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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 Quarterback Ethan Hampton looks for an open pass during Saturday's game against the University of Tulsa. Tulsa defeated the Huskies by a final score of 22-14. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

COLUMN: NIU football has offensive quandary

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | September 29, 2023

Amidst the roaring enthusiasm of college football, NIU's offensive performance stands as a riddle wrapped in an enigma.  With an aura of uncertainty surrounding roster management, a cloud of doubt lingering over play calling decisions and a perplexing...

Junior libero Crew Hoffmeier (1) celebrates after a rally during NIU's home volleyball match against the University of Illinois Fighting Illini on Aug. 26 at the NIU Convocation Center. Hoffmeier is in her first season as NIU's starting libero and has produced dig averages that rank among the best in the MAC and the nation. (Courtesy NIU Athletics)

Hoffmeier igniting NIU’s fire

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 26, 2023

NIU junior libero Crew Hoffmeier has a reputation for bringing fire to a volleyball court, enough of it to energize her team and sometimes a bit left over to burn through her own shoelaces. When Hoffmeier goes to make a diving play on the court, the...

Graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann earned her first career honor after her performances against Bowling Green State University on Thursday and Friday. Erdmann recorded 17 kills in a 3-2 victory over the Falcons on Friday. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Erdmann collects Huskie of the Week after double double-doubles

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 25, 2023

DeKALB – A pair of double-double performances against Bowling Green State University have enabled NIU volleyball graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann to take home her first Huskie of the Week honor. The Forreston native was a key factor...

NIU offensive line sets against Tulsa defensive line during Saturday's game at the Huskie Stadium. On Saturday, the Huskies were defeated by Tulsa 22-14. (Cameron Whittington | Northern Star)

Quarterback carousel not enough in Huskies’ loss

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 23, 2023

DeKALB – A change at quarterback was not enough to get the Huskies offense rolling, as NIU football (1-3) fell to the University of Tulsa (2-2) 22-14 Saturday.  Saturday’s game was more of the same of what has been seen through the first three...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi hands the ball off to redshirt junior running back Gavin Williams in a 35-11 loss against the University of Nebraska. The Huskies travel to Central Michigan looking to stay ahead of the Chippewas in the MAC West standings. (Mark Kuhlmann | NIU Athletics)

Football eyes bounce-back victory against Tulsa

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 20, 2023

DeKALB – Coming off a 35-11 blowout loss at the University of Nebraska, NIU football (1-2) hosts the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-2) in its final game of non-conference play.  OFFENSE CONTINUES TO UNDERACHIEVE  The Huskies were out...

Junior libero Crew Hoffmeier's marvelous start to her NIU volleyball career helped her earn Huskie of the Week honors. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Hoffmeier’s sparkling start secures Huskie of the Week honors

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 18, 2023

DeKALB – Hours after being announced as the MAC West Defensive Player of the Week, junior libero Crew Hoffmeier was named the Northern Star’s Huskie of the Week after a dominant start to her NIU volleyball career. Hoffmeier recorded a team-high...

This week in Huskie sports graphic featuring various NIU sports in action from the fall season. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Football and volleyball headline week in Huskie sports

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 17, 2023

This Week in Huskie Sports: Sept. 18 to Sept. 24 DeKALB – NIU Athletics embarks on another busy week of sports, headlined by football’s return home and volleyball’s first conference action of the season. FOOTBALL Saturday, Sept. 23: vs. University...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi throwing a pass to a teammate against Boston College on Sep. 2. The Huskies defeated the Eagles 27-24 in overtime. (Gaelen Morse | NIU Athletics)

Offensive concerns persist, NIU loses big against Nebraska

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | September 16, 2023

DeKALB – Offensive woes persisted as NIU football (1-2) dropped its away matchup to the University of Nebraska (1-2) in a 35-11 blowout on Saturday. The Huskies' offensive struggles extended into Saturday’s game, as they scored just 11 points,...

Senior midfielder Eddie Knight recorded a hat-trick in men's soccer's 7-2 win over Aurora University Monday. Knight is now tied for the team lead in goals. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Hat-trick performance earns Knight Huskie of the week

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 11, 2023

DeKALB – Thanks to a hat-trick in NIU men’s soccer’s victory over Aurora University Monday, senior midfielder Eddie Knight earned Huskie of the week honors. Knight’s selection is the first of his career at NIU and marks men’s soccer’s first...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) looks to pass to senior wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz (8) on Saturday during the third quarter against Southern Illinois University on Saturday. The Huskies lost to Southern Illinois University 14-11. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Offense sputters as Huskies lose home opener

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 9, 2023

DeKALB – Points were a rarity as NIU football (1-1) dropped its home opener in a defensive slugfest to the Southern Illinois University Salukis (2-0) 14-11 Saturday.  Despite out-gaining the Salukis by 141 yards, picking up six more first downs...

Junior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic has recorded 52 kills in her last three matches and leads the Huskies in total kills with 96. Her weekend performance helped her secure her first Huskie of the Week honor.

Nedic’s prosperous weekend earns Huskie of the Week honors

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 4, 2023

DeKALB – After leading NIU volleyball to its first win of the season, junior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic earned the first Huskie of the Week honor of the 2023-2024 school year. Nedic was the focal point of the Huskie attack over the weekend, contributing...

Senior wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz celebrates the overtime touchdown scored by redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi. The Huskies defeated the Boston College Eagles 27-24 Saturday for their first win of the 2023 regular season. (Gaelen Morse | NIU Athletics)

Huskies down Eagles in overtime thriller

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 2, 2023

DeKALB – Thanks to a walk-off touchdown from redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi, NIU football (1-0) outlasted the Boston College Eagles (0-1) for a 27-24 win.  After the Huskies raced out to a 14-0 lead, the Eagles exploded for 14 fourth-quarter...