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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 and players run onto the field before the Huskies’ non-conference game against the University of Maryland on Sept. 5 at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland. NIU will play another Power Four opponent Saturday when they face Mississippi State University. (Northern Star file photo)

Behind Enemy Bylines: Bulldogs bring energy, aggression into NIU matchup

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 19, 2025

It’s been two weeks since the NIU football team last took the field. The Huskies walked off of it with a frustrating 20-9 loss in Maryland. Now, fresh off a bye week, NIU is hitting the road once more to face a new opponent in a Saturday matinee. The...

NIU redshirt junior cornerback Jacob Finley (3) celebrates after helping force an incomplete pass during the third quarter of a non-conference football game against the University of Maryland on Sept. 5 at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland. The Huskies' next opponent will be Mississippi State University on Saturday in Starkville, Mississippi. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

‘We have nothing to lose:’ Huskies head south to face unbeaten Mississippi State

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 18, 2025

DeKALB — The NIU football team is just days away from making its first-ever trip to Starkville, Mississippi, to face the unbeaten Mississippi State Bulldogs, but you can already hear the cowbells coming from Huskie Stadium. Wait, cowbells? In DeKalb?...

NIU redshirt senior running back Chavon Wright rushes past University of Maryland freshman defensive back Messiah Delhomme (33) during the second quarter of NIU's road opener on Sept. 5 at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland. Senior Sports Reporter Skyler Kisellus picked Wright as NIU's top offensive performer through two games. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

KISELLUS: Look on the bright side of NIU football

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 16, 2025

I’m not going to sit here and tell you NIU has played great football this season. I won’t pretend to be as confident in the Huskies on Tuesday morning as I was more than a week ago — on a dark, humid Friday night in Maryland. After hearing all...

NIU redshirt junior left tackle Evan Malcore (54) throws a block against University of Maryland freshman defensive lineman Sidney Stewart (29) during the fourth quarter of NIU's road opener on Friday night at SECU Stadium in College Park, Maryland. Pro Football Focus graded Malcore as one of the Huskies' top offensive players for the game. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU PFF grades: Offensive line shows out in loss to Maryland

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 11, 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...

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...

NIU football junior wide receiver DeAree Rogers (6) says “We ain’t losing at home all season” to a camera recording their exit to Yordon Center following their win on Saturday against the College of the Holy Cross. The Northern Star Sports staff shares their predictions for the outcomes of five college football games scheduled to take place this weekend.  (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Weekly CFB picks: NIU comes up short on the road, Sooners boom Michigan

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 4, 2025

Week 2 of the college football season begins Friday night, highlighting NIU’s quest for a 20th boneyard victory against the University of Maryland.  With MAC teams as underdogs and a Mountain West vs. Big Ten matchup on Saturday, here are the Northern...

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...

A graphic shows NIU student-athletes from various sports with arrows indicating highs and lows. Sports Editor Kalin Schaefer discusses the high and low moments for NIU Athletics in August. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

SCHAEFER: High and lows of NIU Athletics in August

By Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor | September 2, 2025

With the first month of the 2025 season in the books, NIU’s fall sports are well underway. While most of NIU’s teams performed well to start their seasons, some had higher highs than others.  Here are two high points, and two low points, from...

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...

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...

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