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FB23 - Trayvon Rudolph catch (Akron)
Nate Manley

Huskies Celebrate 116th Homecoming versus Ohio

Kickoff Pushed to 3 pm CT Saturday on ESPNU

October 10

 
FB23 - Ohio game notes header

  DOG TREATS  
  • NIU plays host to MAC East leader Ohio Saturday as part of the Huskies' 116th Homecoming celebration. Kickoff of the game was pushed back to 3 p.m. (CT) to accommodate an ESPNU national television broadcast. 
  • After its 55-14 win at Akron, last Saturday, NIU is 32-9 versus teams from the MAC East since 2008, including a 3-3 mark against Ohio. Each of the last seven games in the series have been decided by seven points or less. 
  • At Akron last week, the Huskie offense burst wide open with 55 points and 571 yards, including 380 rushing yards. NIU scored six rushing touchdowns - four on plays of 45 yards or longer by Antario Brown - and two short TD runs by Gavin Williams set up by Trayvon Rudolph explosive plays. The Huskies' two passing scores also came on long plays - of 64 and 34 yards. 
  • Running back Antario Brown ran for a career high 280 yards on 13 carries at Akron, becoming just the sxith NIU player all-time to rush for 280 or more yards in a single game. His 21.5-yards per carry average broke a 34-year old NIU record held by Hall of Famer Stacey Robinson. 
  • Brown's 280 rushing yards tied for the most in a game by a FBS player this year and gave him 432 yards over his last two games and 616 for the season. 
  • Thirty-one different players were credited with tackles in NIU's 55-14 win over Akron as the Huskie defense held the Zips to 146 passing and 107 rushing yards. Only one opponent has passed for more than 200 yards on NIU this season and Akron was the third foe to garner less than 300 yards of total offense.  
  • Senior defensive end Ray Thomas continues to lead NIU - and all MAC defensive linemen - in tackles with 35. 
  • The "Voice of the Huskies" - radio play-by-play broadcaster Bill Baker - will retire following the 2023 football season, his 44th behind the mic for NIU. The Ohio game will mark Baker's 514th NIU football broadcast. 
  • Defensive tackle James Ester has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which annually goes to the top scholar-athlete in college  football.
  • Over the last 15 years - since 2008 - every freshman class has left NIU with at least one MAC Championship. The Huskies' five MAC Championship game victories are more than any other current league member and NIU has made a record nine appearances in the game.  
  • Of the 85 scholarship players on NIU's 2023 roster, 21 came to NIU as walk-ons. The group includes five starters, including Nate Valcarcel, Devonte O'Malley, Jaden Dolphin. Brpck Lampe and Trayvon Rudolph. .   

  NIU FOOTBALL FACTS  
Basic Offense/Defense: Multiple/4-2-5
First Year of Football: 1899
2022 Record/MAC Record/Finish: 3-9/2-6/6th
All-Time Record: 606-525-51
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: 49/27
Starters Returning: 17 (8 offense, 7 defense, 2 specialist)
Starters Lost: 11 (4 offense, 6 defense, 1 specialist)
 

  BOBCATS' FACTS  
Head Coach (Alma Mater/Year): Tim Albin (Northwestern Oklahoma State/1989)
Record at Ohio/Years: 18-14/3rd
Career Record/Years: 43-22/6th
2021 Record: 10-4
Conference Record/Finish: 7-1/1st-East
Location: Athens, Ohio
Enrollment: 34,443
Conference: Mid-American
Colors: Hunter Green and White 
Stadium: Peden Stadium
Surface/Capacity: FieldTurf/27,000
President: Dr. Lori Stewart Gonzalez
Athletic Director: Julie Cromer
Athletics Website: OhioBobcats.com
Twitter: @OhioBobcats

Ohio Schedule & Results
 

  NIU-OHIO SERIES  
Overall: NIU leads 13-11
In Athens: Ohio leads 8-5
In DeKalb: NIU leads 7-3
Neutral Site: NIU leads 1-0
In MAC Games: NIU Leads 12-8
First Meeting: Ohio 28, NIU 12 (A), 11-23-68
Last Meeting: Ohio 24, NIU 17 (A), 10-22-22
 

  FOLLOW THE HUSKIES  
TV: OHIO AT NIU ON ESPNU
  • Watch the Ohio-NIU game on ESPNU. The Huskies make their second appearance on the network in 2023 and play on a national over-the-air network for the fifth time this season.  
  • The Huskies are playing on ESPNU for the 28th time and the 12th time in the last six seasons. NIU is 14-13 all-time in games broadcast on ESPNU. 
  • Drew Carter (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst) will be on the call for ESPNU.

