NIU Takes on Nebraska in Saturday Night Showcase

  DOG TREATS  

• NIU performs its second non-conference highway sport of the season Saturday when the Huskies tackle Nebraska for the third time within the final seven seasons. 
• The Huskies have began the season 1-1 for the fourth time within the final 5 seasons after defeating Boston School, 27-24, within the season opener and falling to Southern Illinois, 14-11, final week within the dwelling opener. 
• NIU’s 2023 roster contains three Nebraska natives in addition to three (totally different) gamers who noticed motion within the 2019 sport between these groups. 
• NIU 27-24 additional time win at Boston School marked its 18th “Boneyard Win” since 1983, and second over an ACC opponent in a season opener within the final three years. 
• Huskie alum and 2022 NIU Athletics Corridor of Fame inductee Thomas Hammock is in his fifth season on the helm of the NIU program in 2023. He guided the Huskies to the 2021 MAC Championship. 
• The “Voice of the Huskies” – radio play-by-play broadcaster Invoice Baker – will retire following the 2023 soccer season, his forty fourth behind the mic for NIU. The Nebraska sport is Baker’s 510th NIU soccer broadcast. 
• The Huskies have eight wins all-time versus Huge Ten opponents with six of these coming within the final 13 conferences. 
• There are 25 gamers – eight returnees and 17 newcomers – on the 2023 NIU roster who began their careers elsewhere; 18 have seen motion for the Huskies this season. 
• Quarterback Rocky Lombardi is in his seventh collegiate seasons, and third season at NIU, in 2023. He threw for 297 yards on 23-of-38 passing final week versus Southern Illinois for essentially the most passing yards since November of 2021. 
• The Huskie protection is permitting 19 factors and 266.5 yards of complete offense per sport by way of the primary two video games of 2023, almost 24 factors and 192 yards fewer than a 12 months in the past. 
• During the last 15 years – since 2008 – each freshman class has left NIU with not less than one MAC Championship. The Huskies’ 5 MAC Championship sport victories are greater than some other present league member and NIU has made a file 9 appearances within the sport.  
• The Huskies had been ranked third within the West Division within the Mid-American Convention Preseason Coaches Ballot. See the whole ballot on web page 2.
• Subsequent: NIU returns dwelling to face Tulsa on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Huskie Stadium. The sport will kickoff at 11 a.m. (CT) on CBS Sports activities Community.  

  NIU FOOTBALL FACTS  
Primary Offense/Protection: A number of/4-2-5
First 12 months of Soccer: 1899
2022 Document/MAC Document/End: 3-9/2-6/sixth
All-Time Document: 605-522-51
Final Bowl Recreation: 2021 Tailgreeter Remedy Bowl (Coastal Carolina 47, NIU 41)
Bowl Appearances (FBS): 14
MAC Championship Appearances, Final: 9, 2021
MAC Championships, Final: 6, 2021
Letterwinners Returning/Misplaced: 49/27
Starters Returning: 17 (8 offense, 7 protection, 2 specialist)
Starters Misplaced: 11 (4 offense, 6 protection, 1 specialist)
 

HUSKERS’ FACTS
Head Coach (Alma Mater/12 months): Matt Rhule (Penn State, 1997)
Document at Nebraska/Years: 0-2/1st
Profession Document/Years: 47-45/eighth
2022 Document: 4-8
Convention Document/End: 3-6/sixth Huge Ten West
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
Enrollment: 23,805
Convention: Huge Ten
Colours: Scarlet and Cream 
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Floor/Capability: FieldTurf/83,406
Chancellor: Rodney Bennett
Athletic Director: Trev Alberts
Athletics Web site: Huskers.com
Twitter: @HuskerFootball

Nebraska Schedule & Outcomes

 

  FOLLOW THE HUSKIES  

TV: NIU AT NEBRASKA on FS1

• NIU makes its third look all-time on FS1.
• The Huskies’ solely earlier video games broadcast on FS1 had been the 2017 and 2019 video games at Nebraska.
• The sport can also be out there on cellular units utilizing the Fox Sports activities app.
• Jeff Levering (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (coloration analyst) shall be on the decision for FS1 Saturday evening.

