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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

NIU senior tight end Grayson Barnes (81) runs down the sideline to the endzone for a 32-yard touchdown in the second quarter of the Huskies' game against the University of Akron Wednesday. In NIU's Tuesday night game against the Miami University RedHawks, the Huskies go into halftime trailing the RedHawks 17-3. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies fall to the RedHawks after shaky offensive performance

By Northern Star Sports Staff | November 19, 2024

NIU football (6-5, 3-4 MAC) were defeated 20-9 by the Miami University RedHawks (7-4, 6-1 MAC) Tuesday in the Huskies’ second-to-last game of the season.  FIRST HALF The Huskies offense was sluggish in the first half, posting only 81 yards while...

NIU football redshirt senior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph winds up before launching his 39-yard touchdown pass  at the end of the first quarter Wednesday against the University of Akron Zips. The Huskies finished the first half with a 23-16 lead. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies clinch bowl game, roll past Zips

By Northern Star Sports Staff | November 13, 2024

DeKALB – NIU football (6-4, 3-3 MAC) clinched a bowl game berth Wednesday after defeating the University of Akron Zips (2-8, 1-5 MAC) 29-16 in Huskie Stadium’s sole midweek MACtion game. The victory marks NIU’s first conference win at home this...

NIU senior running back Antario Brown (1) sprints toward the end zone after spinning around a Ball State University defender Saturday at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana. Brown scored a 34-yard touchdown on the play and got another in the fourth quarter to record his second two-touchdown performance of the season. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

KISELLUS: Ball State heartbreaker exposed major issues for NIU

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 31, 2024

With 15 seconds left on the clock Saturday against Ball State University, NIU was on the cusp of victory. Senior kicker Kanon Woodill had just made a 47-yard field goal to give the Huskies their first lead of the game. But once again, the Cardinals...

Redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Holst (15) carries the ball in the first half on Saturday against the Bowling Green State University Falcons at Doyt L. Perry Stadium. Holst entered the game as quarterback after an injury to redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton in the second quarter. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies’ depth shines in win over Bowling Green

By Northern Star Sports Staff | October 12, 2024

A three-quarter shutout boosted NIU football (4-2, 1-1 MAC) over the Bowling Green State University Falcons (2-4, 1-1 MAC) by a score of 17-7. NIU entered Saturday’s contest with a long list of injuries, including senior running back Antario Brown,...

Multiple NIU players surround University of Massachusetts freshman running back Da'Marion Alberic after he was tackled by senior linebacker Jaden Dolphin short of the line of scrimmage. NIU defeated UMass 34-20 at Huskie Stadium on Saturday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Ground game flourishes as Huskies defeat the Minutemen

By Northern Star Sports Staff | October 5, 2024

Four rushing touchdowns helped NIU football (3-2, 0-1 MAC) overcome the University of Massachusetts Minutemen (1-5) by a score of 34-20 Saturday.  FIRST HALF The Huskies opened up scoring on the third play of the game when redshirt junior quarterback...

NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) throws a pass under pressure from North Carolina State University redshirt junior defensive end Travali Price (13) in the third quarter of NIU’s 24-17 loss to NC State on Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. Hampton committed four turnovers – two fumbles and two interceptions – while taking a career-high four sacks in his sixth loss as the Huskies’ starting quarterback. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

COLUMN: The Achilles’ heel of NIU’s offense

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 2, 2024

After being sacked and having the football stripped from him inside his own 10-yard line for a second time Saturday, redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton watched helplessly from the ground as the defense recovered his fumble and celebrated another...

NIU redshirt junior running back Justin Lynch is tackled behind the line of scrimmage by University at Buffalo redshirt fifth-year nickel Solomon Brown (7) and junior defensive tackle Tristan Souza (55) in the third quarter of Saturday's 23-20 overtime loss to Buffalo at Huskie Stadium. Lynch was one of nine NIU players to record a catch in the game, finishing with two receptions for 3 yards. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

No. 23 NIU falls to Buffalo in overtime

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

DeKALB – In the aftermath of a 23-20 loss to the University at Buffalo, NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock, redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton and junior defensive end Nevaeh Sanders sat down behind a table inside a classroom in the Yordon...

NIU redshirt senior running back Gavin Williams (21) runs for a 7-yard gain late in the third quarter of the Huskies’ 16-14 win over then-No. 5 University of Notre Dame at Notre Dame Stadium in Notre Dame, Indiana. Williams finished the game with 61 rushing yards on 17 attempts. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

No. 23 NIU looks ahead to MAC opener against Buffalo

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

DeKALB – It’s been almost two weeks since NIU shocked the college football world with its upset of then-No. 5 University of Notre Dame. Now, the Huskies have put that historic upset in South Bend, Indiana, in the rear-view mirror as they shift...

Senior running back Antario Brown (1) races to the endzone for an 83-yard touchdown reception. NIU football defeated the University of Notre Dame, who ranked No. 5 in the nation, by a score of 16-14 Saturday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU topples No. 5 Notre Dame in historic upset

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 7, 2024

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – On the eve of NIU football’s first-ever matchup with the University of Notre Dame on a national stage, head coach Thomas Hammock had a dream. “This game’s going to come down to a field goal,” Hammock said he told his coaches. By...

A graphic shows redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton as Huskie of the Week. Hampton threw for five touchdowns and 328 yards Saturday as NIU football defeated Western Illinois University 54-15. (Eddie Miller | Northern Star)

Hampton scores Huskie of the Week after career passing day

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 2, 2024

DeKALB – On the heels of one of the best passing performances in NIU football history, redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton has taken home the first Huskie of the Week honor of the new school year and the first of his career. After being named...

Redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) makes a pass during NIU's 54-15 victory over Western Illinois University on Saturday. Hampton was named the Mid-American Conference Football Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career on Monday after throwing for 328 yards and five touchdowns in his first start since Oct. 8, 2022. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Ethan Hampton earns first MAC weekly honor

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 2, 2024

DeKALB – After posting a record-setting performance in his first win as a starter, redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton has earned his first-career Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor, the league office announced Monday. Hampton...

Redshirt-senior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph (3) is lifted up in celebration after a touchdown Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Rudolph scored two touchdowns in the first half as NIU defeated Western Illinois University 54-15. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU football pummels Western Illinois in Hampton’s stellar debut

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 31, 2024

DeKALB – NIU football produced one of the best offensive performances in school history Saturday in a 54-15 beatdown of the Western Illinois University Leathernecks at Huskie Stadium, all while led by its newly-named starting quarterback. NIU head...