RADIO: HUSKIE SPORTS NETWORK
  • The Huskie Sports Radio Network coverage for the Ohio game begins 90 minutes before kickoff, at 1:30 p.m. (CT), on 94-9 WDKB with the Toyota Pre-Game Tailgate Show.
  • Coverage on NIU network affiliate SportsFan AM 1330 and on The Varsity Network app begins 30 minutes before the game, at 2:30 pm (CT).
  • Hear the broadcast on mobile devices via the free NIU Huskies mobile app or The Varsity Network app. 
  • Bill Baker is in his 44th and final season (see note) as the radio play-by-play "Voice of the Huskies." Color analyst Mark Lindo is alongside for the the 39th consecutive season, while Andy Garcia is in his 11th year on the sidelines. 

INSIDE HUSKIE FOOTBALL RADIO SHOW
  • Fans are invited to attend the one-hour weekly show each Wednesday at 6 pm. 
  • The show is held at Fatty's Pub & Grille in DeKalb (1312 W. Lincoln Hwy).
  • Listen live on the NIU Huskies or The Varsity Network mobile app and hear the show live on 94-9 WDKB and on SportsFan AM 1330 in Rockford.
  • Host Andy Garcia welcomes NIU Head Coach Thomas Hammock each week, along with Huskie players and special guests. 

NIU WEEKLY ON YOUTUBE
  • Host Andy Garcia talks NIU football, basketball and more with the Huskie head coaches and administrators, including a weekly spotlight on Huskie Football. Get all the latest news and updates in this fast-paced 30 minute show.
  • Also, hear from Huskie legend Bill Baker in each episode with a special "Looking Back with Bill Baker" segment.  
  • Watch new episodes on the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel on Thursdays. 

NIU ATHLETICS ON YOUTUBE
  • See weekly and post-game press conferences, special features, game highlights, NIU Weekly 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  
HUSKIES COME HOME: After back-to-back road games to start Mid-American Conference play, NIU returns to Huskie Stadium to face MAC East foe Ohio on Saturday, October 7.  Kickoff time for NIU's 116th Homecoming game has been pushed back from 2:30 to 3 pm (CT) to accommodate an ESPNU national broadcast.  

HUSKIES IN THE MAC: Now in their 38th overall season as a member of the Mid-American Conference, the Huskies are 165-120-2 all-time in league play. The Huskies are 130-75 (.634) versus MAC foes since re-joining the league in 1997. Since 2010, NIU is 74-30 (.711) against the MAC with three undefeated campaigns, two one-loss seasons, seven division championships, including a run of six-straight (2010-15). NIU originally competed in the MAC from 1975-85.

HUSKIE HOMECOMING HISTORY: NIU caps off a full week of Homecoming activities on campus Saturday with its 116th Homecoming game. The Huskies' annual celebration dates back to an alumni football game played Oct. 10, 1903. NIU's Homecoming is the oldest major college alumni gathering in the state and the Huskies have one of the longest celebrated Homecoming traditions in the country. The Huskies are 74-31-10 all time in their Homecoming football games and have won 21 of their last 24 in front of the alums. NIU is 40-15-2 in Homecoming football games in Huskie Stadium. 

DOGS 'N CATS: NIU leads the all-time series with Ohio, 13-11 and has won four of the last six games between the teams, dating back to NIU's 23-20 win in the 2011 MAC Championship game in Detroit. Each of the last seven games in the series have been decided by seven points or less, including three-point wins by the Huskies in 2018 and 2019 and the Bobcats' seven-point margin last year. NIU owns a 7-3 advantage over Ohio in games played in Huskie Stadium. 