RADIO: HUSKIE SPORT NETWORK

• The Huskie Sports activities Radio Community protection for the Nebraska sport begins 90 minutes earlier than kickoff, at 4:30 p.m. (CT), on 94-9 WDKB with the Toyota Pre-Recreation Tailgate Present.
• Protection on NIU community affiliate SportsFan AM 1330 and on The Varsity Community app begins half-hour earlier than the sport, at 5:30 pm (CT).
• Hear the printed on cellular units through the free NIU Huskies cellular app or The Varsity Community app. 
• Invoice Baker begins his forty fourth and closing season (see be aware) because the radio play-by-play “Voice of the Huskies.” Coloration analyst Mark Lindo is alongside for the the thirty ninth consecutive season, whereas Andy Garcia begins his eleventh 12 months on the sidelines. 

INSIDE HUSKIE FOOTBALL RADIO SHOW

• Followers are invited to attend the one-hour weekly present each Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Fatty’s Pub & Grille in DeKalb (1312 W. Lincoln Hwy).
• Hear dwell on the NIU Huskies or The Varsity Community cellular app and listen to the present dwell on 94-9 WDKB and on SportsFan AM 1330 in Rockford.
• Host Andy Garcia welcomes NIU Head Coach Thomas Hammock every week, together with Huskie gamers and particular friends. 

NIU WEEKLY ON YOUTUBE

• Host Andy Garcia talks NIU soccer, basketball and extra with the Huskie head coaches and directors, together with a weekly highlight on Huskie Soccer. Get all the most recent information and updates on this fast-paced 30 minute present.
• Additionally, hear from Huskie legend Invoice Baker in every episode with a particular “Trying Again with Invoice Baker” phase.  
• Watch new episodes on the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel on Thursdays. 

NIU ATHLETICS ON YOUTUBE

• See weekly and post-game press conferences, particular options, sport highlights, NIU Weekly and extra.
• Subscribe for FREE and click on the bell to be notified each time NIU posts a brand new video.
• Search “NIU Athletics” on YouTube or go to YouTube.com/NIUAthleticsOfficial. 
• Archived movies and highlights, replays of a number of the best video games in class historical past and particular options are additionally out there 24/7 on YouTube.  

NIU HUSKIES MOBILE APP

• Obtain the free NIU Huskies cellular app from the Apple Retailer or Google Play.
• Hyperlink to the NIU radio broadcasts, dwell stats, full staff rosters, digital sport packages and extra.
• Connect with the NIU social media channels and join notifications on any Huskie staff.

  NOTING NIU  

WE’RE BA-AACK: NIU (1-1) travels to Lincoln, Nebraska for the third time previously seven years to tackle the Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-2). All three of the newest conferences within the collection have come within the third sport on the schedule. NIU is coming off a 14-11 loss to in-state foe Southern Illinois in its 2023 dwelling opener, whereas Nebraska performs its first dwelling sport of the season this week.  

HUSKIES AND HUSKERS: Saturday’s assembly between NIU and Nebraska would be the fifth all-time between the 2 faculties with each sport performed in Lincoln. The Huskies defeated Nebraska, 21-17, on Sept. 16, 2017 to assert one of many largest “Boneyard” wins in its historical past. The Cornhuskers avenged the loss with a 44-8 win over the Huskies on Sept. 14, 2019 in Thomas Hammock‘s preliminary season. Nebraska defeated NIU 48-17 in 1989 and 60-14 in 1990.

