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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

Then-sophomore running back Antario Brown rushes down the left side of the field on a 35-yard touchdown run on Sept. 1, 2022 (Ivan Meza | Northern Star)

Healthier Huskies ready to battle Eagles

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | August 31, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football opens its 2023 season against the Boston College Eagles, the Huskies’ first ACC opponent since their 37-19 loss against Florida State University in 2018.  NEW LOOK EAGLES The Eagles are coming off a 3-9 record last year,...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi evades Tulsa graduate linebacker Grant Sawyer duing a pass attempt in the first half of September 1st 2022 matchup. Lombardi led the Huskie scoring with three touchdowns through the air.

Complementary football vital to Huskies’ 2023 turnaround

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | August 30, 2023

DeKALB – Coming off a disappointing 3-9 record in 2022, NIU football looks to bounce back this season from its last place finish in the Mid-American Conference West.  “A facet of the game I’m looking to improve upon is our ability to play complimentary...

Then-redshirt senior Cole Tucker walks in the endzone after missing a pass from freshman quarterback Nevan Cremascoli near the end of the first quarter. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

Cole Tucker drafted 4th overall in CFL

By Ethan Gonzales, Former Sports Editor | May 4, 2023

DeKALB – Former NIU football wide receiver Cole Tucker was selected as the fourth overall pick by the Calgary Stampeders at the 2023 Canadian Football League Draft.  Tucker was the first wide receiver chosen in the CFL Draft and is the first Huskie...

Wide receivers Kacper Rutkiewicz (Left) and Cole Tucker running the ball after receiving the ball in the second half of Saturday's game. (Marco Sotelo Avila | Northern Star)

Tucker, Green-May headed to NFL camps

By Daija Hammonds, Managing Editor | May 1, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football announced former players Cole Tucker and Izayah Green-May have been invited to NFL camps Monday.  Tucker will be headed to the Minnesota Vikings’ training camp after playing in a Huskie uniform for five seasons.  The...

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)

Defensive emphasis headlines spring football showcase

By Joseph Segreti and Zack Rodriguez | April 22, 2023

DeKALB – Fans got an early look at NIU football during their annual spring football showcase, held at Huskie Stadium, that featured a live scrimmage and various drills.  Redshirt sophomore quarterback Ethan Hampton will be backing up redshirt senior...

DJ Bland was announced as NIU football's cornerback coach on Thursday. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)

NIU football adds Bland to coaching staff

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | April 13, 2023

DeKALB – Former Eastern Illinois University defensive back and assistant coach DJ Bland has joined NIU’ football’s coaching staff as a cornerback coach, according to head coach Thomas Hammock. Coach Bland spent the 2022 season at EIU, serving...

NIU redshirt sophomore defensive tackle James Ester and sophomore linebacker Daveren Rayner bring down Vanderbilt University freshman quarterback A.J. Swann for a sack in the third quarter of a game on Sept. 17 at Huskie Stadium. The Vanderbilt Commodores completed a comeback to beat NIU 38-28. (Marco Sotelo Avila | Northern Star)

Football kicks off spring practices

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | March 27, 2023

DeKALB – The NIU football team wrapped up its first week of spring drills with a full pad practice Sunday at the Chessick Practice Center.  NIU’s defensive line group, consisting of senior defensive lineman James Ester and junior defensive end...

Football adds Eubanks, White to round out coaching staff

By Adrien De La Peña, Sports Reporter | March 11, 2023

DeKALB – NIU head coach Thomas Hammock completed his coaching staff with the additions of Darius Eubanks and Cory White to the NIU football coaching staff, Hammock announced Friday.  Eubanks joins the Huskies after coaching college football the...

NIU redshirt senior tight end Liam Soraghan turns upfield after catching a pass from freshman quarterback Nevan Cremascoli in the first quarter of the Huskies' Nov. 16 football game against the Miami University RedHawks. NIU Football has announced multiple additions to it's lineup for the upcoming season. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

NIU football releases full 2023 schedule

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | March 1, 2023

DeKALB – The Mid-American Conference has released NIU football’s 2023 schedule, featuring their homecoming opponent, the Ohio University Bobcats.  The Huskies’ first four games on the schedule all feature opponents outside of the MAC. NIU will...

Then-redshirt senior wide receiver Cole Tucker runs on the field during the second half of NIU's 115th homecoming game against the University of Toledo Rockets on Oct. 8 at Huskie Stadium. Tucker played his final game at NIU on Nov. 26, becoming the eighth player in NIU history to reach 2,000 receiving yards on his career. (Northern Star File Photo)

Cole Tucker added to CFL draft

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | February 26, 2023

DeKALB – Former NIU wide receiver Cole Tucker has been added to the Canadian Football League Draft class for 2023 after his NIU football career conclusion. Tucker spent five seasons in DeKalb wearing the Huskie football uniform. Throughout his time...

NIU redshirt senior tight end Liam Soraghan turns upfield after catching a pass from freshman quarterback Nevan Cremascoli in the first quarter of the Huskies' Nov. 16 football game against the Miami University RedHawks. NIU Football has announced multiple additions to it's lineup for the upcoming season. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

NIU football announces nine signings for 2023 season

By Jermel Williams, Sports Reporter | February 3, 2023

DeKALB– The first day of February signing for NIU football concluded with nine new roster signings with six of the players being from Illinois.  The six Illinois recruits include freshman tight end Tyler Gaines from Rockford, freshman running back...

NIU has added Wesley Beschorner (left) and Adam Breske to NIU's coaching staff.

NIU adds Beschorner, Breske to coaching staff

By Northern Star Sports Staff | January 31, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock announced Tuesday that NIU has added Wesley Beschorner and Adam Breske to its coaching staff. Beschorner will coach NIU’s running backs and serve as the passing game coordinator. Beske will coach...