie of the Week Award following a 2-touchdown performance Wednesday in NIU’s 29-16 victory over the University of Akron Zips.  Despite finishing fourth on the team...