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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 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...

University of Tulsa special teams unit pushes against NIU punt cover during Saturday games. Tulsa beat the Huskies 22-14. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Football begins MAC play against defending champs

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 28, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football (1-3) has an opportunity for a fresh start Saturday against the University of Toledo Rockets (3-1, 1-0 MAC) in the Huskies’ first conference game of the 2023 season.  The Huskies lost their third consecutive game on Saturday...

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...

Quarterback Ethan Hampton looks for an open receiver to pass to during a play in the second quarter of the Huskies matchup against the Rockets on Sept. 30, 2022 at Huskie Stadium. (Marco Sotelo Avila | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Run game and defense issues remain

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 18, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football (1-2) was a step slow in all three facets of the game in its 35-11 loss against the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers (1-2) Saturday. The Huskies offense was the most glaring issue, totaling just 149 scrimmage yards. The defense...

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,...

Cornerback Jacob Finley (20) and safety CJ Brown (6) go in for a tackle on Southern Illinois University wide receiver Izaiah Hartrup (5) during the second quarter on Saturday. ( Nyla Owens | Northern Star )

Huskies seek retribution in road matchup

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | September 14, 2023

DeKALB – After suffering a 14-11 upset in Saturday’s home opener against Southern Illinois University, NIU football (1-1) is ready to hit the road, gearing up for a showdown against the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (0-2). Despite amassing over...

Senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) make a quick handoff to junior Trayvon Rudolph (85) to make a complete play on Saturday. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

2023 MAC football set for competitive bloodbath

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 13, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football plays eight conference games in 2023 against its MAC foes and look to improve upon their 2-6 conference record from a season ago.  NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY An injury-riddled 2022 season hit the Huskies hard as the 2021...

COLUMN: Discipline, poor offense catalyze home-opening loss

COLUMN: Discipline, poor offense catalyze home-opening loss

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 12, 2023

After beginning the season 1-0 with a road victory over the Boston College Eagles, NIU football (1-1) came up short in its home opener, falling to the Southern Illinois University Salukis (2-0) 14-11. In order to bounce back with a win on Saturday...

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...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi searching for a target against Boston College on Sept. 2. The Huskies defeated the Eagles in overtime 27-24. (Gaelen Morse | NIU Athletics)

Huskies set to battle Southern rival in home opener

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 7, 2023

DeKALB – On the heels of a road overtime victory against the Boston College Eagles in week one, NIU football (1-0) hosts the Southern Illinois University Salukis (1-0) in the 2023 home opener.  Despite never trailing in regulation in week one, the...

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...