THE LAST TIME: In the last meeting between these teams, Ohio scored with seven minutes to play to break a 17-17 tie, and held on to earn a 24-17 win on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 in Athens. The Huskies tied the game in the third quarter on an 11-yard rush by Kacper Rutkiewicz and a two-point conversion pass from receiver Shemar Thornton to Cole Tucker. Kicker John Richardson provided the rest of the Huskies' scoring with three field goals, while the NIU defense limited Ohio to 200 passing and 354 total yards. Antario Brown led NIU with a (then) career high 160 yards on 16 carries, including runs of 49 and 45 yards.

IN THE DOGS' HOUSE: NIU has won more than two-thirds of its games played in Huskie Stadium since 2003 with a 76-36 (.678) record at home over the last 20 years, NIU's all-time record at Huskie Stadium is 184-120-2 for a .604 all-time winning percentage. During that stretch, the Huskies have had 15 winning records at home and five undefeated seasons in DeKalb (2003, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013).

AT HOME IN THE MAC: In 37 seasons of MAC play dating back to 1975, NIU is 90-52-1 (.633) all-time at home in league games, including a 68-32 (.680) mark in Huskie Stadium versus league opponents since rejoining the league in 1997.  In 51 MAC home games since 2009, the Huskies are 40-13. 

DIVISION HOPPING: After last week's win at Akron, NIU has won 28 of its last 36 regular season games versus MAC East opponents and is 32-9 versus MAC East teams since 2008, with three of those losses in 2022 - to Ohio, Miami and Akron. Ohio is the second of three MAC East teams NIU will face in 2023 and the only MAC East team to visit DeKalb. The Huskies wrap up the regular season at Kent State (Nov. 25). The Huskies 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) 
Buffalo    7-1    
Bowling Green    4-0
Kent State    5-1    
Miami    3-3
Akron    7-1    
Ohio    4-3

AKRON RUSH: The Huskie offense used explosive plays to score 55 points, led by Antario Brown's four touchdown runs of 45-plus yards, while the NIU defense held Akron to 253 yards, 107 rushing, in a dominating 55-14 win at Akron. Brown gained 280 of NIU's 380 rushing yards on the day, Gavin Williams had a pair of short TD runs set up by Trayvon Rudolph long plays and Rocky Lombardi completed touchdown passes of 64 and 34 yards. Tied 7-7 after one quarter, the Huskies scored the next six touchdowns to break the game open as NIU cruised to the 41 point road win. 

HUSKIE LEGEND: The 2023 season marks the 44th and final year behind the mic for the "Voice of the Huskies," legendary play-by-play man Bill Baker. Baker will call his 514th NIU football game this week, and has missed just one game since making his NIU debut when the Huskies faced Long Beach State in Anaheim, Calif. on Sept. 5, 1980. He also has called more than 1,200 NIU basketball games – including several years when he called both men's and women's games. Baker, who ranks tied for sixth in longevity for FBS play-by-play voices, was honored during halftime of the Huskies' 2023 home opener versus Southern Illinois on Sept. 9 and a special tribute video can be seen on the NIU Athletics Official YouTube Channel. 

LAND OF LINCOLN LEADERS: Since 2010, NIU is the winningest football program among Illinois' seven Division I football programs. The Huskies are 1-1 versus in-state FBS programs with a 2014 win over Northwestern and a 2010 loss at Illinois, and are 4-1 versus in-state FCS opponents over the last 12 seasons, including wins over Illinois State (2019) and Eastern Illinois (2022) under Thomas Hammock. 

Illinois' Division I Schools Since 2010
Team W L Pct.
NIU 105 68 .607
Illinois State 92 62 .497
Northwestern 86 81 .515
Southern Illinois 71 81 .467
Eastern Illinois 59 91 .393
Illinois 63 100 .386
Western Illinois 52 99 .344

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: NIU senior defensive tackle James Ester was named a semifinalist for the 2023 Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation award which annually recognizes the top football scholar-athlete in the nation and is selected from across all divisions of college football. A two-time All-MAC selection and three-year team captain with 89 career tackles and 17.0 tackles for loss, Ester earned his bachelor's degree in communications last May with a 3.333 GPA and is currently pursuing his master's in sports management.

