Football | April 3

DeKALB, Ill.  – The Northern Illinois University football team wrapped up its second week of spring football practices with a two-hour workout in full pads in the Chessick Practice Center Sunday. Following practice, NIU's sixth of 15 spring sessions, head coach Thomas Hammock said he is seeing what he wants to see from the Huskies.
 
Hammock and the staff entered the spring determined to get a full evaluation of the entire roster by providing significant reps to players with less experience than the returning starters and veterans.
 
"I'm certainly pleased [with the first two weeks of spring]," Hammock said. "We have a lot of guys that are developing the way that we wanted. It was important to get film evaluation of them playing football this spring so we can have a good idea of what they can do on the football field with live reps. They are getting a lot of reps and they are getting better. They've done a nice job taking full advantage of the opportunity."
 
After the defense appeared to have the upper hand on the offense during the first week of practices, Hammock said the offense had come on during week two,
 
"I think the offense is certainly starting to find their rhythm," Hammock said. "We're doing a lot more 'move the ball' [periods], so it becomes a lot more unpredictable, and these guys are starting to make some plays. [Quarterback] Ethan Hampton has done a nice job directing the offense, getting guys where they need to be and distributing the ball. The offensive line is playing really, really physical up front against a very good defensive line. I like the competitive nature that we have on both sides [of the ball]."
 
During Sunday's scrimmage sessions, Hampton put some of those skills on display, hitting tight end Grayson Barnes for a big pick-up on one first down play, connecting with one of the "breakout" wide receivers of the spring in Keyshaun Pipkin for a 70 yard touchdown and hitting veteran Kacper Rutkiewicz across the middle and into the red zone. The redshirt sophomore from has seen action in six games over the last two seasons, including four games in 2022.  He led all Huskie quarterbacks in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns last season.
 
"Ethan has really made a tremendous jump," Hammock said. "He's put on 20 pounds. Physically, he's matured. He has prepared, his mechanics have improved, and he has a lot more confidence. He has a lot more trust in the offense and what he's expected to do.
 
"At the wide receiver position, Messiah Travis is acting like a senior. Kacper has taken ownership and leadership of that group. Keyshaun Pipkin has done a nice job. He continues to step up and make plays. [Newcomer] Davis Patterson has done a nice job stepping up as a new guy coming in. Grayson Barnes is carving out a nice niche for himself [at tight end]. I think the chemistry is going in the right direction."
 
Hammock also noted that he expects Rocky Lombardi, who has been sidelined due to injury, to return and begin to throw next week. Lombardi returns for his third season at NIU after playing in just four games a year ago and receiving an extension of eligibility from the NCAA.
 
Defensively, Hammock made note of several young players who have made strides during the first six practices and especially over the last four since the team has worked out in full pads.
 
"Up front, Skylar Gill-Howard is making some plays on the defensive line," Hammock said. "[Cornerbacks] Amariyun Knighten and Jacob Finley - two guy that played four games last year - are stepping up. Louis Frye has been a big-time playmaker at the safety position, same with Muhammad Jammeh, who we saw play quite a bit last year. [Kansas transfer] Shaad Dabney has come in and done a nice job. We're seeing a bunch of guys that we wanted to see make some plays, that we wanted to see take a jump. That was one of our goals this spring and we're seeing guys take advantage of the opportunity."
 
Overall, Hammock likes what he has seen from the defense as the depth continues to build.
 
"Defensively there are a lot of guys that are flying around, making plays," Hammock said. "I feel like we probably have 19, 20 guys defensively that we can count on."
 
NIU will wrap up 2023 spring football practices with the Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 22 in Huskie Stadium, beginning at Noon (CT). Fans are invited to bring the family out to check out the 2023 Huskies, choose – or upgrade – season tickets and stick around following the practice to hear from Hammock and get autographs from the Huskies. A complete Kids' Zone – with the Bounce House, Football Toss and more – will be set up in the North End Zone and concessions will be available for purchase.  Admission is free.
 
NIU Football 2023 season tickets are on sale now at NIUHuskies.com/MyHuskies or by calling 815-753-PACK (7225). Through the new Build Your Membership plan, NIU fans can customize their game day experience by adding parking, hospitality passes and more to their season ticket orders on an a la carte basis. Premium seating opportunities – including in the chairback section and the SkyBox – are available. Find information on the opportunity to Build Your Membership or to directly support NIU Football through the Huskie Athletic Fund click here. 
 
Football season ticket prices for NIU's six-game home schedule in 2023 are unchanged from a year ago, beginning from as little as $97 annually (less than $11/month with the nine-month payment plan) for general admission (East Side) tickets. Reserved seat pricing on the West Side is still set at $144 (sections A, B, F) and $162 (sections C, D, E) annually or $16/$18 per month with the nine-month payment option.  Purchase four season tickets with Huskie Family 4 Pack for even greater discounts.
 
To review all the ticket options, including a new West Side general admission section, go to NIUHuskies.com/tickets.
 
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