THE LAST MEETING: Nebraska rushed for 238 yards to the Huskies’ 74 and racked up 525 yards of complete offense whereas preserving NIU out of the tip zone in a 44-8 win on Sept. 14, 2019. NIU’s factors got here on two area objectives and a security, regardless of twice advancing contained in the NU 10-yard line within the second half. Nebraska constructed a 30-5 halftime lead in a half that featured punts fumbled, blocked and faked (unsuccessfully), an onside kick, area objectives and PATs blocked and explosive performs by the Cornhuskers. Nebraska averaged 7.2 yards per rush with a pair of 60 yard runs within the sport. NIU quarterback Ross Bowers accomplished 25-of-44 passes for 248 yards to 12 totally different Huskies. 

ABOUT LAST WEEK: Regardless of a robust effort by the Huskie protection, which held Southern Illinois to 12 first downs, 71 speeding yards thanks to 5 quarterback sacks and 1-of-11 third down conversions, the NIU offense stopped itself with three interceptions, together with two within the fourth quarter and two missed area objectives, permitting SIU to earn a 14-11 win at Huskie Stadium. The Salukis took a 14-0 lead earlier than NIU got here again to attain on a 27-yard area objective by Jake Seibert and a 62-yard landing go from Rocky Lombardi to Kacper Rutkiewicz, adopted by a two-point PAT, early within the fourth quarter.     

FILLING THE BONEYARD: With its 27-24 additional time win over Boston School within the 2023 season opener, NIU earned its 18th “Boneyard Win,” outlined as wins over outstanding opponents and groups from leagues now designated?as “Energy 5.” The Boneyard custom started in 1983 and NIU has collected 10 Boneyard Wins within the final 15 years, together with in back-to-back video games versus ACC opponents and in 2017 at Nebraska. All-time, the Huskies have Boneyard Wins over groups from the ACC (4), SEC (1), Huge 12 (5) and Huge Ten (7), in addition to over impartial BYU. 

AGAINST THE B1G: Six of NIU’s eight Huge Ten wins all-time have come within the Huskies’ final 13 video games versus groups from that league, together with its most up-to-date victory over a Huge Ten opponent at Nebraska on Sept. 16, 2017. The Huskies have misplaced their final three video games versus Huge Ten groups – at Iowa (2018), at Nebraska (2019) and at Michigan (2021). NIU is 8-39-1 all-time versus groups that presently make up the Huge Ten Convention and has confronted not less than one Huge Ten opponent in 12 of the final 15 seasons (with no non-conference video games performed in 2020).   

HOMEWARD BOUND: This sport marks a homecoming for 3 Nebraska natives on the NIU roster in junior defensive sort out Cade Haberman (Blair/Westside HS)and a pair of redshirt freshman teammates from Omaha and Millard South Excessive College, linebacker Jake Gassaway and operating again Christian Nash. As well as, cornerback Gabriel Amegatcher – an Illinois native – transferred to NIU for his senior season after  5 years at Nebraska-Kearney. 

BEEN HERE BEFORE: 4 Huskies shall be making their second journey to Memorial Stadium. Defensive linemen James Ester and Demond Taylor Jr., tight finish Tristen Tewes and offensive sort out Nolan Potter had been all on the journey squad for the 2019 NIU-Nebraska sport. Ester and Demond Taylor noticed motion within the sport as true freshmen as did Potter in his redshirt freshman season.   

HE LOOKS FAMILIAR: Whereas a lot of the rosters of each groups have turned over for the reason that groups’ final assembly in 2019, one participant on Nebraska’s roster has more moderen expertise with the Huskies. NU quarterback Jeff Sims was the beginning QB for Georgia Tech on Sept. 4, 2021 when the Huskies pulled out a 22-21 win over the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta on a landing and two-point conversion with 38 seconds to play. Sims accomplished 4-of-9 passes for 23 yards and ran six instances for 34 yards with a fumble misplaced earlier than leaving the sport with 9 minutes to play within the second quarter on account of harm.  

  

OPENING DAY W: NIU opened the 2023 season with a 27-24 win at Boston School as Rocky Lombardi scored on a quarterback sneak in additional time after the Huskie protection held Boston School to a 39-yard area objective in its OT interval. The Huskies led 7-0 at halftime and took a 14-0 lead on the opening drive of the third quarter. BC lower the lead in half after recovering a fumble on the NIU 25, and the groups traded touchdowns to begin the fourth quarter earlier than the Eagles tied the sport with 1:44 to play on a six-play, 83-yard drive. Antario Brown scored touchdowns speeding and receiving, the latter on a go from fellow operating again Justin Lynch.  

