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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

NIU football players run onto the field of Huskie Stadium before their game against Eastern Michigan University on Oct. 21, 2023. Head coach Thomas Hammock previewed the 2024 regular season at the Pre-Spring Press Conference. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Hammock previews NIU spring football, position competitions

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | March 31, 2024

NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock spoke to the media at the NIU Football 2024 Pre-Spring Press Conference. In case you missed it, here are the biggest takeaways from Hammock's 22 minutes at the podium.  EMPHASIS ON SPECIAL TEAMS  Hammock...

Then-senior linebacker Tyler Jackson (0) lines up behind then-redshirt sophomore George Gumbs Jr. and then-junior defensive tackle Cade Haberman in an NIU football home game against Ohio University on Oct. 14, 2023. NIU footballs 2024 schedule was released Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU finalizes 2024 football schedule

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | March 6, 2024

DeKALB – The NIU football team is set to face a pair of Power Five opponents in the University of Notre Dame and North Carolina State University in its 2024 schedule announced by NIU and the Mid-American Conference Tuesday. NIU will play six games...

University of Tulsa special teams unit pushes against NIU punt cover during Saturday games. Tulsa beat the Huskies 22-14. (Nyla Owens | Northern Star)

Football begins MAC play against defending champs

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | September 28, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football (1-3) has an opportunity for a fresh start Saturday against the University of Toledo Rockets (3-1, 1-0 MAC) in the Huskies’ first conference game of the 2023 season.  The Huskies lost their third consecutive game on Saturday...

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, 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...

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...

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 has added Wesley Beschorner (left) and Adam Breske to NIUs coaching staff.

NIU adds Beschorner, Breske to coaching staff

By Northern Star Sports Staff | January 31, 2023

DeKALB – NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock announced Tuesday that NIU has added Wesley Beschorner and Adam Breske to its coaching staff. Beschorner will coach NIU’s running backs and serve as the passing game coordinator. Beske will coach...

Redshirt senior running back Clint Ratkovich runs down the field during NIUs game on Sept. 11 at Huskie Stadium against Wyoming.

Former ‘superback’ Ratkovich lands with Falcons

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | December 27, 2022
Eight months after tearing his ACL during a pre-draft workout, former NIU running back Clint Ratkovich has found his first NFL home: The Atlanta Falcons.
University of Akron redshirt junior wide receiver Daniel George fails to make a catch against NIU redshirt freshman safety Devin Lafayette early in the second quarter during the game on Saturday.

Akron clobbers NIU, upsets Huskies’ senior sendoff

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | November 27, 2022
NIU football wrapped up its tumultuous 2022 season with a blowout loss at home against the conference bottom-dweller Akron.