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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

Then-junior wide receiver Kenny Golladay dives into the endzone for a touchdown on Saturday against Ball State. Golladay leads all Huskies in receiving, catching 34 passes for 529 yards and three touchdowns. (Northern Star File Photo)

Two former Huskies survive NFL roster cuts

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | August 30, 2022

DeKALB — NIU’s presence in the National Football League continues to dwindle after Tuesday’s wave of roster cuts left two former Huskies standing on NFL rosters. San Francisco 49ers free safety Jimmie Ward and New York Giants wide receiver Kenny...

Then-COVID-freshman wide reciever Trayvon Rudolph rushes past defenders on his way to a 75-yard touchdown run in NIUs 33-27 victory over Buffalo on Nov. 17. Rudolph led all NIU receivers in 2021 with 51 receptions for 892 receiving yards.

NIU leading receiver Trayvon Rudolph out for 2022

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | August 14, 2022

DeKALB — NIU will be without its top receiving threat this season after sophomore wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph sustained a season-ending non-contact knee injury during preseason practices last week. News of Rudolph's injury was first reported Friday...

Historically Black Colleges and Universities have been less likely to receive as much attention from NFL scouts compared to school in more well-known leagues.

Deion Sanders’ recruiting brings more NFL eyes to HBCUs

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | April 19, 2022

Jackson State University’s head coach Deion Sanders is looking to change the culture in Historically Black Colleges and Universities football by solving the issue of NFL teams not looking to scout players from HBCUs.  HBCU athletes have been overlooked...

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jeffery Lomax scores on a run toward the left side from three yards out during NIU’s spring game Saturday morning. (Alex Pyevich/Northern Star)

Huskies showcased at spring football game

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | April 17, 2022

DeKALB — NIU football’s spring practice schedule came to end at Saturday’s spring showcase at Huskie Stadium. NIU held 7-on-7 and full team drills in front of a crowd of approximately 1,000 fans for their final practice before summer. New year,...

Redshirt senior running back Clint Ratkovich runs down the field during NIUs game on Sept. 11 at Huskie Stadium against Wyoming.

Standout Huskie Ratkovich should be drafted to NFL

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | April 7, 2022

Redshirt senior running back Clint Ratkovich has made a strong case to have his name called in this month’s NFL Draft after a lone season in NIU’s offensive backfield.  The “superback” out of Crete is widely considered to be a fullback despite...

Nick Benedetto is a co-defensive coordinator for the NIU football team.

New football coach hire looks to strengthen Huskie defense

By Noah Silver, Sports Reporter | April 1, 2022

Bend, don’t break. Defense wins championships. These mottos have been spoken for ages. Defense is an integral part of football, and having success coaching it can be difficult. This responsibility seems to have worked out well so far for newly hired...

Redshirt senior running back Clint Ratkovich practices on Aug. 20 at Huskies Stadium.

NIU football players participate in Pro Day

By Waleed Alamleh, Sports Reporter | March 31, 2022

DeKALB– The NIU football team held its Huskies’ 2022 Pro Day, Wednesday afternoon at the Northwestern Medicine Performance Center and the Chessick Practice Center. The Huskies had four players, running back Clint Ratkovich, linebacker Lance Deveaux,...

Head coach Thomas Hammock addresses the team during Spring football practice.

Football sets offseason goals for spring practice schedule

By Jordan Radloff and Michael Stoll | March 28, 2022

DeKALB— The NIU football team kicked off spring practice Wednesday. The Huskies have set high goals for the offseason after claiming the Mid-American Conference and will focus on certain areas of training in their roster prior to the Fall 2022 season. “I...

Junior quarterback Rocky  Lombardi winds up to throw a pass in NIUs 41-23 victory over Kent State in the MAC Championship Game on Dec. 4 in Detroit. (Wes Sanderson | Northern Star)

Football releases 2022 schedule

By Michael Stoll, Sports Reporter | February 25, 2022

DeKALB— The Huskies will look to defend the Mid-American Championship with a schedule that features two non-conference bouts with the Southeastern Conference and one with American Athletic Conference, as the 2022 football schedule was revealed Friday.  NIU...

Kayden Wacker-Gray (right) poses with his mother Lacey Wacker-Gray from the sidelines of the Tailgreeter Cure Bowl in Orlando, Florida in December.

NIU football builds bond with Rockford teen

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | February 25, 2022
Kayden Wacker-Gray might not be old enough to suit-up for NIU football, but the 14-year-old has become a member of the Huskie pack regardless.
Freshman running back Jay Ducker carries the ball during the first half of NIUs 34-26 victory against the Bowling Green Falcons, Saturday in Dekalb.

Jay Ducker, Dillon Thomas to transfer from NIU

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | December 21, 2021

DeKALB — NIU football lost two more players to the NCAA transfer portal following its 2021 campaign that ended in a Mid-American Conference title. COVID-freshman running back Jay Ducker and redshirt junior defensive back Dillon Thomas have entered...

Northern Illinois running back Jay Ducker (8) runs the ball against Coastal Carolina during the Cure Bowl NCAA college football game in Orlando, Fla., Friday, Dec. 17, 2021.

Clock hits zero on Huskies bowl win hopes

By James Krause | December 17, 2021

ORLANDO — This year’s Tailgreeter Cure Bowl proved football isn’t just a game of inches, it’s a game of seconds. After a first down conversion inside their opponents five-yard line, two seconds remaining was not enough time for the Huskies...