DOGS IN OT: NIU’s season opening win at Boston School in additional time marked the Huskies’ tenth, bettering its all-time additional time file to 10-5. The Huskies have now gained 5 of their final six additional time video games after its four-game successful streak in OT was snapped at Ball State final 12 months. NIU is 4-3 in additional time video games on the highway and is 1-0 in impartial web site OT video games. The Huskies have gained three of 4 additional time video games versus non-conference opponents and are 7-4 when MAC video games go to additional durations.  

LAND OF LINCOLN LEADERS: Since 2010, NIU is the winningest soccer program amongst Illinois’ seven Division I soccer packages. The Huskies are 1-1 versus in-state FBS packages with a 2014 win over Northwestern and a 2010 loss at Illinois, and are 4-1 versus in-state FCS opponents during the last 12 seasons, together with wins over Illinois State (2019) and Japanese Illinois (2022) below Thomas Hammock. 

Illinois’ Division I Colleges Since 2010

HUSKIE LEGEND: The 2023 season marks the forty fourth and closing 12 months behind the mic for the “Voice of the Huskies,” legendary play-by-play man Invoice Baker. Baker will name his 510th soccer sport this week, and has missed only one soccer sport since calling his preliminary sport between the Huskies and Lengthy Seashore State in Anaheim, Calif. on Sept. 5, 1980. He additionally has referred to as greater than 1,200 NIU basketball video games – together with a number of years when he referred to as each males’s and girls’s video games. Baker, who ranks tied for sixth in longevity for FBS play-by-play voices, was honored throughout halftime of the Huskies’ 2023 dwelling opener versus Southern Illinois on Sept. 9. 

WATCH-LISTED: 5 Huskies had been named to preseason watch lists in 2023. Operating again Antario Brown earned a spot on the Doak Walker Award Watch Listing for the second consecutive 12 months. Broad receiver/return man Trayvon Rudolph was on the Paul Hornung Award record, whereas defensive sort out Devonte O’Malley and offensive sort out Nolan Potter had been named to the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy Watch Lists, respectively. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi earned a spot on the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch Listing. 

THEY’RE ALL HUSKIES NOW: Transfers are a lifestyle in school soccer in 2023 and NIU added 16 new transfers this offseason to the eight returnees who began their collegiate careers elsewhere. NIU attracted gamers from almost each stage of school soccer from junior faculties to “Energy 5” and Group of 5 faculties, HBCUs, FCS, Division II and Division III. Seventeen of the switch Huskies have performed and 7 have began not less than one sport. The record of transfers who’ve performed with returning gamers in daring and profession NIU video games began below GS. 

No.    Identify    Pos.    Elig.    GS    Hometown (Earlier College)    

