HUSKIE BITES
- NIU heads back out on the road for the fourth time in the last five weeks with a Saturday contest at Ohio. After this game, NIU will just have one road game left on its 2022 regular season schedule.
- The Huskies own a 13-10 edge in the series with Ohio and have won four of the last five meetings dating back to NIU's 23-20 win in the 2011 MAC Championship game in Detroit. Each of the last six games between the teams has been decided by a touchdown or less, including the Huskies' 39-36 win in Athens in 2019.
- NIU is coming off its top performance of the season, a 39-10 win at Eastern Michigan. The Huskie defense held EMU to 29 rushing yards and one early touchdown while scoring on James Ester's goal line interception. The Eagles were 2-of-13 on third down conversions and did not run any plays in the red zone.
- The Huskies rank second in the MAC and 29th nationally in rushing defense so far in 2022; their 18 sacks are one shy of the 2021 season total of 19 and their six interceptions have doubled last SEASON's (14 games) total.
- The Huskies' running back duo of third-year sophomore Harrison Waylee and second-year soph Antario Brown has rushed for 1,045 yards on 196 carries and 11 touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry and 149.3 yards per game.
- Huskie junior John Richardson, who ranks among the top kickers in school history, made all four of his field goal attempts at EMU and was named MAC West Specialist of the Week for the fifth time in his career.
- NIU head coach Thomas Hammock, a two-time first team CoSIDA Academic All-American at NIU who rushed for over 1,000 yards in both 2000 and 2001, was inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame on October 7th. He joined fellow Huskie football alums Chad Spann (2007-10) and Chandler Harnish (2008-11) in the 2022 class.
- Chicago Heights native Kyle Pugh has made NCAA FBS history as he is back for his eighth season as a member of the NIU football team. Pugh saw his 2017 and 2019 seasons cut short, missed 2021 with a knee injury sustained in the spring, and earned the COVID-19 "re-do" for 2020. The two-time All-MAC (2018, 2020) linebacker currently ranks third on the team with 37 tackles.
NIU FOOTBALL FACTS
Head Coach:
Thomas Hammock (NIU '02)
Record at NIU/Years: 16-23/4th
Career Record/Years: Same
Basic Offense/Defense: Multiple/4-2-5
First Year of Football: 1899
2021 Record/MAC Record/Finish: 9-5/6-2/1st
All-Time Record: 603-517-51
Last Bowl Game: 2021 Tailgreeter Cure Bowl (Coastal Carolina 47, NIU 41)
Bowl Appearances (FBS): 14
MAC Championship Appearances, Last: 9, 2021
MAC Championships, Last: 6, 2021
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 52/15
Starters Returning: 22 (8 offense, 13 defense, 1 specialist)
Starters Lost: 7 (3 offense, 2 defense, 2 specialists)
OHIO FACTS
Head Coach (Alma Mater/Year): Tim Albin (Northwestern Oklahoma State/1989)
Record at Ohio/Years: 7-12/2
Career Record/Years: 32-20/5
2021 Record: 3-9
Conference Record/Finish: 3-5/3rd-West
Location: Athens, Ohio
Enrollment: 34,443
Conference: Mid-American
Colors: Hunter Green and White
Stadium: Peden Stadium
Surface/Capacity: FieldTurf/27,000
President: Dr. Hugh Sherman
Athletic Director: Julie Cromer
Athletics Website: OhioBobcats.com
Twitter: @OhioBobcats
Bobcats' Schedule & Results
NIU-OHIO SERIES
Overall: NIU leads 13-10
In Athens: Ohio leads 7-5
In DeKalb: NIU leads 7-3
Neutral Site: NIU leads 1-0
In MAC Games: NIU Leads 12-7
Streak: NIU, 2
Last Game: NIU 39, Ohio 36 (A), Oct. 12, 2019
FOLLOW THE HUSKIES
TV: NIU-OHIO ON ESPN+
- The NIU-Ohio game will be streamed on ESPN+, accessible via the ESPN App available on both iOS and Android devices, desktop and TV-connected devices (e.g. Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV).
- Subscriptions to ESPN+ are available on both a monthly and annual basis and can be used on up to five streaming devices simultaneously.
