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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

Redshirt junior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph receives a handoff during NIU footballs game against Eastern Michigan University on Oct. 22. The Huskies comeback bid fell short in a 37-31 loss to Central Michigan on Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Football’s MACtion comeback falls short

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | November 1, 2023

DeKALB – After trailing 24-3 at halftime and 37-11 during the third quarter, NIU football (4-5, 3-2 MAC) was unable to complete a miraculous second half comeback, falling 37-31 to the Central Michigan University Chippewas (5-4, 3-2 MAC). With the...

Senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) looks to take an open pass to senior wide receiver Kacper Rutkiewicz (8) during the third quarter against Southern Illinois University on Sept. 9. The Huskies lost to Southern Illinois University 14-11. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Football comes up short in shootout

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | September 30, 2023

DeKALB – An offensive revival was not enough to grant a victory over the defending MAC champions as NIU football (1-4, 0-1 MAC) fell to the University of Toledo (4-1, 2-0 MAC) 35-33 Saturday.  For the first time this season, NIU scored more than...

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...

Then-redshirt junior quarterback Rocky Lombardi rushes to the right against Eastern Michigan University at Huskie Stadium on Oct. 2, 2021. Lombardi made his return from injury in Saturdays matchup against EMU.

COLUMN: Rocky Lombardi will save NIU’s season

By Tyler Murray, Sports Reporter | October 21, 2022

Editor's note: Tyler Murray is a sophomore communications major and serves as a sports reporter at the Northern Star. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the Star. This is an opinion piece. Senior quarterback Rocky Lombardi made his comeback...