16    Gabriel Amegatcher    CB    Sr.-R        Romeoville, Unwell. (Nebraska-Kearney)

81    Grayson Barnes    WR    Jr.        Rocklin, Calif. (American River CC)

11    Chris Carter    TE    Jr.    1    Detroit, Mich. (Howard)

12    Shaad Dabney    CB    Jr.        Atlanta, Ga. (Kansas)

98    Tom Foley    P    Jr.-R    2    Peoria, Unwell. (Minnesota)

23    DaRon Gilbert    LB    Sr.    2    Detroit, Mich. (Lafayette)

58    Skyler Gill-Howard    DT    So.-R        Milwaukee, Wis. (Higher Iowa)

0    Tyler Jackson    LB    Sr.-R        Alief, Texas (Lamar)

12    Rocky Lombardi    QB    Sr.-R    17    Clive, Iowa (Michigan State)

5    Justin Lynch    RB    Jr.    3    Chicago, Unwell. (Temple)

9    Davis Patterson    WR    Sr.-R        Arlington, Va. (Notre Dame School)

37    Joey Rattin    LB    Jr.        Palatine, Unwell. (Higher Iowa)

8    Kacper Rutkiewicz    WR    Sr.        Mount Prospect, Unwell. (Illinois State)

28    Nevaeh Sanders    DE    Jr.        Flint, Mich. (Iowa Western CC)

30    Jake Seibert    Okay    So.-R    2    Cincinnati, Ohio (Ohio State)    

32    Quinn Urwiler    LB    Jr.-R        Mooseheart, Unwell. (North Dakota)

9    Nate Valcarcel    S    Jr.    2    Greenfield, Wis. (South Dakota)

21    Gavin Williams    RB    Jr.-R        Altoona, Iowa (Iowa)

SOLID START: The Huskie protection has put collectively a pair of stable performances to open the season, permitting opponents to common 15.5 first downs, 158.0 passing yards, 19 factors and simply 266.5 yards of complete offense per sport. Examine to final 12 months’s opponents’ averages of twenty-two.25 first downs, 252.8 passing yards, 32.8 factors and 395.7 yards per sport.  After SIU transformed simply 1 of 11 third downs, NIU presently ranks first within the MAC and eleventh nationally in third down conversion proportion protection. The Huskie protection shut out Boston School for the primary half final Saturday, the primary shutout half for NIU for the reason that first half of the 2021 MAC Championship Recreation versus Kent State (12/4/2021) and the Huskies compelled BC to punt seven instances, a mark reached simply as soon as in 2022. 

SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION: After two seasons taking part in a hybrid tight finish/huge receiver place for NIU, redshirt sophomore George Gumbs made the transition to the defensive aspect of the ball following 2023 spring practices. He moved up the depth chart at defensive finish all through preseason practices, noticed his first motion on the place within the season opener at Boston School and recorded his first profession sacks with 1.5 takedowns versus Southern Illinois. 

MAKING AN IMPACT: Via two video games, first and second 12 months transfers have accounted for 27 of the Huskies’ 37 receptions on the 12 months, led by second 12 months Huskie Kacper Rutkiewicz (Illinois State) with 11 catches for 185 yards and newcomers Chris Carter (5-100) and Gavin Williams (5-32). Operating again Williams, a switch from Iowa, additionally ranks second on the staff in speeding with 17 carries for 71 yards. Notre Dame School switch Davis Patterson added the primary three catches of his NIU profession versus Southern Illinois and Grayson Barnes (American River CC) has made three grabs for 40 yards.

KACPER CONNECTION: Senior Kacper Rutkiewicz has developed into Rocky Lombardi’s prime goal by way of two video games in 2023 with 11 catches for 185 yards, together with a profession excessive six-catch, 139-yard day versus Southern Illinois. Rutkiewicz’ complete ranks because the second most receiving yards within the MAC this season and included a 62-yard landing, the ninth of his NIU profession.   

DUAL THREAT BACK: Operating again Antario Brown scored the Huskies’ first two touchdowns of the season versus Boston School, on a seven-yard catch and run within the second quarter, and on a two-yard rush within the third. Brown is the primary NIU again to attain touchdowns each receiving and speeding in the identical sport since Jordan Huff versus Ball State in 2017 (Nov. 9). Brown’s receiving landing was the primary of his NIU profession and got here on his second profession catch. He has scored 14 complete touchdowns in 20 video games during the last three seasons.