- Anthony Lima (play-by-play) and Ryan Cavanaugh (color analyst) will be on the call for ESPN+ Saturday.
RADIO: HUSKIE SPORTS NETWORK
- The Huskie Sports Radio Network coverage for the Ohio game begins 90 minutes before kickoff, at 11:30 a.m. (CT), on 94-9 WDKB with the Toyota Huskie Nation Pre-Game Party.
- Coverage on WDKB, as well as NIU network affiliates AM 560 The Answer (Chicago) and SportsFan AM 1330 begins 30 minutes before the game, at 12:30 pm (CT).
- Hear the broadcast online via Huskie All Access, and on mobile devices via the FREE NIU Huskies mobile app or The Varsity Network app.
- Bill Baker is in his 43rd season as the radio play-by-play "Voice of the Huskies." Color analyst Mark Lindo is alongside for the the 37th consecutive season, while Andy Garcia is in his 10th season on the NIU sidelines.
INSIDE HUSKIE FOOTBALL RADIO SHOW
- Fans are invited to attend the one-hour weekly show every week at 1 p.m. in the Novak Room at Fatty's Pub & Grille in DeKalb (1312 W. Lincoln Hwy).
- Shows will take place on each of the next two Thursdays (Oct. 20, 27) before moving to Friday in November.
- Listen live on 94-9 WDKB FM in DeKalb and on the NIU Huskies or The Varsity Network mobile apps. Hear the show on the same day at 6 p.m. on SportsFan AM 1330 in Rockford.
- Host Andy Garcia chats with NIU Head Coach Thomas Hammock each week, along with Huskie players and special guests.
NIU WEEKLY ON YOUTUBE
- The show features weekly interviews with NIU football personnel, including head coach Thomas Hammock, as well as NIU administrators, coaches and student-athletes from other sports programs.
- Watch new episodes on the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel each week.
- The show is hosted by Andy Garcia.
NIU ATHLETICS ON YOUTUBE
- See weekly and post-game press conferences, video features, highlights of past games and more.
- Subscribe for FREE and click the bell to be notified every time NIU posts a new video.
- Search "NIU Athletics" on YouTube or go to YouTube.com/NIUAthleticsOfficial.
- Archived videos and highlights, replays of some of the greatest games in school history and special features are also available 24/7 on YouTube.
NIU HUSKIES MOBILE APP
- Download the free NIU Huskies mobile app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
- Link to the NIU radio broadcasts, live stats, complete team rosters, digital game programs and more.
- Connect to the NIU social media channels and sign up for notifications on any Huskie team.
NOTING NIU
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: After winnning its first Mid-American Conference game of the season at Eastern Michigan, NIU concludes a stretch of four road games in five weeks in Athens, Ohio versus the Ohio Bobcats. The Huskies will play three of their last four games of the season at home.
SERIES HISTORY: NIU leads the all-time series with Ohio, 13-10 and has won four of the last five meetings dating back to NIU's 23-20 win in the 2011 MAC Championship game in Detroit. Each of the last six games in the series have been decided by seven points or less, including three-point wins by the Huskies in 2018 and 2019. Ohio holds a 7-5 advantage over NIU in games played in Peden Stadium, although the Huskies have wins in their last two visits to Athens.
THE LAST TIME: John Richardson kicked a 37-yard field goal as time expired to give NIU a 39-36 win over Ohio in Athens on Oct. 12, 2019. The Bobcats took a 21-10 halftime lead before the Huskies came back with three touchdowns - on a pair of Tre Harbison runs and a 30-yard pass from Ross Bowers to
Tyrice Richie - to take a 29-21 lead. Ohio tied the game at 29 and again at 36 after Harbison's third score had put NIU ahead 36-29. He finished with 113 yards on 25 carries while
Cole Tucker caught eight passes for 118 yards. Bowers finished the game with an NIU career best 338 yards on 23-of-39 passing and a touchdown.
LAST WEEK: NIU played its most complete game of the season on offense, defense and special teams in a 39-10 win at Eastern Michigan. Defensive tackle
James Ester got the Huskies started on the right note by tipping and intercepting a pass at the goal line for a first quarter touchdown, and the NIU defense limited EMU to 29 rushing yards and a 2-of-13 mark on third down conversions while collecting five quarterback sacks.
