DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Huskies open Mid-American Conference play this Saturday, September 15 at 2:30 p.m. in Huskie Stadium versus the Central Michigan Chippewas.
 
Again this year, NIU Athletics has worked to improve the gameday experience for all fans – through new and exciting promotions, changes to The Yard with more music, a new Rally Zone for students and fans on the east side, an enhanced End Zone Club, giveaways, new technology for the 50/50 raffle and more.
 
Season tickets (best value), three-game mini-plans featuring two Saturday and one weeknight #MACtion game of your choice, and single game tickets remain on sale at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225).  Order tickets to the CMU game online today and use the promo code "Family" or "Teacher" to receive a $10 discount.
 
Remember, NIU students are admitted FREE to every game with their OneCard (ID).  
 
See below for what you can expect at Huskie Stadium, both this Saturday, and at every game this year.  
 
PREGAME
*NEW* The Rally Zone – A new gathering place for students and young alumni located just off the East Grass between the Yordon Center and the East Stands, the Rally Zone will offer $3 pizza slices from Rosati's, a bag of chips for $1, $2 sodas and bottled water and $4 adult beverages. Stop by, hang out with friends prior to the game and then enter the East Stands directly from the Rally Zone. The Rally Zone opens three hours prior to game time and remains open through halftime.
 
The Yard – Located on the West Grass (for all Saturday games), The Yard is a free area with live music – this week, Red Woody - food and drink available for purchase, the Huskie Athletic Fund tent, Huskie gear for sale and more. Check out the Kids' Zone, the Family Weekend bags tournament, and stop by the sponsor table from Pepsi.
 
This week in The Yard, help the NIU Alumni Association celebrate Oktoberfest with some of Chicagoland's finest breweries from 12 to 2 p.m. The breweries include Pollyanna Brewing Co., Lagunitas Brewing Co., Church St. Brewing Co. and Two Brothers Artisan Brewing.  Seven different styles of beer will be offered for tasting. For $5, you may purchase five 2 ounce tastings or one large 12 ounce beer. On the day of the event, you can purchase - with cash only - four 2 ounce tastings for $5.  
 
The Yard opens at 11:30 a.m., and the Huskie Marching Band, Silverettes and Cheerleaders come through at 1 p.m. to fire up the crowd.  Be sure to head into the stadium in plenty of time for kickoff as The Yard closes 15 minutes before kickoff.
 
 
IN THE STADIUM
*NEW* Concessions Discount Stand – Located at the far south hallway on the West Side (below section A), this area will offer concessions, including adult beverages for $5 or less. Purchase $1 sodas, water and chips, $2 hot dogs, candy and popcorn.  Note, this pricing is only valid at the specified stand.
 
*NEW* East Side 21+ Seating Area – This new section of seating located in Section K on the East Side allows patrons seated on the East Side of the Stadium to enjoy their favorite adult beverages at regular concession stand prices.
 
*ENHANCED* End Zone Club – The End Zone Club, located in the south end zone below the videoboard, has been enhanced for 2018 with a climate-controlled trailer with televisions and restrooms, tables and chairs for seating, a viewing deck, concessions area and more.  For just $115, receive access to the East Side (general admission) seating and enjoy the amenities of the End Zone Club at every game this year.   
 
WIN $$$
 
*NEW* 50/50 Raffle, presented by Brad Manning Ford – Win big and help the Huskies win by purchasing tickets from the designated 50/50 raffle ticket sellers throughout the parking lots, in The Yard and inside the stadium on GameDay. NIU has gone to an updated, digitized format for this year's 50/50 raffle with the ability to track the growth of the pot in real time.  Receive a digital printout with your numbers, with the winning number announced in the fourth quarter of each game.
 
*NEW* Huskie 100s (NIU Students Only) – The more NIU students who attend football games this year, the more will win.  For every 1,000 students in the stands by the 10-minute mark of the first quarter, 10 will be selected to win $100 via a random drawing of student ID numbers. Swipe your OneCard at the gate and you are automatically entered, then watch the videoboard and listen to the PA announcements in the third quarter for the IDs numbers to be announced.  Meet the NIU Athletics representative with your OneCard to win!  
 
 
SPECIAL FOR SEPTEMBER 15   
 
Scout Day – This annual event brings scouts from across the region to Huskie Stadium.  

Honoring Teachers - In conjunction with the College Football Playoff Foundation, NIU will celebrate Extra Yard for Teachers Week by honoring several teachers from DeKalb County who the Huskies have selected to receive funding for classroom projects through the CFP Foundation, AND will ask all teachers in the stands to stand and be recognized during the game. 
 
 
FEATURED CONTESTS
 
Moneybags Challenge – A shuttle race for cash.  Pick up and drop your "moneybags" in the hole first to collect!
 
Sonic Mascot Race – Team up with Victor E. Huskie or Sonic Cherry Limeade in this relay race to win food and prizes from Sonic.
 
Vinny's Pizza Bubble Ball Battle – Best two-out-of-three wins in this knockdown contest.
 
Follett Fan of the Game – One lucky fan will win a gift card to the new Huskie Bookstore, courtesy of Follett.
 
Don't forget to pick up your Huskie Yearbook (annual publication) and your GameDay poster with rosters of both teams – this week featuring seniors Ty Harmston, Devin Webster and Max Scharping. The Huskie Yearbook includes a team photo, photos of every player, the coaching and support staffs, as well as stadium and historical information on NIU Football and is the same at every game.
 
 
WATCH AND LISTEN
 
The game can be viewed on ESPN+, ESPN's new direct-to-consumer video platform, available at a cost of $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year. ESPN+ is accessible via the ESPN App on both iOS and Android devices, desktop, and TV-connected devices such as Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, and Chromecast. ESPN+ is available for a seven-day free trial and can be used on up to five streaming devices simultaneously. Throughout the year, ESPN+ will carry hundreds of college and professional Matches on ESPN3 are available through the ESPN App and WatchESPN.com with pay television credentials.
 
On radio, listen to the Huskie Sports Radio Network broadcast of the game on WLBK AM 1360/FM 98.9 in DeKalb, on AM 560 The Answer in Chicago and on mobile devices via the TuneIn app.
 
 
For complete stadium information, parking maps and more, see the Huskie Stadium Fan Guide page on NIUHuskies.com.  
 
-- NIU --