April 19, 2016

DeKALB, Ill. -- Northern Illinois University will hold its 110th Homecoming game, continuing the oldest Homecoming tradition in the state of Illinois and one of the oldest in the nation, on Saturday, October 22, 2016 when the NIU Huskies take on Buffalo at Huskie Stadium.

The 2016 Homecoming date announcement highlights the list of football gameday themes and preliminary promotions schedule for the 2016 NIU Football season announced Tuesday. NIU will play six home games in 2016, including five in DeKalb and the Huskie Chi-Town Showdown at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, marking the first football game ever played at the home of the Chicago White Sox.

After opening the season with consecutive road games, NIU's 2016 home opener on September 17 versus defending Mountain West Conference Champion San Diego State will be DeKalb County Day, as well as the Extra Yard for Teachers Game, which is part of a national promotion by the College Football Playoff (CFP) Foundation celebrating teachers across the country.

On September 24, the Huskies will play host to in-state foe Western Illinois for Band Day, Family Weekend and Scout Day, welcoming hundreds of guests from each of those groups to Huskie Stadium. The October 15 game versus Central Michigan has been designated the Huskies' annual Breast Cancer Awareness game. In addition to Homecoming on October 22, NIU will welcome youth football teams to the Buffalo contest as part of Youth Football Day.

The final game of the year at Huskie Stadium on Tuesday, Nov. 1 brings a familiar match-up to DeKalb as NIU will take on Bowling Green in a rematch of the last three MAC Championship games. The Huskies will celebrate Senior Night and has designated the nationally-televised game as its annual Faculty/Staff Appreciation contest.

The home schedule concludes on Wednesday, Nov. 9 with the Huskie Chi-Town Showdown versus Toledo at U.S. Cellular Field. The game is part of the 2016 season ticket package and has already drawn significant interest from alumni and fans in Chicago who want to see one of the top #MACtion rivalry games. For more information on that game, go to HuskieChiTownShowdown.com.

The best way to secure the best seats at the lowest prices for every home game in both DeKalb and in Chicago is by purchasing season tickets, on sale now through the NIU Athletics Ticket Office in the Convocation Center, online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets and by calling 815-753-PACK (7225). Prices for 2016 season tickets begin as low as $99 for all six games, while the Huskie Family Pack, offering four tickets in sections A, B, F or G for just $299, is becoming increasingly popular as one of the best entertainment values in the area.

NIU season ticket members enjoy benefits like access to special events, a unique gift, priority seating and discounts on basketball and volleyball tickets. See the Season Ticket Guide/Order Form for more information on all of the season ticket options.

Fans can get a preview of the 2016 Huskies this Saturday at Huskie Stadium when the team takes the field for the annual Huskie Bowl beginning at 2 p.m. as the Cardinal and Black teams battle in a spring football scrimmage. The free event begins with the Communiversity Block Party at Noon and includes the Huskie baseball game versus Buffalo at 1 p.m. Click here for all of the details.

-- NIU --

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