Harrison Waylee and
Antario Brown combined for 244 yards rushing yards and three touchdowns on 33 carries, many coming out of a direct snap formation. Kicker
John Richardson was four-of-four on field goals.
HUSKIES IN THE MAC: In their 37th football season as a member of the Mid-American Conference season, NIU is 163-115-2 all-time in league play. The Huskies are 128-70 (.646) versus MAC foes since re-joining the league in 1997. Since 2010, NIU is 72-25 (.742) against the MAC with three undefeated campaigns, two one-loss seasons and seven division championships, including a run of six-straight (2010-15). NIU originally competed in the MAC from 1975-85.
NIU ON THE MAC ROAD: The Huskies are 24-12 in conference road games since 2013 and 88-98-1 all-time in league games away from Huskie Stadium. NIU was 3-1 in road conference games a year ago with the lone loss at Kent State. The Huskies are 1-1 so far this year in MAC road games.
DIVISION HOPPING: After opening its 2022 league schedule with three MAC West foes, NIU plays its first 2022 game against the MAC East Saturday. NIU has won 27 of its last 32 regular season games versus MAC East opponents and is 31-6 versus MAC East teams since 2008. NIU went 2-1 in crossover games a year ago before avenging a November loss at Kent State with a win over the Golden Flashes in the MAC Championship game. The Huskies also are 5-3 versus the East in MAC title games since 2010, defeating Ohio (2011), Kent State (2012, 2021), Bowling Green (2014) and Buffalo (2018), while falling to Miami (2010) and Bowling Green (2013 & 2015).
NIU vs. the current MAC East (regular season since 2008)
| Akron* |
6-0 |
| Buffalo |
7-1 |
| Bowling Green |
4-0 |
| Kent State |
5-1 |
| Miami (Ohio)* |
3-2 |
| Ohio* |
3-2 |
*2022 opponent
HALL OF FAMER: NIU head coach
Thomas Hammock is one of three former Huskie football players inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame during Homecoming Weekend in DeKalb on October 7. Hammock gained more than 2,400 rushing yards and was a two-time first team CoSIDA Academic All-American during his NIU playing career (1999-2002). He was joined by fellow running back Chad Spann (2007-10) and quarterback Chandler Harnish (2008-11), who both won the MAC's Vern Smith (MVP) Award during their time in Cardinal and Black, in NIU's 2022 Hall of Fame class.
FIRSTS: With 10:49 to play in the first quarter at Eastern Michigan, NIU defensive tackle
James Ester tipped a pass into the air, then caught it at the goal line for his first career interception and his first career touchdown. It was the first defensive touchdown of the season for NIU and the first since C.J. Brown's 26-yard interception return for a score versus Kent State in the 2021 MAC Championship game.
THREE QBS: Justin Lynch, a sophomore transfer from Temple, stepped into the starting quarterback role at Eastern Michigan, becoming the third different player to start at quarterback for NIU in 2022. Lynch, who made his NIU debut at Kentucky on Sept. 24 and has seen action in each of the last four games, ranks third on the team in rushing with 160 yards on 34 carries. He scored on a two-yard run at Kentucky and a 15-yard jaunt versus Toledo. Lynch's start marks the first time since 2017 (Ryan Graham, Daniel Santacaterina, Marcus Childers) NIU has started three different quarterbacks in the same season as
Rocky Lombardi started the first three games and redshirt freshman
Ethan Hampton the next three. NIU became the fifth FBS team this season to start three or more players at quarterback.
AB FROM LD: NIU sophomore running back
Antario Brown has made a habit of scoring from long distance during his 16-game NIU career and he continued that trend at Eastern Michigan. Seven of Brown's 11 career touchdown runs, including three of his team-leading six TDs this season, have been at least 35 yards long. His 11 scores have traveled 328 yards for a 29.8-yard average. Brown posted his second two-score game last week at Eastern Michigan on runs of 47 and six yards. He had a career-long 51-yard touchdown run versus Vanderbilt and a 35-yard score versus Eastern Illinois this year in addition to touchdown runs of eight and five yards in the Tulsa and Toledo game, respectively. A year ago, four of Brown's five TD runs went 37 yards or longer.
