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Northern Star

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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 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 quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) is tackled by North Carolina State University graduate student defensive end Davin Vann (1) after rushing for a 9-yard gain on the final drive of NIU’s 24-17 loss Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. Hampton finished the game with nine carries for a loss of 19 yards. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Turnovers plague NIU in shortfall at NC State

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 28, 2024

RALEIGH, N.C. – Despite outperforming Power Four foe North Carolina State University in nearly every offensive metric, NIU football dropped to .500 Saturday after coughing up four turnovers. NIU (2-2, 0-1 MAC) lost the turnover battle by four as...

Senior fullback Brock Lampe (49) recovers a fumble in the endzone with North Carolina State University graduate student linebacker Devon Betty fighting for the ball on Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina. Lampe's touchdown tied the score at 7-7 late in the first quarter. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskies fall short in Raleigh

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 28, 2024

NIU football (2-2, 0-1 MAC) lost 24-17 to the North Carolina State University Wolfpack (3-2, 0-1 ACC) as four turnovers plagued the Huskies. FIRST HALF The Wolfpack took the early lead on freshman quarterback CJ Bailey’s 1-yard rush, which followed...

NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) attempts a pass during Saturday’s overtime loss to the University at Buffalo at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Hampton finished 23-of-43 passing for 194 yards and an interception. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

After Buffalo loss, NIU eyes rebound at NC State

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 26, 2024

DeKALB – When NIU football walked off Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium after being knocked off its No. 23 pedestal by the University at Buffalo, it left a bitter taste within the program. After all, the 23-20 overtime loss was only the third time NIU...

NIU junior defensive end Nevaeh Sanders (28) celebrates after sacking University at Buffalo senior quarterback C.J. Ogbonna during Saturday’s Mid-American Conference opener at Huskie Stadium. Sanders finished with three sacks, the most in a game by a Huskie since All-American Sutton Smith had four in 2018. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Northern Star to travel to N.C. for football coverage

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 24, 2024

DeKALB – NIU football resumes non-conference play on Saturday as the Huskies travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, to face North Carolina State University. Senior Sports Reporter Skyler Kisellus, Photo Editor Tim Dodge and Senior Photojournalist Totus...

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...

Senior running Antario Brown (left) takes a handoff from redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (right) on Saturday at Huskie Stadium. NIU football lost 23-20 on Saturday to the University at Buffalo Bulls. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Huskies fall to Bulls in overtime

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 21, 2024

DeKALB – NIU football (2-1) lost in overtime to the University at Buffalo Bulls (3-1) by a score of 23-20 on Saturday. FIRST HALF After trading three-and-outs with Buffalo, the Huskies opened the scoring with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by senior...

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...

NIU redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) passes to senior wide receiver Andrew McElroy (19) late in the fourth quarter of a 16-14 victory over the University of Notre Dame on Sept. 7 at Notre Dame Stadium. Hampton was 10-of-19 passing for 198 yards and a touchdown. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Notre Dame, NC State among NIU rooting interests in Week 4

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 18, 2024

NIU football remains one of the top programs in the country after getting some help from a pair of Power Four schools during its well-deserved bye week in Week 3 to climb to No. 23 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll. The Huskies will...

NIU redshirt junior defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard (0) celebrates after the NIU defense forced the University of Notre Dame to punt in the third quarter of the Sept. 7 game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. NIU held Notre Dame to just 123 rushing yards and intercepted senior quarterback Riley Leonard twice in the game. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU jumps to No. 23 in AP Top 25

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 15, 2024

DeKALB – After making The Associated Press Top 25 for the first time in over a decade last week, NIU football climbed two spots in the rankings in the latest poll released Sunday. NIU, who spent the past week on a bye, are now ranked No. 23 in AP...

Kansas State sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson (2) throws against Tulane University on Sept. 7. Sports Reporter Skyler Kisellus believes NIU football fans should be interested in Kansas State's next game as a win over No. 20 ranked University of Arizona could improve the Huskies' ranking in the AP Top 25. (Matthew Hinton | AP Photo)

COLUMN: Week 3 results needed to keep NIU ranked

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 12, 2024

NIU football made history on Saturday with its upset of the University of Notre Dame to be ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 college football poll for the first time since 2013. Now, the Huskies are on a bye week, meaning their No. 25 ranking rests...

Senior linebacker Christian Fuhrman (44) celebrates through the wave of booing from University of Notre Dame fans on Saturday. The NIU football team has received many awards, both team and individual, since its win over Notre Dame.  (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Huskies accrue numerous accolades following Notre Dame win

By Northern Star Sports Staff | September 11, 2024

DeKALB – On the heels of Saturday’s stunning upset of the University of Notre Dame, NIU football has been raking in honors. On Monday, senior running back Antario Brown and senior defensive tackles Cade Haberman and Devonte O’Malley swept the...