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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock shouts at redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (15) near the sideline after Holst committed an intentional grounding penalty in the fourth quarter of the Huskies’ road opener against the University of Maryland on Friday night at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland. Holst finished 14-of-22 passing for 91 yards and no touchdowns. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU win streak snapped by Terps in Friday night shortfall

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 6, 2025

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — It’s a dark, humid Friday night under the lights at SECU Stadium. The Mighty Sound of Maryland roars in triumph after a home victory in front of a crowd of 35,331. Inside a workroom nearby, NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock...

NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean Frazier looks away with his eyes closed during the first half of NIU football's Friday night matchup against the University of Maryland Terrapins in College Park, Maryland. The Huskies fell short against the Terps, losing by a score of 20-9. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Rapid Recap: Football falls short to Maryland on the road

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 5, 2025

Under Friday night lights, NIU football (1-0) fell short against the University of Maryland Terrapins (1-0), losing 20-9.  FIRST HALF Receiving the kickoff and beginning their drive at their own 10-yard line, Maryland got off to a sluggish start...

Maryland freshman quarterback Malik Washington (7) throws a pass during practice on Aug. 13 at the outdoor practice fields near Jones-Hill House in College Park, Maryland. Washington will make his second career start Friday against NIU. (Michael Howes | The Diamondback)

Behind Enemy Bylines: Malik Washington, Maryland pose tough test for NIU

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | September 4, 2025

Following a narrow, season-opening victory over the College of the Holy Cross on Saturday, NIU owns the third-longest active winning streak in the FBS at three games. The Huskies will try to extend that streak this week as they hit the road to face a...

NIU redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (15) points from the line of scrimmage during the first quarter of NIU's season opener against Holy Cross on Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Holst will make his fifth career start Friday, when the Huskies face the University of Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU sets sights on Big Ten clash with Maryland

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 4, 2025

DeKALB — Thursday marks 21 years since the last time NIU and Maryland met on the gridiron. On Sept. 4, 2004, the Huskies trailed the 22nd-ranked Terrapins 23-20 in College Park, Maryland, with one last chance left on offense and 2:04 left to play. Backup...

NIU redshirt senior running back Chavon Wright (10) falls into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown as he's brought down by The College of the Holy Cross junior linebacker Cam Santee (21) during the fourth quarter of NIU's season opener on Saturday at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. The score was the Huskies' first offensive touchdown of the 2025 season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU PFF grades: Veterans, transfers shine in nail-biter with Holy Cross

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 2, 2025

Each week during the college football season, the Northern Star will recap the most interesting NIU grades published by Pro Football Focus, a sports analytics company that evaluates every player on every play of every game. Season and single-game grades...

Senior cornerback Donte Harrison (7) reaches his arms to the sky to celebrate an incomplete pass in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter on Saturday against the College of the Holy Cross. NIU led the rushing game with 178 yards compared to Holy Cross’s 62, but fell behind in passing with 109 yards to 155. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: Football secures first win against Holy Cross

By Totus Tuus Keely, Assistant Photo Editor | September 1, 2025

 

NIU redshirt senior safety Muhammed Jammeh (4) celebrates after tackling College of the Holy Cross senior wide receiver Max Mosey (13) for no gain during the first quarter of NIU’s season opener on Saturday at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Jammeh recorded NIU’s only takeaway of the game with an interception off a tipped pass in the first quarter. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU survives season-opening scare by Holy Cross

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 30, 2025

DeKALB — For most of his tenure as NIU’s head football coach, Thomas Hammock didn’t enjoy wins. Not even Notre Dame. But after the Huskies’ latest victory, Hammock said he plans to appreciate them a lot more. NIU survived a season-opening scare...

NIU senior running back Chavon Wright (10) shakes off a defender while running for a 45-yard gain during the first quarter of NIU's season opener against College of the Holy Cross on Saturday at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. The run was the Huskies' longest of the game. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Rapid Recap: Huskies sneak out win over Holy Cross

By Northern Star Sports Staff | August 30, 2025

DeKALB — The Huskies earned their first win of the season on Saturday, defeating the Holy Cross Crusaders in a close 19-17 victory.  FIRST HALF NIU opened the game on offense. Over the game’s first possession, the Huskies completed a first down...

Cleveland Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (88) makes a touchdown catch past Los Angeles Rams safety Nate Valcarcel (43) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Former Huskies face new paths after NFL roster cuts

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 29, 2025

DeKALB — Each year, many NFL players are faced with the same harsh reality: They won’t live out their dream of playing on Sundays. Nearly 1,200 players are displaced by the league’s annual cutdown process as all 32 teams slash their rosters from...

NIU redshirt senior safety Muhammed Jammeh (4) and senior defensive end Roy Williams celebrate during practice on April 5 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Jammeh and Williams are listed as starters on NIU's defense heading to Saturday's season opener against Holy Cross. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football readies for season-opening clash with Crusaders

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 28, 2025

DeKALB — When NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock watched Holy Cross nearly pull off an upset at Boston College two years ago, he remembers thinking to himself, “Now, who would put Holy Cross on our schedule?” Just a week earlier, the Huskies...

NIU redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (15) throws a pass during practice on Aug. 13 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Holst will be NIU's starting quarterback in 2025 after starting three games last season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Football season predictions: Will NIU make good on storybook MAC ending?

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 28, 2025

As it prepares to close the book on its near-30-year run in the Mid-American Conference, the NIU football team has one departing wish: to stand atop the mountaintop of MACtion, one last time. After an intense overhaul to the roster and coaching staff,...

NIU redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (15) scans the field as head coach Thomas Hammock (left) looks on during the team's Spring Showcase on April 15 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Holst is a frontrunner to be the Huskies' starting quarterback in 2025 after starting three games last season. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Football ready to embark on MAC farewell tour

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 25, 2025

DeKALB — The long wait is almost over. Football season is upon us once again. Months after capping an 8-5 season with a thrilling double-overtime victory in Idaho, NIU football returns to the gridiron this week. The Huskies will kick off their 124th...

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