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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 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...

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, Former 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...