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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

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

COLUMN: Unleashing dark-horse potential of 2023 Chicago Bears

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | September 10, 2023

DeKALB – As the 2023 NFL season dawns, a story of resilience, determination and potential unfolds on the gridiron. From underdogs to dark horses, I believe the Chicago Bears are poised to defy expectations and stampede their way into the playoffs....

NIU senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes attacks the ball against a pair of blocking University of Evansville players during Friday’s meeting between the Huskies and Purple Aces at McGrath-Phillips in Chicago. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Volleyball ends Chicago road trip winless

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 10, 2023

Knocking on the door of a win on the final day of the DePaul Invitational, the NIU volleyball team was answered with a harsh ending. On match point and leading 15-14 in Saturday’s fifth and deciding set, the Huskies surrendered a 3-0 scoring run....

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) looks to pass to senior wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz (8) on Saturday during the third quarter against Southern Illinois University on Saturday. The Huskies lost to Southern Illinois University 14-11. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Offense sputters as Huskies lose home opener

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 9, 2023

DeKALB – Points were a rarity as NIU football (1-1) dropped its home opener in a defensive slugfest to the Southern Illinois University Salukis (2-0) 14-11 Saturday.  Despite out-gaining the Salukis by 141 yards, picking up six more first downs...

NIU senior opposite/outside hitter Emily Dykes and junior middle blocker Shannon Dunkin team up to block an attack by University of Evansville graduate student outside hitter Melanie Feliciano during Friday’s match at McGrath-Phillips Arena in Chicago. Dykes led the Huskies with 14 kills while Dunkin had a team-high seven total blocks in her Huskie debut. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU quashed by Evansville in four sets

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 8, 2023

CHICAGO – Two days into its three-day stand in Chicago’s North Side, NIU volleyball’s stint at the DePaul Invitational has continued to offer setbacks for the Huskies. The Huskies (1-7) were undone in four sets, 22-25, 20-25, 25-22, 22-25, by...

Vice President and Athletic Director Sean Frazier announced Chris Barker as senior associate athletic director for development and revenue generation Thursday. barker's tenure at NIU begins Monday. (Photo courtesy NIU Athletics)

Athletics add Barker to executive team

By Sana Polizzi, Sports Reporter | September 8, 2023

DeKALB – NIU vice president and Athletic Director Sean Frazier announced Chris Barker was hired as the athletic department's new senior associate athletic director for development and revenue generation.  "I am extremely pleased to welcome Chris...

Junior setter Sophie Hurt sets the volleyball up for her teammate against the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The Huskies were defeated by the Fighting Illini 3-1 on Aug. 26. (Scott Malstrom | NIU Athletics)

Volleyball served with sweep at DePaul

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 7, 2023

CHICAGO – NIU volleyball received a bitter taste of Chicago, swallowing a shutout defeat to open tournament play in the Windy City. The Huskies (1-6) sustained their most decisive loss of the season to date, falling 3-0 in the first match of the...

Logo for 'All-Star: A Huskie Sports Podcast' (Graphic by Harrison Linden | Northern Star)

‘All Star: A Huskie Sports Podcast Episode 21’ – Football’s big win, volleyball struggling and Chicago sports talk

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 7, 2023

On this episode of All-Star, Sports Editor Ethan Gonzales and Assistant Sports Editor Alex Crowe are joined by Lifestyle Editor Sarah Rose to discuss volleyball's rough start, football's quick start and the Chicago sports landscape. https://open.spotify.com/episode/5lgwNCYg5s4rPQHIFunA02?si=ygfU5u12R6Wn84uha7MhgQ This...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi searching for a target against Boston College on Sept. 2. The Huskies defeated the Eagles in overtime 27-24. (Gaelen Morse | NIU Athletics)

Huskies set to battle Southern rival in home opener

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 7, 2023

DeKALB – On the heels of a road overtime victory against the Boston College Eagles in week one, NIU football (1-0) hosts the Southern Illinois University Salukis (1-0) in the 2023 home opener.  Despite never trailing in regulation in week one, the...

American tennis star Coco Gauff responds to the crowd at the U.S. Open after defeating Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko on Tuesday. Gauff is now in the semifinals of the championships and will face Karolína Muchová on Thursday. (Seth Wenig | Associated Press)

COLUMN: Gauff, Alcaraz to win US Open

By Sana Polizzi, Sports Reporter | September 7, 2023

Two former U.S. Open Champions Daniil Medvedev and Carlos Alcaraz face off in the Arthur Ashe Stadium tomorrow in the semi-finals alongside Novak Djokovic and Ben Shelton.  In the women’s semi-finals, Coco Gauff will be facing off against Karolína...

Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green runs to the endzone in a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 23. (Associated Press)

COLUMN: The Lions will upset the Chiefs in the 2023 NFL season opener

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | September 7, 2023

After a long three months of the NFL offseason, the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs face off in the first Thursday Night Football game of the 2023-2024 NFL season.  The Chiefs are led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes after finishing the 2022 season...

Then-junior Jasmine Ly shoots at the MAC Tournament from April 21 to April 23. Ly tied the NIU record for lowest round score at the Johnie Imes Invitational and earned MAC Golfer of the Week. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Women’s golf prepares for 2023-2024 season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 6, 2023

DeKALB – Coming off a second-place finish in last season’s MAC Golf Championship, NIU women’s golf looks to start the 2023-2024 season strong with three All-MAC golfers returning.  Senior Jasmine Ly, senior Emily Romancew and graduate student...

Then-sophomore Ben Sluzas shoots down range at the NCAA Regional in Salem, South Carolina on May 16. The Huskies won the MAC title, shooting an 896 (Mike Hasse | NIU Athletics)

Men’s golf set to build off MAC title

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | September 6, 2023

DeKALB – With the fall competition season starting, NIU men’s golf looks to keep the ball rolling after winning its first MAC Championship since 1985 in May. Junior Ben Sluzas headlines the Huskies’ lineup. NIU finished last season notching five...