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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

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 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...

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...

Senior running back Antario Brown (1) races to the endzone for an 83-yard touchdown reception. NIU football defeated the University of Notre Dame, who ranked No. 5 in the nation, by a score of 16-14 Saturday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU topples No. 5 Notre Dame in historic upset

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | September 7, 2024

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – On the eve of NIU football’s first-ever matchup with the University of Notre Dame on a national stage, head coach Thomas Hammock had a dream. “This game’s going to come down to a field goal,” Hammock said he told his coaches. By...

NIU senior running back Antario Brown (1) runs through an open gap in the Western Illinois University defensive line Saturday at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. Brown finished with eight carries for 69 yards in NIU’s 54-15 blowout victory. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

‘It’s just another game:’ NIU readies for clash with No. 5 Notre Dame

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

DeKALB – Fresh off a resounding win in its season opener, NIU football is gearing up for its next big test: A road game against a top-five ranked opponent at one of the most iconic venues in college football in front of a national audience. This...

Redshirt-senior wide receiver Trayvon Rudolph (3) is lifted up in celebration after a touchdown Saturday at Huskie Stadium. Rudolph scored two touchdowns in the first half as NIU defeated Western Illinois University 54-15. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

NIU football pummels Western Illinois in Hampton’s stellar debut

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 31, 2024

DeKALB – NIU football produced one of the best offensive performances in school history Saturday in a 54-15 beatdown of the Western Illinois University Leathernecks at Huskie Stadium, all while led by its newly-named starting quarterback. NIU head...

NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock speaks to the media during a press conference Tuesday in the McCareins Auditorium inside the Yordon Center. Hammock will lead the Huskies against Western Illinois University on Saturday in NIU’s season opener at Huskie Stadium. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU football set to clash with Western Illinois in 2024 opener

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | August 29, 2024

DeKALB – After an offseason of movements and preparation, college football returns to DeKalb this weekend as NIU plays host to an in-state foe to kick off the 2024 campaign. NIU and Western Illinois University will battle Saturday at Huskie Stadium...

NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock speaks to his players after the Huskies’ annual spring showcase on April 27. NIU enters the 2024 season as a dark-horse contender for the Mid-American Conference championship after tying for third in the league’s preseason coaches poll. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Football eyes title contention with senior-heavy roster

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

DeKALB – When it comes to building a program, NIU head football coach Thomas Hammock approaches his team as one would the caretaking of a Chinese bamboo tree. The subject of an often-cited parable about patience and development, the Chinese bamboo...

Redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Hampton (2) throws the ball during the Spring Showcase. Besides the Victor E. Fan Fest, fans tailgated in the various fields and parking lots near the Stadium. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Huskies show progress at annual Spring Showcase

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

The NIU football team concluded its spring practices Saturday with its annual Spring Showcase at Huskie Stadium, spending most of its two-hour afternoon workout in 11-on-11 scrimmage situations. NIU football head coach Thomas Hammock felt his team...

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, Former 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 football's 2024 schedule was released Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU finalizes 2024 football schedule

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior 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...