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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 junior punter Tom Foley prepares to punt the ball during football's game against the University of Nebraska on Sept. 16. Foley was named the MAC West Specialist Player of the Week. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Foley earns football’s third consecutive MAC Player of the Week honor

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | October 23, 2023

DeKALB – NIU redshirt junior punter Tom Foley was named the MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance in NIU football’s (4-4, 3-1 MAC) 20-13 win over Eastern Michigan University Saturday.  Foley punted the ball four times Saturday...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) runs for the first down against Eastern Michigan. The Huskies defeated the Eagles 20-13. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football downs Eagles, wins third straight

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | October 21, 2023

DeKALB – With a goal-line stretch by redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi in the final two minutes of regulation, NIU football (4-4, 3-1 MAC) pulled away from Eastern Michigan University (4-4, 2-2 MAC) by a score of 20-13.  The Huskie offense...

2009 inductee Bill Baker speaks as a part of the series of speakers on Saturday night at the 2022 Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony. Baker has been named a finalist for the 2023 Armed Forces Merit Award. (Mingda Wu | Northern Star)

Baker named finalist for Armed Forces Merit Award

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | October 20, 2023

DeKALB — Radio play-by-play announcer and United States Air Force veteran Bill Baker has been named an “Elite 11” finalist for the 2023 Armed Forces Merit Award, NIU announced on Friday.   The Armed Forces Merit Award honors an individual and/or...

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Drew Hoth (71) blocks as redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) looks to take an open past during Saturday's Homecoming game against Ohio University. The Huskies are looking for their third straight win this weekend against Eastern Michigan. (Cameron Whittington | Northern Star)

Football eyes third place in MAC West

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | October 19, 2023

DeKALB – With a victory on Saturday, NIU football (3-4, 2-1 MAC) can seize the chance to surpass Eastern Michigan University (4-3, 2-1 MAC) for third place in the MAC West.  The Huskies ride into Saturday’s contest on the heels of a 23-13 Homecoming...

NIU football's defense shut down Ohio University in the final 30 minutes of Saturday's game. The defense's collective performance earned them Northern Star's first group Huskie of the Week honor. (Ria Pathak | Northern Star)

NIU football’s defense takes over Huskie of the Week

By Northern Star Sports Staff | October 16, 2023

DeKALB – After pitching the second-half shutout to clinch a victory against the Ohio University Bobcats in the 116th annual Homecoming game, NIU’s defense collectively received Huskie Of the Week honors. NIU faced a 13-7 deficit after conceding...

Redshirt sophomore kicker Jake Seibert (30) practices for field goal kicks while  redshirt sophomore kicker Kanon Woodill (92) holds the ball in place during the NIU game against SIU Sept 9. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Woodill earns MAC Special Teams Player of the Week

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | October 16, 2023

DeKALB – NIU redshirt sophomore kicker Kanon Woodill earned his second career MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week award for his performance in NIU football’s (3-4, 2-1 MAC) 23-13 win over the Ohio University Bobcats (5-2, 2-1 MAC) Saturday.  Woodill...

NIU junior safety Nate Valcarcel (9) runs back an interception during the fourth quarter against Ohio. The Huskies won the game 23-13. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football upsets Ohio for Homecoming victory

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | October 14, 2023

DeKALB – Fueled by a dominant second half performance, NIU football (3-4, 2-1 MAC) came back to defeat the Ohio University Bobcats (5-2, 2-1 MAC) 23-13 Saturday. “We knew it was going to take everything we had to give ourselves a chance,” said...

Wide receiver redshirt senior Davis Patterson (9) turns to look for the ball while Southern Illinois cornerback senior DJ Johnson (9) waits to block the play during Southern Illinois University versus the Huskies on Sept 9. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Football to host 116th Homecoming game

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

DeKALB – Following its convincing 55-14 win over the University of Akron, NIU football (2-4, 1-1 MAC) will host the Ohio University Bobcats (5-1, 2-0 MAC) for its 116th homecoming game Saturday. Through two conference games, NIU sits in a four way...

The front page of the Oct. 19, 1998, print edition of the Northern Star shows the post-game celebration for NIU’s 91st Homecoming Game. Fans seized the goalposts at Huskie Stadium in the final seconds of a 16-6 win over Central Michigan University. (Northern Star Archive | Wade Duerkes)

Remembering HOCO ‘98: Dunking goalposts, snapping streaks

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | October 11, 2023

Drenched by the torrential downpour and riding the high of a late ‘90s victory, a boisterous crowd of NIU football’s faithful marched the goalposts from Huskie Stadium through the heart of NIU's campus.  For a fanbase well-versed in the art of...

Junior running back Antario Brown earned Huskie of the Week after his big day Saturday against Akron. Brown rushed for 280 yards and had 4 touchdowns in the game. (Ria Pathak | Northern Star)

Brown bags Huskie of the Week after Akron ground beatdown

By Northern Star Sports Staff | October 9, 2023

DeKALB – Much like he ran away from the University of Akron’s defense on Saturday, NIU junior running back Antario Brown has run away with Huskie of the Week honors after a career-best rushing performance. Brown ran for 280 yards and four TDs on...

Junior running back Antario Brown (1), takes possession of the ball during the second quarter of the Huskies game against Southern Illinois University on Sept. 9. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Brown’s historic game earns him MAC West Offensive Player of the Week

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | October 9, 2023

DeKALB – NIU junior running back Antario Brown notched his first MAC West Offensive Player of the Week award for his performance in the Huskies 55-14 win over the University of Akron Saturday.  Brown had a career day on Saturday, posting career...

Redshirt senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi hands the ball off to redshirt junior running back Gavin Williams in a 35-11 loss against the University of Nebraska. The Huskies travel to Central Michigan looking to stay ahead of the Chippewas in the MAC West standings. (Mark Kuhlmann | NIU Athletics)

Offensive onslaught gets football back in win column

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | October 7, 2023

Behind junior running back Antario Brown’s 280 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, NIU football (2-4, 1-1 MAC) dismantled the University of Akron Zips (1-5, 0-2 MAC) 55-14 for its first conference victory of the season.  NIU gained a season...