DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University Huskies play host to the Utah Utes Saturday, September 8 at 6:30 p.m. in Huskie Stadium to kick off the 2018 home schedule.
 
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).
 
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, Cal Stage Band - food and drink available for purchase, the Huskie Athletic Fund tent, Huskie gear for sale and more. Check out the Kids' Zone, and stop by the sponsor tables from Athletico, Northwestern Medicine, Gift of Hope and Pepsi. The Yard opens at 3:30 p.m., with a visit from the Huskie Marching Band, Silverettes and Cheerleaders at 5 p.m. - and 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 8   
 
Band Day – More than 1,700 high school band members will take the field with the Huskie Marching Band for this annual tradition.  The Huskie Marching Band, meanwhile, is up to nearly 200 members this year and provides spirit and music throughout the game.
 
Visor Giveaway - Receive an NIU branded black visor as you enter the gates on the East and West Sides of Huskie Stadium on Saturday, courtesy of First National Bank.
 
T-Shirt Giveaway (NIU students) – The first 500 students to enter via the gates on the East Side of Huskie Stadium will receive a white "We Win, You Win" T-shirt courtesy of Rosati's. 
 
 
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 Jalen Embry, Ryan Graham and D.J. Brown. 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.
 
For complete stadium information, parking maps and more, see the Huskie Stadium Fan Guide page on NIUHuskies.com.  
 
-- NIU --