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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student news organization 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

Then-NIU quarterback Jordan Lynch looks to make a pass downfield during the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2013. The Huskies have yet to win a bowl game in their last three tries. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

Reviewing NIU football’s 3 most recent Bowl games

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | December 6, 2023

With the postseason destiny and the collegiate careers of 11 seniors hanging in the balance, NIU football (6-6, 5-3 MAC) triumphed in a 37-27 high-stakes clash over the Kent State University Golden Flashes on Nov. 25 to become bowl-eligible.  The...

Redshirt senior Tyler Jackson (0) holds the NIU flag as he leads the team onto the Huskie Stadium field on Oct. 21. The Huskies will take on Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl on Dec. 23. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football to compete in Camellia Bowl

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | December 4, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football (6-6, 5-3 MAC) will take on the Arkansas State University Red Wolves (6-6, 4-4 Sun Belt Conference) on Dec. 23 in Montgomery, Alabama, in the 10th annual Camellia Bowl.  "We are certainly excited about the opportunity to play...

NIU junior running back Antario Brown (1) fights to break tackles against three Ball State defenders during NIU footballs game on Nov. 7. Brown is among five players on NIU to receive All-MAC honors. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

5 Huskies named to All-MAC Teams

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | December 4, 2023

DeKALB – Highlighted by First Team All-MAC honorees, redshirt senior offensive lineman Nolan Potter and junior running back Antario Brown, five Huskies were named to All-MAC teams.  Senior defensive tackle James Ester and junior cornerback Javaughn...

A headshot of NIU Athletics Hall of Famer Mark Kellar. Kellar, a former NIU football fullback, ranks fourth in NIU history in rushing yards and sixth in rushing touchdowns. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

NIU Athletics Hall of Famer Mark Kellar dies at 71

By Lucas Didier, Sports Reporter | November 30, 2023

Mark Kellar, legendary NIU fullback and 1973 NCAA rushing champion, died at the age of 71 on Tuesday in Minneapolis. The “Carpentersville Crusher,” named after his hometown, was elected to the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1983. Kellar’s number...

Junior defensive end Ray Thomas rushes the Toledo offensive line in NIU footballs game against Toledo on Sept. 30. Thomas received the MAC West defensive Player of the Week award for his 10 tackles against Kent State on Saturday. (Scott Grau | Kent State Athletics)

Thomas’ 10 tackles earns MAC West Defensive Player of the Week

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 27, 2023

DeKALB – Junior defensive end Raishein Thomas earned MAC West Defensive Player of the Week in NIU football’s (6-6, 5-3 MAC) 37-27 win Saturday over Kent State University. Thomas led the Huskies with 10 tackles Saturday – including a career high...

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Dane Pardridge runs up the field during NIU football win over Western Michigan on Nov. 14. The Huskies earned bowl eligibility in Saturdays win over Kent State. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football escapes Kent, clinches Bowl eligibility

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | November 25, 2023

DeKALB – A triumphant 37-27 victory over Kent State University (1-11, 0-8 MAC) on Saturday catapulted NIU football (6-6, 5-3 MAC) into postseason eligibility after missing out last year. NIU is bowl-bound for the 15th time in school history and...

Junior running back Antario Brown rushes the ball during NIU footballs 24-0 win over Western Michigan on Nov. 14. The Huskies enter the final game of the season needing a win to be bowl eligible. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Bowl game within reach ahead of final football game

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 24, 2023

DeKALB – Following a convincing 24-0 win over Western Michigan University on senior night last week, NIU football (5-6, 4-3 MAC) will take on the Kent State University Golden Flashes (1-10, 0-7 MAC) Saturday in search of their sixth and final win needed...

Redshirt freshman Dane Pardridge returns a punt from Western Michigan University on Tuesday. NIU football defeated the Broncos 24-0 to win its fifth game of the year. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies shut out Broncos in statement win

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 15, 2023

DeKALB – After a crushing 20-17 loss to Ball State University last week, NIU football (5-6, 4-3 MAC) bounced back on senior night at Huskie Stadium, cruising past the Western Michigan University Broncos (4-7, 3-4 MAC) 24-0 Tuesday. NIU dominated...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi throws a pass in an NIU football home game against Ball State University on Tuesday. The Huskies are set to defend home field on Tuesday against Western Michigan University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football set for final home game of the season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 12, 2023

DeKALB – After dropping a 20-17 heartbreaker as time expired to Ball State University last week, NIU football (4-6, 3-3 MAC) will host Western Michigan University (4-6, 3-3 MAC) in its final home game of the 2023 season.  NIU has fallen on hard...

Junior cornerback Javaughn Byrd attempts to block a Ball State University field goal. The Huskies were defeated by the Cardinals by a final score of 20-17 on Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football fails to capture Bronze Stalk

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | November 8, 2023

DeKALB – A 36-yard field goal set up by a forced fumble was the deciding factor in NIU football’s (4-6, 3-3 MAC) 20-17 loss against Ball State University (3-7, 2-4 MAC) on Tuesday.  "As the head coach, it's my responsibility to get the team ready...

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Jalon Johnson attempts to catch the ball in the snow against Central Michigan last Tuesday. The Huskies will look to reclaim the Bronze Stalk Trophy on Tuesday against Ball State. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Football to battle for Bronze Stalk

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | November 5, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football (4-5, 3-2 MAC) seeks to return the Bronze Stalk Trophy back to DeKalb in Week 2 of MACtion against Ball State University (2-7, 1-4 MAC). During Tuesday’s game against CMU, NIU found itself trailing by a 24-3 margin at halftime....

A cartoon illustrates former NIU football kicker Mathew Sims vibrant smile and pre-kick setup. Sims finished as NIUs second all-time leading scorer in school history and was known as a great teammate and friend. (Eleanor Gentry | Northern Star)

Remembering NIU’s kicking hero

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | November 1, 2023

His name was Mathew Sims. He was the kicker NIU football placed its collective trust upon to pull the Huskies through on the gridiron. It’s Dec. 2, 2011, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The 9-3 NIU Huskies and the 9-3 Ohio University Bobcats...