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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 junior running back Gavin Williams (21) runs with the ball looking to get past Western Michigans defense. The Huskies will participate in the Camellia Bowl after an up-and-down season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Looking back on football’s rocky season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | December 8, 2023

DeKALB – After rattling off five wins in its final seven games, NIU football (6-6, 5-3 MAC) is bowl-bound for the second time in the last three years. The Huskies will face Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl on Dec. 23 in search of their first bowl...

Then-NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch looks to make a pass downfield during the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2013. The Huskies have yet to win a bowl game in their last three tries. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Reviewing NIU football’s 3 most recent Bowl games

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | December 6, 2023

With the postseason destiny and the collegiate careers of 11 seniors hanging in the balance, NIU football (6-6, 5-3 MAC) triumphed in a 37-27 high-stakes clash over the Kent State University Golden Flashes on Nov. 25 to become bowl-eligible.  The...

Redshirt senior Tyler Jackson (0) holds the NIU flag as he leads the team onto the Huskie Stadium field on Oct. 21. The Huskies will take on Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl on Dec. 23. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football to compete in Camellia Bowl

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | December 4, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football (6-6, 5-3 MAC) will take on the Arkansas State University Red Wolves (6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt Conference) on Dec. 23 in Montgomery, Alabama, in the 10th annual Camellia Bowl.  "We are certainly excited about the opportunity to play...

NIU junior running back Antario Brown (1) fights to break tackles against three Ball State defenders during NIU footballs game on Nov. 7. Brown is among five players on NIU to receive All-MAC honors. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

5 Huskies named to All-MAC Teams

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | December 4, 2023

DeKALB – Highlighted by First Team All-MAC honorees, redshirt senior offensive lineman Nolan Potter and junior running back Antario Brown, five Huskies were named to All-MAC teams.  Senior defensive tackle James Ester and junior cornerback Javaughn...

A headshot of NIU Athletics Hall of Famer Mark Kellar. Kellar, a former NIU football fullback, ranks fourth in NIU history in rushing yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

NIU Athletics Hall of Famer Mark Kellar dies at 71

By Lucas Didier, Sports Reporter | November 30, 2023

Mark Kellar, legendary NIU fullback and 1973 NCAA rushing champion, died at the age of 71 on Tuesday in Minneapolis. The “Carpentersville Crusher,” named after his hometown, was elected to the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983. Kellar’s number...

A graphic shows NIU footballs junior Huskie Devin Lafayette (3), redshirt junior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph (85) and senior safety C.J. Brown (6). The mentioned Huskies have all announced their intentions to transfer following the 2023 season. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

3 Huskies enter transfer portal ahead of bowl game

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

DeKALB – NIU junior Huskie Devin Lafayette, redshirt junior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph and senior safety C.J. Brown have entered the transfer portal.  Lafayette was the first domino to fall, announcing his decision to transfer Monday. Rudolph...

Junior defensive end Ray Thomas rushes the Toledo offensive line in NIU footballs game against Toledo on Sept. 30. Thomas received the MAC West defensive Player of the Week award for his 10 tackles against Kent State on Saturday. (Scott Grau | Kent State Athletics)

Thomas’ 10 tackles earns MAC West Defensive Player of the Week

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 27, 2023

DeKALB – Junior defensive end Raishein Thomas earned MAC West Defensive Player of the Week in NIU football’s (6-6, 5-3 MAC) 37-27 win Saturday over Kent State University. Thomas led the Huskies with 10 tackles Saturday – including a career high...

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Dane Pardridge runs up the field during NIU football win over Western Michigan on Nov. 14. The Huskies earned bowl eligibility in Saturdays win over Kent State. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football escapes Kent, clinches Bowl eligibility

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | November 25, 2023

DeKALB – A triumphant 37-27 victory over Kent State University (1-11, 0-8 MAC) on Saturday catapulted NIU football (6-6, 5-3 MAC) into postseason eligibility after missing out last year. NIU is bowl-bound for the 15th time in school history and...

Junior running back Antario Brown rushes the ball during NIU footballs 24-0 win over Western Michigan on Nov. 14. The Huskies enter the final game of the season needing a win to be bowl eligible. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Bowl game within reach ahead of final football game

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 24, 2023

DeKALB – Following a convincing 24-0 win over Western Michigan University on senior night last week, NIU football (5-6, 4-3 MAC) will take on the Kent State University Golden Flashes (1-10, 0-7 MAC) Saturday in search of their sixth and final win needed...

A headshot shows redshirt freshman wide receiver Dane Pardridge. Pardridge was named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a punt 55 yards for a touchdown in NIU footballs 24-0 victory over Western Michigan University on Tuesday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Pardridge earns football’s fifth MAC West Player of the Week Honor

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 21, 2023

DeKALB – Redshirt freshman wide receiver Dane Pardridge earned MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in NIU football’s (5-6, 4-3) 24-0 win Tuesday over Western Michigan University. Pardridge returned just one punt in Tuesday’s...

Redshirt freshman Dane Pardridge returns a punt from Western Michigan University on Tuesday. NIU football defeated the Broncos 24-0 to win its fifth game of the year. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies shut out Broncos in statement win

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 15, 2023

DeKALB – After a crushing 20-17 loss to Ball State University last week, NIU football (5-6, 4-3 MAC) bounced back on senior night at Huskie Stadium, cruising past the Western Michigan University Broncos (4-7, 3-4 MAC) 24-0 Tuesday. NIU dominated...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass in an NIU football home game against Ball State University on Tuesday. The Huskies are set to defend home field on Tuesday against Western Michigan University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football set for final home game of the season

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

DeKALB – After dropping a 20-17 heartbreaker as time expired to Ball State University last week, NIU football (4-6, 3-3 MAC) will host Western Michigan University (4-6, 3-3 MAC) in its final home game of the 2023 season.  NIU has fallen on hard...