TO THE HOUSE: Antario Brown's career high 280 rushing yards came on just 13 carries as the junior running back scored on runs of 66, 58, 46 and 50 yards at Akron to earn MAC West Offensive Player of the Week honors for the first time in his career. His 280 yards tied Kentucky's Ray Davis (vs. Florida) for the most by a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) player in a game this season. His total rushing yards were the most by a Huskie in 10 years, since Jordan Lynch ran for 321 yards versus Western Michigan on Nov. 26, 2013.  Brown recorded the most rushing yards for a NIU running back since Garrett Wolfe set the school record with 353 yards versus Ball State on Sept. 30, 2006.

RECORD BREAKER: With an average of 21.5 yards on 13 carries (280 yards) at Akron, Antario Brown broke the 34-year-old NIU record for the highest yards per rush in a single game (minimum 10 carries). The previous record of 17.6 yards per carry was set by quarterback Stacey Robinson, who gained 281 yards on 16 carries with five touchdowns in a 56-3 NIU win over Cincinnati on Nov. 18, 1989.  

QUARTER BREAKDOWN: Antario Brown gained all but seven of his 280 rushing yards versus Akron in less than one and a half quarters. He carried the ball just twice for seven yards in the first quarter, then equalled his previous single game high of 160 yards on just seven carries in the second quarter, with TDs of 66 and 58 yards. He added 113 yards on four rushes in the third period with his last carry of the game - a 50-yard score - coming with 9:07 to play in the third quarter. Brown's 160-yard second quarter ranks as the second-most yards gained in a quarter by a Huskie, trailing only a 173-yard quarter (2nd) by Stacey Robinson versus Fresno State on Oct. 6, 1990.  

HALL OF FAME COMPANY: Antario Brown became just the sixth player in NIU history to run for 280 or more yards in a single game, while his 280-yard total ranks tied for 11th on the Huskies' single game rushing chart. Four of the previous five Huskies to reach the 280 mark - running backs Garrett Wolfe, LeShon Johnson and Michael Turner and quarterback Stacey Robinson - are already in the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame with quarterback Jordan Lynch undoubtedly headed there as he becomes eligible in 2024. Wolfe leads all Huskies with three games of 280 or more rushing yards while each of the others on the list (minus Brown) have two 280-plus yard outings to their credit.

BACK-TO-BACK: After gaining just 184 yards on 64 carries with one rushing touchdown (at Boston College in the season opener) through the first four games of 2023 for a 2.9 yards per carry average, Antario Brown has gained 432 yards on 29 rushes in the Huskies' last two games to average 14.9 yards per carry with five runs of 45 yards or longer. He now has 616 yards on 93 attempts and is averaging 102.7 yards per game and 6.6 yards per rush in 2023. At Toledo, Brown jump started the Huskie rushing attack with an 80-yard run to set up NIU's first touchdown. He finished with 152 yards on 16 carries. Brown now has five career 100-yard games

SET UP MAN: Wide receiver and kickoff returner Trayvon Rudolph played the role of set up man at Akron last week with three different types of long plays that led to Huskie touchdowns. Rudolph made an over-the-shoulder catch at the Akron three-yard line, good for a season-long 42-yard reception, which Gavin Williams cashed in for a touchdown on the next play. After Akron's second TD In the third quarter, Rudolph returned the kickoff 48 yards to the 50, then picked up 36 yards on a rush to the Akron two-yard line, with Williams scoring three plays later. He led NIU with three catches for a season-high 58 yards in the game, and his 141 all-purpose yards account for nearly half of his 2023 season total of 296.    

OFFENSIVE OUTBURST: The Huskie offense had a breakout game with 55 points, 571 yards of total offense and 380 rushing yards last week at Akron. NIU's 55 points were the most scored by a Thomas Hammock led Huskie team, and the most since NIU scored 63 points versus Ball State on Nov. 9, 2017 in a 63-17 win. The Huskies last gained more than 571 yards in 2021 when they totaled 663 yards at Kent State in a loss. NIU's 380 rushing yards were the most by a Huskie team in 109 games, since rushing for 433 yards versus Miami (Ohio) on Oct. 18, 2014, a 51-41 NIU win.  

SWISS ARMY KNIFE: Junior fullback Brock Lampe has been one of the most versatile players in the Huskie offense in 2023, effective as a lead blocker, ball carrier and receiver. Last week, Lampe was out front, clearing the way on nearly all of Antario Brown's runs. The junior has 11 carries for 39 yards on the season with seven of his carries coming on third and short and all resulting in a first down or a touchdown. Three of his five catches have gone for 12 yards or more, including a 26-yard reception at Toledo.  

