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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

A graphic shows NIU football senior cornerback Javaughn Byrd pictured as this week’s Huskie of the Week. Byrd allowed 5 catches for 37 yards in NIU's 24-16 victory Saturday against Central Michigan University. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

Byrd achieves first career Huskie of the Week Award

By Northern Star Sports Staff | December 2, 2024

NIU football (7-5, 4-4 MAC) senior cornerback JaVaughn Byrd earned this week’s Huskie of the Week Award after contributing to the Huskies’ 24-16 victory over the Central Michigan University Chippewas (4-8, 2-6 MAC) on Saturday.  Early in the second...

Redshirt junior Jacob Christensen stares down his Rider University opponent on Nov. 22 at the Convocation Center after his opponent broke free. Christensen competes as a heavyweight in the 285-pound weight class for NIU wrestling in 2024-25. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

What does it take to maintain weight as a collegiate wrestler?

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter | December 2, 2024

We’ve all seen videos of wrestlers shaving their heads and sprinting on treadmills in desperate attempts to shake weight off before weigh-ins. We’ve heard stories of wrestlers endlessly chugging water and eating six meals in a day hoping to gain a...

A graphic shows NIU student-athletes from various sports with arrows indicating highs and lows. Sports Editor Lucas Didier shared the best and worst moments for Huskie sports in November. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

DIDIER: Highs and lows for Huskie sports in November

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | December 1, 2024

With another month of Huskie sports comes more enchanting moments to accompany feelings of dread. From clutch wins to program-worst finishes, these are the most captivating and devastating moments from the last month of NIU Athletics. HIGH: FOOTBALL...

NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) attempts a pass during an overtime loss to the University at Buffalo on Sept. 21 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Hampton announced Sunday that he intends to enter the transfer portal when it opens Dec. 9. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

BREAKING: NIU starting quarterback Ethan Hampton to enter transfer portal

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 1, 2024

DeKALB –  NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton announced on social media Sunday that he plans to enter the transfer portal with two years of eligibility remaining, ending an up-and-down career with the Huskies. The news comes one day after...

Senior defensive back Jashon Prophete (1) holds a bone in the air in front of his teammates after NIU football's 24-16 win against the Central Michigan University Chippewas on Saturday. The Huskies celebrated senior night during their final game of the regular season on Saturday and celebrated 30 seniors, 20 of which have spent their whole college career at NIU. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU thwarts Central Michigan, freezing temps on Senior Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 1, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU football team overcame below freezing temperatures Saturday night at Huskie Stadium to defeat Central Michigan University 24-16 and send its 30 graduating seniors off with one final victory at home. The Huskies (7-5, 4-4 MAC) rushed...

NIU senior defensive tackle Devonte O’Malley (8) and redshirt senior tight end Tristen Tewes (82) wield flags as they lead the Huskies onto the field before kickoff of NIU’s 29-16 win against the University of Akron on Nov. 13 at Huskie Stadium. O’Malley and Tewes will be among the 30 seniors honored before Saturday’s home finale against Central Michigan University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU seeks strong home finish in Senior Day clash

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 27, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU football team will close out the regular season Saturday against longtime foe Central Michigan University as the largest senior class in team history prepares to play in front of the home crowd one last time. Fresh off a 20-9 loss...

 Redshirt junior Blake West fights against Rider University senior Will Betancourt’s grip at the base of his neck. West stopped Betancourt from winning a single point across all three periods. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Gallery: Huskies capture first win over Rider

By Totus Tuus Keely, Senior Photojournalist | November 25, 2024

Junior guard Alecia Doyle (22) tries to gain separation while graduate student forward Brooke Stonebraker (34) stands open on Nov. 6 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Doyle and Stonebraker each scored 17 points in a 67-60 win over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sunday. (Joseph Segreti | Northern Star)

Stonebraker, Doyle lead win over Milwaukee

By Lucas Didier, Sports Editor | November 24, 2024

NIU women’s basketball (3-2) took down the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (2-5) by a score of 67-60 on Sunday for the Huskies first road win over the Panthers since 1995. The Huskies shot 46% from the field on the day while going 8-for-18 from...

NIU men’s basketball sophomore guard Kailon Nicholls fends off two Elon University defenders Wednesday in the Huskies’ 75-48 loss. Nicholls finished with 2 points Saturday in NIU’s 98-52 loss against Elon University. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

DePaul’s three-point barrage sinks Huskies

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | November 23, 2024

NIU men’s basketball (2-4) dropped its third straight contest in a 98-52 blowout against the DePaul University Blue Demons (6-0) on Saturday.  “We didn’t play well,” NIU men’s basketball head coach Rashon Burno said. “We’re struggling...

Redshirt junior Jacob Christensen lifts Rider University freshman Collin French off the mat to slam him back down on Friday at the Convocation Center. Christensen won the final match to seal a 20-19 victory for NIU wrestling over the Broncs. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Huskies come alive late to spur Broncs

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | November 23, 2024

NIU wrestling (1-1) trumped the Rider University Broncs (0-2) in their second meet of the season Friday night, winning the dual 20-19. EBBS AND FLOWS The Huskies would storm ahead early going up 11-0. This included an 8-0 major decision at 125 lbs...