ON THE WAY(LEE): Antario Brown wasn't the only Huskie to have success on the ground at Eastern Michigan as his partner in the NIU backfield,
Harrison Waylee, led the Huskies with 158 yards on 16 carries to average 9.9 yards per rush. Waylee's career long 76-yard touchdown run at 7:14 of the fourth quarter iced the game for the Huskies. The sophomore recorded his second 100-yard game of 2022 and the seventh of his career.
DYNAMIC DUO: The combination of
Harrison Waylee and
Antario Brown have combined to rush for 1,045 yards on 196 carries and 11 touchdowns through the first seven games, accounting for 77 percent of NIU's rushing yards and averaging 5.3 yards per carry and nearly 150 yards per game.
SCHOOL RECORD ALERT! Harrison Waylee's 10 catches (for 96 yards) versus Toledo established a new NIU single game record for receptions by a Huskie running back, recorded since NIU became a "major college" program in 1969. Waylee's mark broke the previous single game high of eight catches, last accomplished by single season record-holder Justin Anderson versus Southern Illinois on Sept. 8, 2007. He joined Northwestern's Ethan Hall (14 rec.), Mississippi State's Jo'quavious Marks (11) and Appalachian State's Nate Noel (10) as the only FBS running backs to catch 10 or more passes in a game this season. He has 15 receptions for 113 yards on the year.
ALL THE WAY(LEE) HOME: Huskie third-year sophomore
Harrison Waylee had a career day at Ball State on October 1 with 230 yards on 30 carries and three touchdowns all career highs, including touchdown runs of 68 and 32 yards. His 230 yards were the most since quarterback Jordan Lynch ran for 321 yards versus Western Michigan on Nov. 26, 2013. The 230 yards rank as the eighth-most in the FBS this season. Waylee leads NIU, and ranks fourth in the MAC, in rushing with 630 yards, an average of 90.0 per game.
IN THE CLUB: With the first 200-yard rushing game of his Huskie career versus Toledo,
Harrison Waylee became the 18th NIU player all-time to record a 200-yard day, a mark that has been reached 46 times in NIU history. Waylee's 230 yards are tied for 23rd all-time at NIU. His 1,660 career rushing yards rank 26th on the Huskies' all-time list.
COLE HARD FACTS: Sixth-year senior receiver
Cole Tucker, the only active player on the roster to enter the season with at least 20 catches at NIU, leads the Huskies with 34 catches for 536 yards to average 15.8 yards per catch. The DeKalb native and Huskie legacy, whose parents Brett and Cindy were NIU football and gymnastics student-athletes, respectively, has caught 144 passes for 1,934 yards in his career to rank 12th on NIU's all-time receiving yards list. He needs 66 yards to become just the eighth player in school history with 2,000 career receiving yards. His 144 career catches are 10th at NIU all-time.
NO PLACE TO RUN: The Huskies held Eastern Michigan to a season-low 29 rushing yards on 27 carries thanks in part to five sacks for minus 49 yards in the game. Add the sack yardage and the Huskie defense STILL held an opponent to less than 100 net rushing yards for the 18th time in the last five years and the second time in 2022 (Ball State had 77 rushing yards). NIU ranks 29th nationally and second in the MAC in rushing defense as opponents are averaging just 116.1 yards per game on the ground; NIU has allowed a league-low six rushing touchdowns.
HOW LOW CAN YOU GO: Eastern Michigan's 29 rushing yards last Saturday were the fewest by a Huskie oppponent in more than 10 seasons, since the 2011 NIU defense held Arkansas State to 28 yards on 29 rushes in the 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl, a 38-20 NIU victory. EMU was the second opponent in 2022 to total less than 100 rushing yards and four of NIU's foes this season have rushed for 107 yards or less
MORE D: Eastern Michigan's 10 points were the fewest scored by a Huskie opponent in 31 games, since NIU shut out Akron on October 26, 2019. After giving up a long touchdown at 10:34 of the first quarter to EMU, NIU did not allow the Eagles into the end zone, or even into the red zone, the rest of the game, giving up only a 56-yard third quarter field goal.