THREE AND OUTS: While the NIU offense was rolling at Akron, the Huskie defense was doing its part, especially in the second and third quarters, when NIU turned a 7-7 game into a 35-7 halftime lead and eventual 55-14 lead at the end of three periods. NIU forced the Zips into five three-and-outs, all coming in the second and third quarters. 

TURNOVER MACHINE: NIU safety Nate Valcarcel has been in on a turnover in each of the Huskies' last three games after snaring his second interception of the season in the third quarter at Akron. Valcarcel, who ranks tied for third on the team in tackles with 25, made his first career interception in the first quarter at Tulsa, and had a 50-yard fumble recovery and return at Toledo. He has been a part of three of the seven turnovers NIU has forced this season.    

DOING ITS PART: For the third time in six games this season, the NIU defense held an opponent to two touchdowns, as Akron was limited to 14 points. The Huskies also held both Tulsa and SIU to two touchdowns. The Huskies are currently ranked 13th nationally in passing yards allowed, 32nd in pass efficiency defense and 33rd in total defense. NIU is also allowing opponents to convert just 32 percent of its third downs to rank second in the MAC and 21st in the country. NIU's defensive numbers are the best in head coach Thomas Hammock's tenure through the first four games. 
 
Year Total Defense Pass Efficiency Defense Passing Yards Allowed Scoring Defense
 2019    385.8 140.7 219.3 28.3
 2020    382.5 155.0 199.5 37.5
 2021  430.0 142.0 190.0 33.5
 2022  426.0 182.3 289.0 33.5
 2023  331.5 118.1 166.5 24.0

31 TACKLERS: Thirty-one different players were credited with tackles in NIU's 55-14 win over Akron with back-ups and many Huskies who often only see time on special teams taking advantage of their opportunity to have career days. Cornerback Cyrus McGarrell, who played just one half, made a career high five tackles, doubling his season output. Linebacker Quinton Urwiler, who came into the game with one stop, tied McGarrell for second on the team with five tackles. Reserves Jordan Monroe, Jacob Waskow and R.J. Myles made their first stops of the season while multiple others set career highs.  

DE-TERMINED: The NIU defense continues to show that its turnaround from 2022 is legitimate. For the fifth time in six games this season, NIU held its opponent to less than 200 passing yards. Three of the Huskies' six foes have totaled less than 300 yards of total offense, a mark the Huskie defense met just once in 2022, when NIU opponents gained over 400 yards in seven games. Toledo is the only opponent to throw for more than 200 yards versus NIU this year, even then, 110 of the Rockets' 281 passing yards came on just two plays. The Huskies gave up a season low 102 passing yards while holding Tulsa to 8-of-20 completions (40.0 percent), the lowest yardage total by a Huskie opponent since Akron threw for 51 yards in a 49-0 NIU win on Oct. 26, 2019. Versus Tulsa, NIU held an opponent to less than 10 completions for the first time in 39 games, since Akron completed seven passes in 26 attempts in 2019.
 
GOOD COMPANY: Defensive end Ray Thomas' 11 tackles versus Tulsa, including seven solo stops and four assists, a tackle for loss and half a sack, put the senior in select company. The last NIU defensive lineman to register double digit tackles was consensus All-American Sutton Smith with 10 stops in the 2018 MAC Championship win over Buffalo (11-30). The last Huskie defensive lineman to tally at least 11 tackles in a game was defensive tackle Ken Bishop, a 2013 first team All-MAC selection who had 11 versus Toledo (11-20-13). The last NIU defensive lineman to total more than 11 tackles in a game? Two-time MAC MVP and NFL first round draft choice Larry English, who recorded 12 tackles, forced a fumble and had a NIU record five sacks at Idaho (9-22-07). Thomas currently leads the Huskies in tackles with 35, including 19 solo stops.
   
SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION: After two seasons playing a hybrid tight end/wide receiver position, redshirt sophomore and former walk-on George Gumbs made the transition to defensive end following 2023 spring practices. He recorded his first career sacks with 1.5 versus Southern Illinois, added a sack and forced a fumble at Nebraska, contributed a career best six tackles with one for loss versus Tulsa and had a sack with 1.5 tackles for loss while getting the start at Akron. Gumbs leads NIU in sacks (3.5) and in tackles for loss (5.0) and has made 21 tackles on the season. 

WALK IT ON: NIU has a long tradition of awarding scholarships to walk-ons who have gone on to make a significant impact on the team and 2023 is no exception. The current NIU roster includes 21 players who started their NIU careers without a scholarship. Eight of those are playing significant roles on the 2023 team, including starters Devonte O'Malley (DT), Jaden Dolphin (LB), Nate Valcarcel (S), Brock Lampe (FB) and Trayvon Rudolph (WR/KR) as well as DE George Gumbs, who leads NIU in sacks, tight end Tristen Tewes and safety Muhammad Jammeh.

GRADS: NIU's 2023 roster includes 16 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees  either at NIU or from another institution. The complete list with school and major.

CB Gabe Amegatcher (Nebraska-Kearney) Major: General Studies; Minors: Construction Management, Mathematics
LB Keshon Artis (Virginia Tech) Major: Business Information Technology
TE Chris Carter (Howard) Major: Strategic, Legal & Management Communications
DT James Ester (NIU) Major: Communication, Media Studies
RB Kendrell Flowers (South Carolina State) Major: Family & Consumer Sciences
P Tom Foley (NIU) Degrees: B.S. in Accountancy; M.S. Finance
LB DaRon Gilbert (Lafayette) Major: Economics; Minor: Anthropology & Sociology
LB Tyler Jackson (Lamar) Majors: Industrial Engineering and Business
QB C.J. Jordan (Idaho) Major: Psychology; Minor: Communication
OL J.J. Lippe (NIU) Major: Leadership & Management
QB Rocky Lombardi (Michigan State) Major: History
WR Davis Patterson (Notre Dame College) Major: Strategic Communications & Public Relations
OT Nolan Potter (NIU) Major: Organizational & Corporate Communications
WR Kacper Rutkiewicz (NIU) Major: General Emphasis
DT Demond Taylor Jr. (NIU) Major: Communication, Media Studies
TE Tristen Tewes (NIU) Major: Environmental Studies

NOT PLAYING FAVORITES: While senior Kacper Rutkiewicz leads the way on NIU's receiving stats with 19 catches for 249 yards, including a career high six-catch, 139-yard day versus Southern Illinois. Huskie QBs have had no shortage of targets in 2023 as 14 different players have caught passes, seven have made more than five catches and eight players are averaging over 10 yards in receiving per game. Six players are averaging more than 10 yards per catch. Seven wide receivers, five running backs and two tight ends have been on the receiving end of NIU's 102 completions.

GAME EXPERIENCE: The 2023 Huskies bring plenty of experience to the field with 19 players on the roster who have seen action in at least 30 games during their NIU careers, and another nine who have played in at least 20 games. There are 10 Huskies who have started 20 or more games. Offensive tackle Nolan Potter (49 games/36 starts) and James Ester (42 games/35 starts) top the list of both games played and starts on either side of the ball.

YOUTH MOVEMENT ON THE LINE: While the Huskies were set to return one of the most experienced offensive line groups  in the country with six players who brought a combined 118 career starts into the season, injuries have resulted in a pair of newcomers - redshirt sophomore Drew Hoth and redshirt freshman Evan Malcore - making their way into the rotation, specifically at tackle. Hoth saw his first action as a Huskie as the starting left tackle at Nebraska and started the Tulsa and Toledo games. At Akron, Malcore, who had been rotating in at both right and left tackle during the previous five games, made his first start and played most of the game on the left side.
 
SCHOOL RECORD: NIU's 17 pass completions versus Nebraska went to a school (FBS) record 13 different receivers. The catches were made by eight wide receivers, three tailbacks, a fullback and a tight end. No player caught more than two passes with Davis Patterson's two catches for 30 yards leading the way. 

