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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 sophomore quarterback Josh Holst (left) and redshirt junior quarterback Jalen Macon drop back to pass during NIU’s first spring football practice on Thursday inside the Chessick Practice Center in DeKalb. Holst and Macon are two of the top contenders to be the Huskies’ starting quarterback in 2025. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

3 takeaways from NIU football’s first spring practice

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 27, 2025

NIU football kicked off its 15-practice spring schedule Thursday morning with a nearly two-hour session inside the Chessick Practice Center. The practice was open to the media and featured familiar and fresh faces on the roster and coaching staff.  As...

NIU football players run onto the field ahead of their non-conference game against North Carolina State University on Sept. 28 at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina. On Wednesday, NIU released its football schedule for the 2025 season, which will be its last in the Mid-American Conference. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

MAC farewell tour: NIU unveils 2025 football schedule

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | March 5, 2025

DeKALB – With its final season in the Mid-American Conference on the horizon, NIU released its 2025 football schedule Wednesday, which features matchups with two Power Four opponents and both of last season’s MAC championship contenders. NIU, who...

A graphic shows the three highest paid employees at NIU. The Northern Star's Salary Issue includes the salaries of all full-time employees. (Anthony Becker | Northern Star)

How NIU decides its salaries

By Brynn Krug, Editor in Chief | February 23, 2025

In Northern Illinois University’s budget, personnel costs account for 55.77% of the funds.  The salaries of NIU’s employees have increased by 4% to 9% each year, according to John Acardo, senior associate vice president and chief human resource...

Then-University of Charleston head coach Quinn Sanders looks on from the sideline during a Mountain East Conference game between Charleston and West Virginia State University on Nov. 16 at UC Stadium at Laidley Field in Charleston, West Virginia. NIU announced the hire of Sanders as its offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tuesday. (Courtesy of University of Charleston Athletics)

NIU football hires Quinn Sanders as new offensive coordinator

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 14, 2025

DeKALB – Following the departure of several assistant coaches – including all three coordinators, NIU football has made its first big hire of the offseason. The Huskies have hired former University of Charleston head coach Quinn Sanders to be their...

Members of the NIU football team celebrate, posing for a picture after defeating Fresno State University 28-20 on Monday in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The win improved NIU to a 2-1 bowl record under Hammock’s leadership. (Kenna Harbison | Boise State University Athletics)

Josh Holst leads NIU to double overtime victory in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 23, 2024

Three weeks after closing out a regular season that saw NIU pull off one of the largest upsets in college football history, the Huskies put a bow on their up-and-down season with a double overtime thriller in their final game of 2024. The Huskies (8-5,...

NIU football players celebrate and sing the “Huskie Fight Song” after their 24-16 win against Central Michigan University on Nov. 30. NIU will conclude the 2024 season at the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl on Dec. 23 in Boise, Idaho, facing off Fresno State in a rematch of the 2010 Humanitarian Bowl. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU football to face Fresno State in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 8, 2024

DeKALB – After finishing the regular season 7-5 to secure its first winning season since 2021, it was announced Sunday that NIU football (7-5, 4-4 MAC) will face off against the Fresno State Bulldogs (6-6, 4-3 MWC) in the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl...

NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock (left) hypes up his players before they run onto the field for a game against the University at Buffalo on Sept. 21 at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Hammock added 19 freshmen and two transfers to NIU’s 2025 signing class on the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period Wednesday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU inks 18 freshmen, 2 transfers on National Signing Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 5, 2024

DeKALB – As NIU waits to learn its bowl game destination, head coach Thomas Hammock built for his team’s future by signing 18 freshmen and two transfers on the first day of the early signing period Wednesday. The 2025 recruiting class – Hammock’s...

Senior defensive back Jashon Prophete (1) holds a bone in the air in front of his teammates after NIU football's 24-16 win against the Central Michigan University Chippewas on Saturday. The Huskies celebrated senior night during their final game of the regular season on Saturday and celebrated 30 seniors, 20 of which have spent their whole college career at NIU. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU thwarts Central Michigan, freezing temps on Senior Day

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | December 1, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU football team overcame below freezing temperatures Saturday night at Huskie Stadium to defeat Central Michigan University 24-16 and send its 30 graduating seniors off with one final victory at home. The Huskies (7-5, 4-4 MAC) rushed...

NIU senior defensive tackle Devonte O’Malley (8) and redshirt senior tight end Tristen Tewes (82) wield flags as they lead the Huskies onto the field before kickoff of NIU’s 29-16 win against the University of Akron on Nov. 13 at Huskie Stadium. O’Malley and Tewes will be among the 30 seniors honored before Saturday’s home finale against Central Michigan University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU seeks strong home finish in Senior Day clash

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 27, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU football team will close out the regular season Saturday against longtime foe Central Michigan University as the largest senior class in team history prepares to play in front of the home crowd one last time. Fresh off a 20-9 loss...

Miami University redshirt sophomore wide receiver Javon Tracy (11) runs after the catch as NIU redshirt freshman safety Santana Banner (15) approaches to make a tackle during Tuesday night’s Mallory Cup rivalry game at Fred C. Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio. Banner was ejected from the game for targeting near the end of the second quarter as the Huskies suffered their fourth consecutive loss to the RedHawks. (Courtesy of Miami Athletics)

Huskies stifled by RedHawks in rivalry loss at Miami (Ohio)

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 20, 2024

NIU football struggled in every phase of the game Tuesday night as the Huskies fell short against the Miami University RedHawks in a 20-9 loss at Fred C. Yager Stadium in Oxford, Ohio. With the loss, NIU failed to earn their first claim of the Mallory...

Green Bay Packers defensive lineman James Ester (65) stands at the line of scrimmage during the Packers’ preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on Aug. 24 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Ester is midway through his rookie season in the NFL after being signed by the Packers as a undrafted free agent in April. (Evan Siegle | Green Bay Packers)

James Ester learning lessons in first pro season

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | November 19, 2024

It was only a year ago when James Ester was regularly tearing through opposing offensive lines as the leading man on NIU’s defense. His veteran experience made him a respected voice in the Huskies’ locker room.  Now, Ester is back to being the...

Redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) turns and prepares to hand the ball to redshirt senior running back Gavin Williams (21) on Wednesday at Huskie Stadium. NIU football will play the Miami University RedHawks on Tuesday, seeking to bring the Mallory Cup to NIU for the first time since it was created in 2018. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU to play Miami (Ohio) for Mallory Cup in road finale

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

DeKALB – Coming off a win that made NIU bowl eligible for the third time in four seasons, the Huskies will be on the road for the final time of the regular season when they visit the reigning Mid-American Conference champion Miami University. The...

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