SCHOLAR-SACKER: Senior defensive end
Michael Kennedy, who leads NIU in sacks with four, matching his career total entering the year, is one of six Mid-American Conference players named a semifinalist for the 2022 William Campbell Trophy, presented by the National Football Foundation to the top football Scholar-Athlete in the country. A sixth-year senior, Kennedy earned his undergraduate degree in management with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and social responsibility and is pursuing his MBA.
SACKS & PICKS: NIU's five quarterback sacks - by four different players - at Eastern Michigan brought the Huskies' total to 18 on the season, just one shy of NIU's 2021 total of 19 in 14 games. Nine players have contributed to the Huskies' 18 sacks, led by
Michael Kennedy (4 QS),
Devonte O'Malley (3.5) and
Daveren Rayner (3). Meanwhile,
James Ester's early interception was the Huskies' sixth of 2022, doubling last year's season total. NIU ranks second in the MAC in interceptions and is third in the league, and 30th in the country, in sacks.
HIGH SCORING: The NIU offense is having one of its most prolific scoring years in recent history so far in 2022. The Huskies are currently averaging 32.7 points per contest to rank third in the MAC and have reached 32 points in five of NIU's seven games. That is the highest scoring rate by a team since the 2013 Huskies finished the season with 39.6 points per game. A year ago, the Huskies averaged 32.2 points per game.
TURNOVER TALES: NIU did not commit a turnover in its win over Eastern Michigan, the third time this season the Huskies did not turn the ball over. The Huskies also had zero turnovers versus Eastern Illinois (Sept. 1) and at Kentucky (Sept. 24). In 2021, NIU had just one turnovere-less game (at Central Michigan). Meanwhile, the Huskies have forced 10 turnovers (six interceptions, four fumbles) through seven games, just two shy of its 2021 total of 12 turnovers gained (in 14 games).
KICKING IT: NIU kicker
John Richardson made all four of his field goal attempts at Eastern Michigan for the top field goal percentage day of his career. He has made nine-of-13 field goals and scored a team-leading 51 points on the season and has 266 career points on 52 field goals and 110 PATs. In his career, Richardson ranks fifth in most points scored kicking and ninth in most overall points. He ranks fourth in field goals made and attempted and sixth in PATs made. He entered the season first or tied for first on the Huskies' career lists for field goal percentage (.796) and PAT percentage (1.000). Richardson's onside kicks, meanwhile, have been a weapon resulting in more possessions for the NIU offense.
ONSIDE EXPERT: After attempting four onside kicks - and recovering two - in the fourth quarter alone versus Toledo, the Huskies have attempted and recovered more onside kicks than any FBS team in the country this season. Prior to this year, NIU's last onside recovery was at Eastern Michigan in 2020. Kicker
John Richardson has displayed a wide variety of onside styles, that have helped NIU cover four of NIU's seven onside kicks this year, well above the 23.8 percent average (between 2014-20) of onside kicks recovered successfully in NCAA football. The game-by-game list:
AREN'T THEY SPECIAL: In addition to recovering four onside kicks, NIU special teams have provided the Huskies with two additional possessions this year. At Tulsa, NIU's
Jordan Gandy recovered a muffed punt in the fourth quarter. At Eastern Michigan, freshman
Nick Alvarado forced an Eagles' fumble on
John Richardson's squib kick that was recovered by
Joey Rattin to set up a Huskie field goal.
ONE OF A KIND: NIU linebacker
Kyle Pugh is the first player in FBS history to play eight years of college football - although due to a series of different injuries, he has not actually played in all eight seasons. Pugh, who is earning his second master's degree, signed with the Huskies in February 2015 and redshirted as a freshman. He was an all-MAC player in 2018 and 2020; he currently ranks third on the team in tackles with 37 while starting every game. His career totals include 223 tackles in 41 games with 13.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. His most successful season was 2018 when he made 106 tackles, 63 solo with five tackles for loss. The Chicago Heights product has been at NIU through three presidential administrations, four bowl games and three MAC Championship games; his freshmen teammates were in sixth grade when he arrived in DeKalb.
