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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

The NIU offense and the University of Massachusetts defense line up at the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of the Huskies’ 34-20 win against the Minutemen on Saturday at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. NIU’s victory boosted it to a 3-1 non-conference record, its best finish against non-league opponents since 2014. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Football heads to Bowling Green for MAC road opener

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 10, 2024

DeKALB – Looking to keep rolling after a much-needed home win, NIU football (3-2, 0-1 MAC) resumes Mid-American Conference play with its first road trip to Bowling Green State University (2-3, 1-0 MAC) since 2017. NIU finished its non-conference...

A graphic shows redshirt freshman running back Jaylen Poe as Huskie of the Week. Poe rushed for 2 touchdowns and had an 89-yard kick return in NIU football's 34-20 victory over the University of Massachusetts on Saturday. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Two rushing touchdowns earn Poe HOTW

By Northern Star Sports Staff | October 7, 2024

After rushing for 2 touchdowns during NIU football’s 34-20 victory on Saturday against the University of Massachusetts, redshirt freshman Jaylen Poe was awarded his first career HOTW. Replacing senior starting running back Antario Brown late in the...

Multiple NIU players surround University of Massachusetts freshman running back Da'Marion Alberic after he was tackled by senior linebacker Jaden Dolphin short of the line of scrimmage. NIU defeated UMass 34-20 at Huskie Stadium on Saturday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

No Brown, no problem: NIU runs over UMass in home triumph

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 5, 2024

DeKALB – A tone-setting touchdown 50 seconds into regulation and a 367-yard rushing performance by NIU – despite being without its top running back for most of the game – played vital Saturday as the Huskies breezed past the University of Massachusetts...

University of Massachusetts sophomore running back CJ Hester (33) rushes for a 2-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of UMass' 28-14 loss to Eastern Michigan University on Aug. 31 at McGuirk Alumni Stadium in Amherst, Massachusetts. Massachusetts Daily Collegian Head Sports Editor Dean Wendel highlights Hester as a UMass player to watch in Saturday's game against NIU at Huskie Stadium. (Devin Lippman | Massachusetts Daily Collegian)

Behind enemy bylines: Massachusetts

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

In the midst of a two-game slump, NIU football is back home this weekend to host the University of Massachusetts for the final game of the Huskies’ non-conference schedule. NIU enters Saturday with a sluggish offense and one of the best defenses in...

NIU senior linebacker Jaden Dolphin (26) and redshirt junior defensive end Pierce Oppong (99) force a fumble by North Carolina State University freshman quarterback CJ Bailey (16) on NC State’s opening possession in Saturday’s game at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Huskies lost the turnover battle by four after losing two fumbles and tossing two interceptions. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU looks to end losing skid in home clash with UMass

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 3, 2024

DeKALB – After dropping a tight-fought contest with North Carolina State University, NIU football remains hungry for a win as the Huskies prepare to host a future Mid-American Conference cohort Saturday to close out the non-conference schedule. NIU...

A graphic shows NIU student-athletes from various sports with arrows pointing up and down. Sports Editor Lucas Didier summarized the best and worst moments for Huskie sports in September. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Highs and lows for Huskie sports in September

By Lucas Didier, Former Sports Editor | October 2, 2024

After the first full month of collegiate athletics, the Huskies have put fans through a range of emotions. From historic performances to embarrassing shortcomings, these are the most exciting and dejecting incidents from the last month of NIU Athletics. HIGH:...

Senior Felix Krammer watches his drive on his follow-through. Krammer finished tied for second place as NIU men's golf captured first place at the Badger Invitational on Tuesday in Madison, Wisconsin. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

NIU men’s golf victorious at Badger Invitational

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | October 1, 2024

NIU men’s golf took first place at the Badger Invitational in a field of 16 teams. Senior Felix Krammer keyed the charge, finishing tied for second place.  “We outperformed our expectations going into the event, which is always a coach's dream,”...

A graphic shows senior golfer Felix Krammer as Huskie of the Week. Krammer matched NIU's 18-hole scoring record Yesterday, posting a score of 64 in the first round of the Badger Invitational. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Krammer earns first career HOTW

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 30, 2024

NIU men’s golf senior Felix Krammer was awarded his first career Huskie of the Week award after dazzling in the first round of the Badger Invitational on Sunday.  Krammer had a career day, accounting for 64 strokes across the first round. His score...

NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) is tackled by North Carolina State University graduate student defensive end Davin Vann (1) after rushing for a 9-yard gain on the final drive of NIU’s 24-17 loss Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. Hampton finished the game with nine carries for a loss of 19 yards. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Turnovers plague NIU in shortfall at NC State

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 28, 2024

RALEIGH, N.C. – Despite outperforming Power Four foe North Carolina State University in nearly every offensive metric, NIU football dropped to .500 Saturday after coughing up four turnovers. NIU (2-2, 0-1 MAC) lost the turnover battle by four as...

North Carolina State University then-freshman wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion (10) stiff arms Marshall University then-junior defensive back Josh Moten during the second quarter of NC State’s 48-41 victory on Oct. 7, 2023, at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. Concepcion finished his freshman season with 71 catches for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. (Hallie Walker | Technician)

Behind enemy bylines: North Carolina State

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

Looking to bounce back after a home loss to the University at Buffalo, NIU football will head to Raleigh, North Carolina, to face Atlantic Coast Conference foe North Carolina State University at Carter-Finley Stadium. In addition to rebounding from...

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams gets ready to throw a football before a game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sports Reporter James Bennett believes that Williams still has potential to be successful in the NFL after a slow start in 2024. (Michael Conroy | AP Photo)

COLUMN: Caleb Williams still has hope

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | September 26, 2024

We are three games into the 2024 NFL season. Sam Darnold looks like an MVP candidate, Andy Dalton has given the Carolina Panthers life and Derek Carr and Baker Mayfield are tied for 3rd in passing touchdowns.  Needless to say, it’s been a weird...

Recently-retired NIU head gymnastics coach Sam Morreale walks on the floor during a gymnastics meet. The school announced Morreale’s retirement Thursday after a 13-year head coaching tenure with the program. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Gymnastics head coach Sam Morreale retires after 22 years at NIU

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 26, 2024

DeKALB – NIU head gymnastics coach Sam Morreale has retired after 13 years at the helm of the program and 22 years on the team’s staff, NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier announced in an NIU Athletics news release...