DeKALB, Ill.  – Fresh off back-to-back Mid-American Conference wins, the Northern Illinois University Huskies return to Huskie Stadium Saturday to host the Eastern Michigan Eagles with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. NIU is welcoming all DeKalb County residents with special pricing on reserved seat tickets, and the Huskie football team and staff will be wearing helmet decals or ribbons in different colors indicating their support for the fight against cancer.   
 
Welcome, DeKalb County Residents
            Saturday is DeKalb County Day at Huskie Stadium as the Huskies invite all local residents to the game, which is presented by game day sponsor Kunes Auto Group of Sycamore.  All DeKalb County residents can purchase West Side reserved seat tickets for $30 by buying tickets online anytime at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies. To use the promo code, select Single Game Tickets and use enter DEKALB23 to take advantage of this offer which will run through kickoff! Be sure to order online and enjoy $8 off the single game price!
 
Huskies Fight Cancer Game
            Fans will notice a splash of color (other than red) on the Huskies' helmets this week as players and coaches will show their support for all who are fighting or have fought cancer. Players were allowed to select the colors based on a specific cancer (e.g. orange for leukemia, pink for breast cancer, grey for brain cancer) or could choose the color lavender representing all cancers.  See the list of all cancer colors here.  Based on their personal selections, Huskie players will be wearing 15 different colors on Saturday.
            Huskie coaches and staff will have ribbons representing their support with 16 different colors among their selections. 
 
Tailgate Time
            All donor and Convocation Center lots open five hours prior to kickoff, at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday.  Remember to head to the stadium in time to get in your seats. The Huskie Marching Band takes the field approximately 20 minutes before kickoff!
 
Twenty Years Ago
            While many alums were in town a week early for Homecoming, members of the 2003 NIU Football team that made history with three Boneyard Wins – over Maryland, Alabama and Iowa State – have been invited back to Huskie Stadium this Saturday and will enjoy the game from the Terraces in the North End Zone. Among those expected in the crowd are quarterback Josh Haldi, kick returner/wide receiver Dan Sheldon and linebacker Brian Atkinson.
 
Check Out "The Yard"
            The Yard, located on the West Side of Huskie Stadium, is free and open to all with pregame entertainment, food and drink available for purchase, NIU sponsor giveaways and displays, the Huskie Athletic Fund tent, gear available to purchase and more. This week, a DJ will be providing the music and don't miss the pep rally with the Huskie Marching Band, Silverettes and NIU Cheerleaders at 1:45 p.m., and photo opportunities with Victor E. Huskie and Mission. Bring the kids to the Pup Club Kids' Zone with inflatables (weather permitting), mini-football field, football toss as well as a face painter. For Huskie Athletic Fund members, hear from NIU head coaches Ryan Ludwig (wrestling) and Connie Teaberry (women's track & field) in the HAF Tent beginning at 1:30 p.m. The Yard opens at 11:30 and closes at 2:15 p.m. to give you plenty of time to get into the game.
 
Remember, Clear Bags Only
            NIU's clear bag policy allows fans to carry in a Clear Tote Bag, no larger than 12"x12"x6" or a clear one-gallon plastic bag. Clutch purses are permitted but cannot be larger than 5.5"x 8.5"x3" (approximately the size of a half sheet of 8 1/2x11 paper). Please leave all other bags in your vehicle. All bags are subject to inspection. 
 
Get Your Tickets Now and Download in Advance!
            Purchasing tickets in advance offers a $5 savings off both East (general admission) and West  (reserved) Side tickets compared the game day (walk-up) price AND provides the option to select your seats!  Single game tickets are on sale online at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 am-5 pm. Get West Side reserved tickets for $38 each or sit on the East Side (general admission) for $33. Remember, parking in the NIU Convocation Center lots IS included in the price of the tickets!
            This year, fans who choose to purchase tickets at the West Side Ticket Office on game day on a "walk-up" basis will be able to select their seating section only and will be assigned the best available seats within that section.
            Once your tickets are purchased, and before leaving for the game, download them to your phone so that they can be easily pulled up and scanned at the gates.   
 
Free Parking and Shuttle Bus Available
            One of the great benefits for NIU fans is the free parking available in the NIU Convocation Center lots provided with your ticket purchase. NIU also offers a shuttle from the Convo lots to Huskie Stadium and back on game day. The shuttle picks up from posted locations at all Convo lots beginning three hours before kickoff and also runs for one hour after the game to return fans to their cars. The ADA shuttle will also begin running three hours before game time and will make a regular loop from Lot L (handicapped lot). The ADA shuttle can be called to other lots on an as needed basis.
 
Cashless! Concessions Offerings
            Along with all your traditional favorites, check out some of the new offerings for concessions around Huskie Stadium. New vendors include Takis To Go (northeast side), Hy-Vee (at southwest entrance); Chicken Salad Chick (southeast side plus some product throughout the stadium); Sweet Butts Cotton Candy plus Tangled Roots and Pollyanna craft beer available at all grab 'n go locations.
Remember that ALL concessions stands are CASHLESS!
 
Listen In
            Hear legendary announcer Bill Baker's call of every 2023 NIU Football game on 94-9 WDKB FM in DeKalb, SportsFan 1330 AM in Rockford and on the NIU Huskies and The Varsity Network app as Baker is behind the mic for his 44th and final season as the voice of the Huskies.  Find a link to listen online on the football schedule page of NIUHuskies.com.
 
The NIU Huskies App Has It All
            While NIU no longer prints game programs, find rosters, stats, links to buy tickets, listen to the game broadcast and more through the free NIU Huskies app! Download to your phone and have all the information at your fingertips!
 
Have other questions or need more information, go online to NIUHuskies.com, call 815-753-PACK (7225) for ticket information, or email huskiestickets@niu.edu. 
 
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