GETTING A SHOT: So far this season, 40 different players have started games for the Huskies with 22 different players making starts on offense and 18 on defense. Among the defensive front seven, six starters have remained the same throughout the first seven games, including the defensive line of ends Ray Thomas and
Izayah Green-May and tackles
James Ester and
Devonte O'Malley, along with linebackers
Daveren Rayner and
Kyle Pugh. Safety C.J. Brown, center
Pete Nygra and guard
Logan Zschernitz are the only other Huskies to start every game this season.
REVOLVING SECONDARY: The Eastern Michigan game marked the first time this season that NIU started the same players in the defensive backfield as it had the previous game with cornerbacks
Jordan Gandy and
Eric Rogers and safeties
Jordan White and C.J. Brown. They were the fifth different starting quartet of players in the secondary, as injuries have kept players out of action at times throughout the season. Of the four starting spots in the NIU secondary, only 2021 All-MAC safety C.J. Brown has started every game. At least three different players - nine in all - have started games at the other three secondary positions. At Ball State, true freshmen
Jacob Finley and
Amariyun Knighten made their first career starts.
CARDIAC CANINES CONTINUED: In four seasons under
Thomas Hammock, 23 of the Huskies' 38 games, including four of NIU's seven games in 2022, have been decided by one score (eight points) or less. Last year, 10 of the Huskies' 14 games came down to one score. The Huskies are 8-6 in one score contests over the last two seasons and are 11-12 in games decided by one score over the last four years. NIU is just as good when the games are closer with a 7-3 record since 2019 in games decided by three points or less, including a 4-0 record in those games a year ago.
QUITE A QUARTER: NIU's 25-point fourth quarter versus Toledo - a result of three touchdowns, a field goal and two two-point PATs - was the Huskies' highest single quarter output since October 10, 2015 when NIU scored 28 points in the second quarter versus Ball State. The Huskies held the ball for 11:55 in the fourth quarter as Toledo had just one possession before the final 45 seconds. Prior to the Toledo game, NIU had averaged just over seven points in the fourth quarter of its five previous games.
RAYNER SHINES: Sophomore linebacker
Daveren Rayner leads NIU, ranks fifth in the MAC and 30th nationally in tackles per game with 9.1 with a total of 64 on the year. Rayner posted his third double-digit tackle game of the year at Kentucky with 10 stops and added a sack to earn MAC West Defensive Player of the Week honors. He has surpassed his previous single season career high in tackles (29 in 2021). The Indianapolis native has 16 more tackles than any other Huskie defender. He had 2.5 tackles for loss at Eastern Michigan to take the team lead in that category with five, and is third on the team with three sacks.
DOG TREATS: The 14 consecutive completions by quarterbacks
Rocky Lombardi and
Ethan Hampton (seven each) to start the Vanderbilt game fell one short of the unofficial NIU record of 15 set by Dan Nicholson versus Southern Illinois on Sept. 8, 2007. NIU's first incompletion did not occur until 10:08 of the third quarter. ... last year, the Huskies had just one game (Central Michigan) in which they did NOT commit a turnover; they have two such games already this season (Eastern Illinois, Kentucky) ... at Kentucky, wide receiver
Shemar Thornton became the first NIU non-quarterback to throw a touchdown pass since 2019 vs. Western Michigan when he hit a wide open
Tristen Tewes for a three-yard TD in the second quarter ... in that game, Tewes became the first NIU tight end to catch two touchdown passes in a game in 70 games, since Shane Wimann had a pair of TD catches at San Diego State in 2017 ... cornerback
Eric Rogers became the first Huskie to earn MAC Player of the Week honors after picking off a pair of passes in the 2022 season opener versus Eastern Illinois, becoming the first Huskie with two INTs in a game since Jalen McKie versus Akron in 2018.
FRESH FACES: Twelve players, including eight true freshmen and four redshirt freshmen, have made their NIU debuts in 2022 with cornerbacks
Jacob Finley and
Amariyun Knighten (at Ball State) the first true freshmen to start a game this year. Running back
Jaiden Credle earned his first carries at Ball State, running six times for 27 yards. Other true freshmen to see action include linebackers
Jake Gassaway,
Nick Alvarado, Rashon Myles, and safety
Trey Porter on special teams, and
Roy Williams at defensive end. Redshirt freshman
Isaac Hatfield has been NIU's starting long snapper.
