Skip to Main Content

Northern Star

 

Advertisement

 

 
Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

Ensure student journalism survives. Donate today.

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU sophomore guard Kailon Nicholls (5) resists defense from Elon University redshirt sophomore guard Andrew King during the second half of the Huskies' 75-48 loss to the Phoenix on Wednesday night inside the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The loss was the Huskies' first defeat at home of the 2024-25 campaign. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

‘Utter embarrassment:’ Huskies trounced by Elon in lousy shooting night

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 21, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU men’s basketball team suffered its first home loss of the season Wednesday night after posting its worst shooting performance in two years in a 75-48 shortfall against Elon University at the Convocation Center. The Huskies (2-3)...

Miami University redshirt sophomore wide receiver Javon Tracy (11) runs after the catch as NIU redshirt freshman safety Santana Banner (15) approaches to make a tackle during Tuesday night’s Mallory Cup rivalry game at Fred C. Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio. Banner was ejected from the game for targeting near the end of the second quarter as the Huskies suffered their fourth consecutive loss to the RedHawks. (Courtesy of Miami Athletics)

Huskies stifled by RedHawks in rivalry loss at Miami (Ohio)

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 20, 2024

NIU football struggled in every phase of the game Tuesday night as the Huskies fell short against the Miami University RedHawks in a 20-9 loss at Fred C. Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio. With the loss, NIU failed to earn their first claim of the Mallory...

NIU men's golf head coach John Carlson eyes down an NIU golfer's shot. After wrapping up the fall season on Oct. 27, Carlson announced the signing of three recruits for the 2025 season on Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Men’s golf signs three for 2025 recruiting class

By Northern Star Sports Staff | November 19, 2024

NIU men’s golf head coach John Carlson announced the signing of three decorated recruits for the fall 2025 season.  “They're (NIU’s three recruits) champions at the junior level,” Carlson said. “All three of them possess the ability to step...

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman James Ester (65) stands at the line of scrimmage during the Packers’ preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 24 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ester is midway through his rookie season in the NFL after being signed by the Packers as a undrafted free agent in April. (Evan Siegle | Green Bay Packers)

James Ester learning lessons in first pro season

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 19, 2024

It was only a year ago when James Ester was regularly tearing through opposing offensive lines as the leading man on NIU’s defense. His veteran experience made him a respected voice in the Huskies’ locker room.  Now, Ester is back to being the...

Redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) turns and prepares to hand the ball to redshirt senior running back Gavin Williams (21) on Wednesday at Huskie Stadium. NIU football will play the Miami University RedHawks on Tuesday, seeking to bring the Mallory Cup to NIU for the first time since it was created in 2018. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU to play Miami (Ohio) for Mallory Cup in road finale

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 18, 2024

DeKALB – Coming off a win that made NIU bowl eligible for the third time in four seasons, the Huskies will be on the road for the final time of the regular season when they visit the reigning Mid-American Conference champion Miami University. The...

The NIU wrestling coaching staff encourages from the sidelines in the Huskies' meet against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in February. The Huskies suffered their first loss Saturday against Northwestern University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Wrestling takes first loss against Northwestern

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter | November 17, 2024

Coming off of a dominant showing at the Michigan State Open, NIU wrestling (0-1) competed against the Northwestern University Wildcats (1-0) in its first meet of the season Saturday night.  Falling behind 14-4 after the fifth match, NIU’s night...

NIU men's basketball guard Quentin Jones (1) drives toward the basket Tuesday in the Huskies' game against Monmouth University. After traveling to Peoria Saturday, the Huskies drop to 2-2 following a 76-60 defeat against the University of Bradley Braves. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies fall to Braves behind poor shooting

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | November 17, 2024

Early foul trouble led NIU men’s basketball (2-2) to its second loss of the season in a 76-60 defeat against the Bradley University Braves (3-1).  11 first half fouls from the Huskies led to Bradley taking a commanding 43-33 lead into halftime....

NIU redshirt senior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph (3) throws a 39-yard touchdown pass near the end of the first quarter in Wednesday’s 29-16 win against the University of Akron Zips. Rudolph’s touchdown was his first passing score since his days as a high school quarterback. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

‘It felt amazing:’ the special meaning behind Trayvon Rudolph’s tricky TD pass

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 15, 2024

DeKALB – Since arriving at NIU as a walk-on freshman four falls ago, redshirt senior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph has shown just how versatile he can be. He can catch passes. He can return kicks. He can take handoffs. He can even throw behind his...

NIU football redshirt junior Justin Lynch (5) celebrates in the endzone with redshirt senior running back Gavin Williams (21) after Williams rushed for a 71-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter Wednesday against the University of Akron Zips. The Huskies defeated the Zips 29-16, advancing to six wins on the season and clinching a bowl game. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Seniors shine against Akron, lead NIU to bowl bid

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 14, 2024

DeKALB – NIU football overcame the cold, wind and rain at Huskie Stadium and racked up 439 yards of total offense to prevail over the University of Akron (2-8, 1-5 MAC) on Wednesday night. With the 29-16 victory, the Huskies (6-4, 3-3 MAC) are bowl...

Freshman forward Jayden Mott drops from the rim after a dunk midway through the second half on Tuesday at the Convocation Center. NIU men's basketball scored 24 points in the paint as the Huskies defeated Monmouth University 79-66 on Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball grounds Hawks

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | November 12, 2024

DeKALB – Led by a 19-0 run spanning between halves, NIU men’s basketball (2-1) soared past the Monmouth University Hawks (0-3) Tuesday by a score of 79-66. After the Hawks took a 34-32 lead on a free throw with 3:40 remaining in the opening...

NIU men's soccer sophomore goalkeeper Atahan Arslan (1) catches a corner kick from Drake University on Nov. 1 in NIU's 3-2 loss against Drake. The Huskies finished the 2024 season at the bottom of the Missouri Valley Conference standings, ending with a 1-6-1 record within the MVC. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

SCHAEFER: Men’s soccer wraps up disappointing 2024 season

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Reporter | November 12, 2024

NIU men’s soccer has wrapped up a disappointing season, ending with a 3-12-1 (1-6-1 MVC) record and sitting in last place of the Missouri Valley Conference standings.  Throughout the season, the Huskies looked like a vastly different team from last...

NIU redshirt senior offensive lineman J.J Lippe (79) lifts redshirt sophomore wide receiver Cam Thompson (0) after celebrating a touchdown late in the second quarter against Ball State University on Oct. 26. The Huskies host the University of Akron  Wednesday for their second midweek MACtion game. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU to host Akron, needing one win for bowl eligibility

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 11, 2024

DeKALB – Redshirt junior defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard was in his first season at NIU the last time the University of Akron Zips paid a visit to Huskie Stadium. He didn’t play a snap that season, but he was there to get the experience of an...