PAVING THE WAY: NIU returned six offensive linemen who began not less than seven video games a 12 months in the past and the group got here into the season with 118 profession begins which ranked first amongst all FBS beginning offensive traces. Junior Logan Zschernitz, who has not performed this season on account of harm, and sixth-year senior offensive sort out Nolan Potter lead all Huskies with 32 profession begins. Junior utility man J.J. Lippe, who began video games at guard, sort out and middle a 12 months in the past, enters the Nebraska sport with 23 profession begins whereas junior John Champe has began 17 video games. The “teen” of the group is sophomore middle Pete Nygra who began 11 video games a 12 months in the past. Junior Evan Buss stepped into the left sort out spot and began 9 video games there in 2022. Probably the most skilled beginning models within the FBS heading into 2023:   

Profession OL Begins (Getting into the Season)    

    1.    NIU – 118

    2.    Kansas State – 116

    3.    West Virginia – 111

    4.    Clemson and Duke – 95

NIU Returning Starters Present Profession Begins (contains 2023)

1.    Logan Zschernitz* and Nolan Potter – 32

3.    J.J. Lippe – 23

4.    John Champe – 17

5.    Pete Nygra – 13

6.    Evan Buss – 11

TOTAL –  128

VERSATILITY: The flexibility of NIU fullback Brock Lampe and operating again Justin Lynch was on show at Boston School as Lampe served as a lead blocker whereas lined up at tight finish, a ballcarrier with three third down conversion runs and a one-yard landing, and a receiver with two catches for 28 yards. The second, a one-handed seize, put NIU contained in the Eagles’ 10-yard line in additional time. Lynch carried the ball 3 times for 12 yards, was focused as a receiver and, threw a seven-yard landing go to Antario Brown off a direct snap. To not point out they each play particular groups.   

RUT ON THE RETURN: In simply two video games and on simply two returns, new punt return man Kacper Rutkiewicz has surpassed NIU’s 2022 staff complete for punt return yards. NIU completed the 2022 season with six punt returns for 13 yards. Versus Southern Illinois, Rutkiewicz returned two punts for 37 yards on returns of 19 and 18 yards. His 19-yard return within the second quarter is NIU’s longest since Tyrice Richie’s 23-yard punt return versus Toledo in 2021.  

TWICE AS NICE: In 46 video games below Thomas Hammock, the Huskies have tried 23 two level conversions and been profitable on 11, the most recent within the fourth quarter versus SIU when Trayvon Rudolph hit quarterback Rocky Lombardi to tug NIU inside three factors within the fourth quarter. NIU is 2-for-4 on two-point makes an attempt speeding and is 9-of-19 passing on two-pointers since 2019. Trayvon  Rudolph’s accomplished conversion go was the second of his profession in 4 makes an attempt. Huskie two-pointers year-by-year below Hammock. 

 

WELCOME BACK: Trayvon Rudolph and Rocky Lombardi have returned to the Huskie offense in 2023 after lacking all (Rudolph) or most (Lombardi) of the 2022 season.. Rudolph is again after catching a team-leading 51 passes for 892 yards and 7 touchdowns in 2021 whereas Lombardi led NIU to the 2021 MAC Championship whereas throwing for two,597 yards on 200-of-343 passing with 15 touchdowns and speeding for 473 yards and 9 touchdowns. He performed in 4 video games in 2022 and was granted a seventh season through a medical redshirt. Lombardi performed each snap and scored the game-winning landing in additional time at Boston School, and threw for 297 yards, his highest complete since breaking the varsity file with 532 yards versus Kent State in 2021, final week versus Southern Illinois. Rudolph has caught 4 passes for 29 yards. 

GRADS: NIU’s 2023 roster contains 17 gamers who’ve already earned their undergraduate levels – both at NIU or from one other establishment. James Ester (DT), Tom Foley (P), J.J. Lippe (OL), Nolan Potter (OT), Kacper Rutkiewicz (WR), Demond Taylor Jr. (DT) and Tristen Tewes (TE) are all Huskie graduates whereas transfers Gabe Amegatcher (CB), Keshon Artis (LB), Chris Carter (TE), Kendrell Flowers (RB), DaRon Gilbert (LB), Tyler Jackson (LB), C.J. Jordan (QB), Rocky Lombardi (QB), Gavin Patrick (TE) and Davis Patterson (WR) all arrived at NIU with their bachelor’s levels. 