NEW TO NIU: Seven players who transferred to NIU this year have seen action in 2022. Wide receivers
Shemar Thornton (FIU) and
Kacper Rutkiewicz (Illinois State), defensive end
Izayah Green-May (Wisconsin) and safety
Jordan White (Youngstown State) have all started games. Rutkiewicz and Thornton rank second and third on the team, respectively, in receptions. Green-May is fourth on the team in tackles for loss and White has totaled 13 tackles over the past two games - both starts. Transfer QB
Justin Lynch (Temple) ranks third on the team in rushing, while
Quinn Urwiler (North Dakota) and
Joey Rattin (Upper Iowa) have contributed on special teams.
STREAK BUSTED: The Huskies' double overtime loss at Ball State on October 1 broke NIU's four-game winning streak in overtime games that dated back to Oct. 15, 2016, a 34-28 three overtime loss to Central Michigan. The OT win streak began later that season - on Nov. 16, 2016 - with a 31-24 win at Eastern Michigan and included wins over the Eagles in each of the next two seasons. NIU won at Buffalo, 33-26, in overtime last year for its fourth straight win in extra time. All-time, the Huskies are 9-5 in overtime games, including a 6-4 mark in MAC regular season contests.
TIGHT END TDS: Three Huskie tight ends have recorded their first touchdown catches in 2022. Sixth-year senior tight end
Liam Soraghan scored his first career touchdown versus Eastern Illinois on a 13-yard grab, and added a two-point conversion catch versus Toledo.
Tristen Tewes had a pair of TD receptions - including one from wide receiver
Shemar Thornton - at Kentucky and finished the game with a career high six catches for 37 yards. Versus Toledo,
Drew Cassens scored on a four-yard reception. A year ago,
Miles Joiner scored the only two touchdowns by a tight end.
LAND OF LINCOLN LEADERS: Since 2010, NIU is the winningest football program among the state of Illinois' seven Division I (3 FBS & 4 FCS) football programs with a record of 102-60 for a winning percentage of .630. No other team in the state has won more than 85 games with Northwestern checking in with a 83-72 (.535) record and Illinois at 59-92 (.391). Since 2010, the Huskies are 1-1 versus their fellow in-state FBS programs with a 2014 win over Northwestern and a 2010 loss at Illinois. NIU is 4-1 versus in-state FCS opponents over the last 12 seasons, including the opening week win over Eastern Illinois. NIU has made nine bowl game and eight MAC Championship game appearances in the last 12 years.
EARNED IT: Since
Thomas Hammock's arrival at NIU in 2019, 21 players have earned scholarships after arriving at NIU as walk-ons, including 19 players on the 2022 roster and eight – fully one third – of the Huskies starters on offense, defense or special teams. Of those 19, 15 are from the state of Illinois. The group joins a long and distinguished list of NIU players from the past that arrived as walk-ons including 2010 MAC MVP Chad Spann, who will be inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame this weekend, and recently retired NFL defensive back Rashaan Melvin. See the complete list of current former walk-ons in the column to the left.
LEAD DOGS: Six players were elected team captains for 2022 by their teammates. Quarterback
Rocky Lombardi, linebacker
Nick Rattin and defensive tackle
James Ester (DT) were named captains for the second straight season. Linebacker and eighth-year senior
Kyle Pugh, offensive tackle
Nolan Potter and sophomore defensive back
Jashon Prophete were also chosen.
GRADS: NIU 2022 roster includes 13 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees - either at NIU or from another institution, and one who already has two degrees. Huskie eighth-year senior
Kyle Pugh has both an undergraduate and a graduate degree as he works on his second graduate degree. Transfers
Miles Joiner,
Rocky Lombardi,
Izayah Green-May,
Kaymar Mimes and
Shemar Thornton all came to NIU with degrees from their previous institutions. In addition to Pugh,
Brett Bostad,
Marques Cox,
Jeffrey Griffin Jr.,
Michael Kennedy,
Nolan Potter,
Liam Soraghan and
Cole Tucker are already Huskie alumni.
