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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

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi throwing a pass to a teammate against Boston College on Sep. 2. The Huskies defeated the Eagles 27-24 in overtime. (Gaelen Morse | NIU Athletics)

Offensive concerns persist, NIU loses big against Nebraska

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | September 16, 2023

DeKALB – Offensive woes persisted as NIU football (1-2) dropped its away matchup to the University of Nebraska (1-2) in a 35-11 blowout on Saturday. The Huskies' offensive struggles extended into Saturday’s game, as they scored just 11 points,...

Cornerback Jacob Finley (20) and safety CJ Brown (6) go in for a tackle on Southern Illinois University wide receiver Izaiah Hartrup (5) during the second quarter on Saturday. ( Nyla Owens | Northern Star )

Huskies seek retribution in road matchup

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | September 14, 2023

DeKALB – After suffering a 14-11 upset in Saturday’s home opener against Southern Illinois University, NIU football (1-1) is ready to hit the road, gearing up for a showdown against the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (0-2). Despite amassing over...

COLUMN: Discipline, poor offense catalyze home-opening loss

COLUMN: Discipline, poor offense catalyze home-opening loss

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

After beginning the season 1-0 with a road victory over the Boston College Eagles, NIU football (1-1) came up short in its home opener, falling to the Southern Illinois University Salukis (2-0) 14-11. In order to bounce back with a win on Saturday...

Senior wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz celebrates the overtime touchdown scored by redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi. The Huskies defeated the Boston College Eagles 27-24 Saturday for their first win of the 2023 regular season. (Gaelen Morse | NIU Athletics)

Huskies down Eagles in overtime thriller

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 2, 2023

DeKALB – Thanks to a walk-off touchdown from redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi, NIU football (1-0) outlasted the Boston College Eagles (0-1) for a 27-24 win.  After the Huskies raced out to a 14-0 lead, the Eagles exploded for 14 fourth-quarter...

Then-sophomore running back Antario Brown rushes down the left side of the field on a 35-yard touchdown run on Sept. 1, 2022 (Ivan Meza | Northern Star)

Healthier Huskies ready to battle Eagles

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | August 31, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football opens its 2023 season against the Boston College Eagles, the Huskies’ first ACC opponent since their 37-19 loss against Florida State University in 2018.  NEW LOOK EAGLES The Eagles are coming off a 3-9 record last year,...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi evades Tulsa graduate linebacker Grant Sawyer duing a pass attempt in the first half of September 1st 2022 matchup. Lombardi led the Huskie scoring with three touchdowns through the air.

Complementary football vital to Huskies’ 2023 turnaround

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | August 30, 2023

DeKALB – Coming off a disappointing 3-9 record in 2022, NIU football looks to bounce back this season from its last place finish in the Mid-American Conference West.  “A facet of the game I’m looking to improve upon is our ability to play complimentary...

Wide receivers Kacper Rutkiewicz (Left) and Cole Tucker running the ball after receiving the ball in the second half of Saturday's game. (Marco Sotelo Avila | Northern Star)

Tucker, Green-May headed to NFL camps

By Daija Hammonds, Managing Editor | May 1, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football announced former players Cole Tucker and Izayah Green-May have been invited to NFL camps Monday.  Tucker will be headed to the Minnesota Vikings’ training camp after playing in a Huskie uniform for five seasons.  The...

Quarterback Ethan Hampton looks for an open receiver to pass to during a play in the second quarter of the Huskies matchup against the Rockets on Sept. 30, 2022 at Huskie Stadium. (Marco Sotelo Avila | Northern Star)

Defensive emphasis headlines spring football showcase

By Joseph Segreti and Zack Rodriguez | April 22, 2023

DeKALB – Fans got an early look at NIU football during their annual spring football showcase, held at Huskie Stadium, that featured a live scrimmage and various drills.  Redshirt sophomore quarterback Ethan Hampton will be backing up redshirt senior...

NIU redshirt sophomore defensive tackle James Ester and sophomore linebacker Daveren Rayner bring down Vanderbilt University freshman quarterback A.J. Swann for a sack in the third quarter of a game on Sept. 17 at Huskie Stadium. The Vanderbilt Commodores completed a comeback to beat NIU 38-28. (Marco Sotelo Avila | Northern Star)

Football kicks off spring practices

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | March 27, 2023

DeKALB – The NIU football team wrapped up its first week of spring drills with a full pad practice Sunday at the Chessick Practice Center.  NIU’s defensive line group, consisting of senior defensive lineman James Ester and junior defensive end...

Football adds Eubanks, White to round out coaching staff

By Adrien De La Peña, Sports Reporter | March 11, 2023

DeKALB – NIU head coach Thomas Hammock completed his coaching staff with the additions of Darius Eubanks and Cory White to the NIU football coaching staff, Hammock announced Friday.  Eubanks joins the Huskies after coaching college football the...

NIU redshirt senior tight end Liam Soraghan turns upfield after catching a pass from freshman quarterback Nevan Cremascoli in the first quarter of the Huskies' Nov. 16 football game against the Miami University RedHawks. NIU Football has announced multiple additions to it's lineup for the upcoming season. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

NIU football releases full 2023 schedule

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | March 1, 2023

DeKALB – The Mid-American Conference has released NIU football’s 2023 schedule, featuring their homecoming opponent, the Ohio University Bobcats.  The Huskies’ first four games on the schedule all feature opponents outside of the MAC. NIU will...

NIU redshirt senior tight end Liam Soraghan turns upfield after catching a pass from freshman quarterback Nevan Cremascoli in the first quarter of the Huskies' Nov. 16 football game against the Miami University RedHawks. NIU Football has announced multiple additions to it's lineup for the upcoming season. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

NIU football announces nine signings for 2023 season

By Jermel Williams, Sports Reporter | February 3, 2023

DeKALB– The first day of February signing for NIU football concluded with nine new roster signings with six of the players being from Illinois.  The six Illinois recruits include freshman tight end Tyler Gaines from Rockford, freshman running back...