LEADERS OF THE PACK: 5 gamers had been named 2023 everlasting staff captains this week. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi, offensive sort out Nolan Potter, security C.J. Brown, linebacker Jaden Dolphin and defensive sort out James Ester had been chosen in voting by the Huskie staff. Lombardi and Ester had been named captains for the third consecutive season, whereas Potter is in his second 12 months within the position. They are going to be joined by a distinct teammate chosen every sport.

THE POWER OF THREE: Through the years, good issues have occurred for NIU Soccer in years which have ended within the quantity “3”. 

• The 1963 Huskies completed 10-0, gained the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Convention championship and had been voted School Division Nationwide Champions by the Related Press.
• In 1983, NIU gained its first Mid-American Convention Championship and completed the season with a 10-2 file after successful its first bowl sport as a “Main School” (now FBS) program.
• In 1993, operating again LeShon Johnson led the NCAA Division I-A in speeding with 1,976 yards on 327 carries with 2,028 all-purpose yards to grow to be the primary consensus All-American in class historical past; Johnson completed sixth within the Heisman Trophy voting.  
• The 2003 Huskies defeated No. 15 Maryland (20-13 OT), No. 21 Alabama (19-16) and Iowa State (24-16) to open the season and had been ranked as excessive as No. 12 within the nation (AP) behind eventual All-Professional operating again Michael Turner. 
• Quarterback and Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch completed third in voting for the Trophy in 2013. He earned AP All-America honors after main NIU to an undefeated common season, setting NCAA quarterback information for speeding (1,920) and touchdowns (23).

NEW FACES: NIU welcomed 4 new members to the Huskie teaching workers in 2023. Cornerbacks coach D.J. Bland, tight ends coach Cory White, linebackers coach and particular groups coordinator Adam Breske, and operating backs coach and passing sport coordinator Wesley Beschorner are the most recent members of the NIU workers. Bland joined the Huskies from Japanese Illinois, White was at San Diego and Breske got here to NIU from Washington State. Beschorner was the top coach at Wisconsin-Eau Claire for the final three seasons.

HUSKIE DEBUTS: Sixteen of the 61 Huskies who performed at Boston School had been making their NIU debuts. The group included 11 transfers (10 new, 1 returning), redshirt freshmen Malik Armstrong (WR), Jalen Johnson (WR) and Evan Malcore (OL), redshirt sophomore Luke Pinnick (OL) and true freshman Santana Banner (S). 5 gamers recorded their first begins in a Huskie uniform at BC: Chris Carter (TE) and DaRon Gilbert (LB), sophomores Roy Williams (DE) and Izzy Ozoh (TE) and  junior Nate Valcarcel (S), whereas receiver Davis Patterson obtained his first begin at Southern Illinois.

FIRSTS: A number of Huskies have recorded profession “firsts” up to now in 2023, together with three touchdowns by NIU veterans. Junior operating again Antario Brown collected his first receiving landing, fullback Brock Lampe scored his first landing (speeding) at Boston School whereas additionally incomes his first carries and Justin Lynch threw his first landing go as a Huskie. Newcomers Chris Carter and Grayson Barnes caught their first passes in a NIU uniform. Versus Southern Illinois, receivers Davis Patterson and Jalen Johnson caught their first passes as Huskies.  Defensively, cornerback JaVaughn Byrd’s third quarter interception at BC was the primary of his profession whereas sophomore defensive ends Roy Williams (at Boston School) and George Gumbs (versus SIU) tallied their first profession sacks.

COAST TO COAST: The Huskies’ 2023 roster contains gamers from 18 totally different states stretching from coast to coast, in addition to Canada. Among the many newcomers on the roster are gamers from California, Oregon and Texas. Georgia has outpaced Florida with 12 Peach state natives in comparison with 5 from the Sunshine State.

OFF THE FIELD: Huskie kicker Kanon Woodill is a member of the ROTC program at NIU. Over the summer season, the Huskies as soon as once more participated in a Habitat for Humanity construct in Rockford, Illinois, the second 12 months in a row the staff has collectively participated.