LONGEST DRIVE: Trayvon Rudolph's six-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter versus Tulsa came on the 20th play of a drive that began 11 minutes and three seconds earlier. The drive was the longest recorded by a FBS team this year in both number of plays and in time. Quarterback Ethan Hampton led the 75-yard drive, that included 15 rushing and five passing plays. The Huskies converted on third down three times and on fourth down twice, including on the touchdown pass. NIU last had a drive of over 10 minutes versus Bowling Green on October 25, 2008 with a 17-play, 80-yard, 10:06 drive culminating in a Chad Spann touchdown run.  

FILLING THE BONEYARD: With its 27-24 overtime win over Boston College in the 2023 season opener, NIU earned its 18th "Boneyard Win," defined as wins over prominent opponents and teams from leagues now designated?as "Power 5." The Boneyard tradition began in 1983 and NIU has collected 10 Boneyard Wins in the last 15 years, including in back-to-back games versus ACC opponents and in 2017 at Nebraska. All-time, the Huskies have Boneyard Wins over teams from the ACC (4), SEC (1), Big 12 (5) and Big Ten (7), as well as over independent BYU. 

LEADERS OF THE PACK: Five players were named 2023 permanent team captains. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi, offensive tackle Nolan Potter, safety C.J. Brown, linebacker Jaden Dolphin and defensive tackle James Ester were chosen in voting by the Huskie team. Lombardi and Ester were named captains for the third consecutive season, while Potter is in his second year in the role. They will be joined by a different teammate selected each game.

WATCH-LISTED: Five Huskies were named to preseason watch lists in 2023. Running back Antario Brown earned a spot on the Doak Walker Award Watch List for the second consecutive year. Wide receiver/return man Trayvon Rudolph was on the Paul Hornung Award list, while defensive tackle Devonte O'Malley and offensive tackle Nolan Potter were named to the Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy lists, respectively. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi earned a spot on the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List. 

DOGS IN OT: NIU's season opening win at Boston College in overtime marked the Huskies' 10th OT win, improving its all-time overtime record to 10-5. The Huskies have now won five of their last six overtime games after its four-game winning streak in OT was snapped at Ball State last year. NIU is 4-3 in overtime games on the road and is 1-0 in neutral site OT games. The Huskies have won three of four overtime games versus non-conference opponents and are 7-4 when MAC games go to extra periods.  

NEW FACES: NIU welcomed four new members to the Huskie coaching staff in 2023. Cornerbacks coach D.J. Bland, tight ends coach Cory White, linebackers coach and special teams coordinator Adam Breske, and running backs coach and passing game coordinator Wesley Beschorner are the newest members of the NIU staff. Bland joined the Huskies from Eastern Illinois, White was at San Diego and Breske came to NIU from Washington State. Beschorner was the head coach at Wisconsin-Eau Claire for the last three seasons.

PUNTING PROWESS: Huskie punter Tom Foley was named to the "Ray's 8" weekly honor roll by the Ray Guy Award after averaging 50.0 yards on four punts at Toledo, including a season-long 64-yard punt. At Akron, he averaged 49.0 yards on two punts with a 62-yard boot that pinned the Zips at their four-yard line. Foley's season average is up to 40.4 yards per punt, he has six punts of 50 yards or longer and 10 of his 27 punts have forced opponents to start inside their 20-yard line.   

THIS & THAT: With a seven-yard receiving and a two-yard rushing touchdown at Boston College, running back Antario Brown became the first NIU back to score touchdowns both receiving and rushing in the same game since Jordan Huff versus Ball State in 2017 (Nov. 9) .... Huskie kicker Kanon Woodill is a member of the ROTC program at NIU who has been collecting patches from cadets he has taken time to meet at the Huskies' road games ... Justin Lynch, who rushed for 84 yards on eight carries versus Tulsa, including runs of 30 and 29 yards, will sit out the rest of the 2023 season while redshirting. The decision to redshirt Lynch, who moved to running back following spring practices, was made prior to the season ... Devin Lafayette forced fumbles versus both Tulsa and Toledo, becoming the first player in six seasons to force a fumble in back-to-back games. 

NEXT: NIU plays its fourth and final Saturday home game of 2023 with a 2:30 pm contest versus Eastern Michigan in Huskie Stadium. Following the October 21 games, the Huskies will have its traditional MAC "mini-bye" before moving to a Tuesday night schedule beginning with a Halloween night game at Central Michigan.  




 
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