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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization 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 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 Hoffmeiers 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, Sports Reporter | September 17, 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 mens soccers 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...

Legendary radio broadcaster Bill Baker is set to retire after NIU footballs 2023 season. Baker has called games for the Huskies for 44 years. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Bill Baker to bid adieu to NIU

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | August 30, 2023

It’s Sept. 5, 1980 in Anaheim, California. NIU football opens its season at Long Beach State University at Anaheim Stadium. NIU flanker Mike Pinckney receives the game’s opening kickoff. Ninety-seven yards later, he crosses the goal line to give the...

Graduate student outside hitter Katie Erdmann, junior libero Crew Hoffmeier, junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo, sophomore defensive specialist Olivia Hogan, junior defensive specialist Jada Cerniglia and senior setter Ella Mihacevich celebrate after a rally during Friday’s season-opening match against Chicago State University at the NIU Convocation Center. The Huskies were defeated 3-2. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball eyes success under new leadership

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | August 29, 2023

The new age of NIU volleyball begins with an abundance of ‘news’: new coaches, new players, new jerseys, new foes and even a new live mascot. With three matches under their belt, the 2023 Huskies have entered the thick of a regular season that...

Freshman defenseman Jim Franklin lines up for a face off during NIU hockeys inter squad scrimmage on Aug. 18. NIU hockeys first game is on Sept. 15 against Kent State University. (Photo courtesy of NIU hockey)

Hockey’s new Huskies aim for culture shift

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | August 28, 2023

DeKALB – There were no signs of NIU hockey’s disappointing four-win 2022-2023, with smiles all around Canlan Ice Sports during the team’s training camp from Aug. 14-18. Head coach Brad Stoffers had a busy summer of recruiting players to help...

NIU junior middle blocker Charli Atiemo spikes the ball over the net during Saturdays matchup against University of Illinois. The Huskies dropped the match by a set score of 3-1. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball dazed in rematch with Cougars

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | August 27, 2023

DeKALB – Seeking its first win and a bit of vengeance, NIU volleyball was forcefully rebuffed by a familiar foe and remains winless to start 2023. The winless Huskies were plagued by the offensive onslaught dealt by visiting Chicago State University...