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  DOG TREATS  

• NIU plays its second non-conference road game of the season Saturday when the Huskies take on Nebraska for the third time in the last seven seasons. 
• The Huskies have started the season 1-1 for the fourth time in the last five seasons after defeating Boston College, 27-24, in the season opener and falling to Southern Illinois, 14-11, last week in the home opener. 
• NIU's 2023 roster includes three Nebraska natives as well as three (different) players who saw action in the 2019 game between these teams. 
• NIU 27-24 overtime win at Boston College marked its 18th "Boneyard Win" since 1983, and second over an ACC opponent in a season opener in the last three years. 
• Huskie alum and 2022 NIU Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Thomas Hammock is in his fifth season at the helm of the NIU program in 2023. He guided the Huskies to the 2021 MAC Championship. 
• 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 Nebraska game is Baker's 510th NIU football broadcast. 
• The Huskies have eight wins all-time versus Big Ten opponents with six of those coming in the last 13 meetings. 
• There are 25 players - eight returnees and 17 newcomers - on the 2023 NIU roster who started their careers elsewhere; 18 have seen action for the Huskies this season. 
• Quarterback Rocky Lombardi is in his seventh collegiate seasons, and third season at NIU, in 2023. He threw for 297 yards on 23-of-38 passing last week versus Southern Illinois for the most passing yards since November of 2021. 
• The Huskie defense is allowing 19 points and 266.5 yards of total offense per game through the first two games of 2023, nearly 24 points and 192 yards fewer than a year ago. 
• 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.  
• The Huskies were ranked third in the West Division in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. See the complete poll on page 2.
• Next: NIU returns home to face Tulsa on Saturday, Sept. 23 in Huskie Stadium. The game will kickoff at 11 a.m. (CT) on CBS Sports Network.  

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  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: 605-522-51
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)
 

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HUSKERS' FACTS
Head Coach (Alma Mater/Year): Matt Rhule (Penn State, 1997)
Record at Nebraska/Years: 0-2/1st
Career Record/Years: 47-45/8th
2022 Record: 4-8
Conference Record/Finish: 3-6/6th Big Ten West
Location: Lincoln, Neb.
Enrollment: 23,805
Conference: Big Ten
Colors: Scarlet and Cream 
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Surface/Capacity: FieldTurf/83,406
Chancellor: Rodney Bennett
Athletic Director: Trev Alberts
Athletics Website: Huskers.com
Twitter: @HuskerFootball

Nebraska Schedule & Results
 

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  FOLLOW THE HUSKIES  

TV: NIU AT NEBRASKA on FS1

• NIU makes its third appearance all-time on FS1.
• The Huskies' only previous games broadcast on FS1 were the 2017 and 2019 games at Nebraska.
• The game is also available on mobile devices using the Fox Sports app.
• Jeff Levering (play-by-play) and Mark Helfrich (color analyst) will be on the call for FS1 Saturday night.

RADIO: HUSKIE SPORT NETWORK

• The Huskie Sports Radio Network coverage for the Nebraska game begins 90 minutes before kickoff, at 4:30 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 5:30 pm (CT).
• Hear the broadcast on mobile devices via the free NIU Huskies mobile app or The Varsity Network app. 
• Bill Baker begins 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 begins his 11th year on the sidelines. 

INSIDE HUSKIE FOOTBALL RADIO SHOW

• Fans are invited to attend the one-hour weekly show every Wednesday at 6 p.m. 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.

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  NOTING NIU  

WE'RE BA-AACK: NIU (1-1) travels to Lincoln, Nebraska for the third time in the past seven years to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-2). All three of the most recent meetings in the series have come in the third game on the schedule. NIU is coming off a 14-11 loss to in-state foe Southern Illinois in its 2023 home opener, while Nebraska plays its first home game of the season this week.  

HUSKIES AND HUSKERS: Saturday's meeting between NIU and Nebraska will be the fifth all-time between the two schools with every game played in Lincoln. The Huskies defeated Nebraska, 21-17, on Sept. 16, 2017 to claim one of the biggest "Boneyard" wins in its history. The Cornhuskers avenged the loss with a 44-8 win over the Huskies on Sept. 14, 2019 in Thomas Hammock's initial season. Nebraska defeated NIU 48-17 in 1989 and 60-14 in 1990.

THE LAST MEETING: Nebraska rushed for 238 yards to the Huskies' 74 and racked up 525 yards of total offense while keeping NIU out of the end zone in a 44-8 win on Sept. 14, 2019. NIU's points came on two field goals and a safety, despite twice advancing inside the NU 10-yard line in the second half. Nebraska built a 30-5 halftime lead in a half that featured punts fumbled, blocked and faked (unsuccessfully), an onside kick, field goals and PATs blocked and explosive plays by the Cornhuskers. Nebraska averaged 7.2 yards per rush with a pair of 60 yard runs in the game. NIU quarterback Ross Bowers completed 25-of-44 passes for 248 yards to 12 different Huskies. 

ABOUT LAST WEEK: Despite a strong effort by the Huskie defense, which held Southern Illinois to 12 first downs, 71 rushing yards thanks to five quarterback sacks and 1-of-11 third down conversions, the NIU offense stopped itself with three interceptions, including two in the fourth quarter and two missed field goals, allowing SIU to earn a 14-11 win at Huskie Stadium. The Salukis took a 14-0 lead before NIU came back to score on a 27-yard field goal by Jake Seibert and a 62-yard touchdown pass from Rocky Lombardi to Kacper Rutkiewicz, followed by a two-point PAT, early in the fourth quarter.     

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. 

AGAINST THE B1G: Six of NIU's eight Big Ten wins all-time have come in the Huskies' last 13 games versus teams from that league, including its most recent victory over a Big Ten opponent at Nebraska on Sept. 16, 2017. The Huskies have lost their last three games versus Big Ten teams - at Iowa (2018), at Nebraska (2019) and at Michigan (2021). NIU is 8-39-1 all-time versus teams that currently make up the Big Ten Conference and has faced at least one Big Ten opponent in 12 of the last 15 seasons (with no non-conference games played in 2020).   

HOMEWARD BOUND: This game marks a homecoming for three Nebraska natives on the NIU roster in junior defensive tackle Cade Haberman (Blair/Westside HS)and a pair of redshirt freshman teammates from Omaha and Millard South High School, linebacker Jake Gassaway and running back Christian Nash. In addition, cornerback Gabriel Amegatcher - an Illinois native - transferred to NIU for his senior season after  five years at Nebraska-Kearney. 

BEEN HERE BEFORE: Four Huskies will be making their second trip to Memorial Stadium. Defensive linemen James Ester and Demond Taylor Jr., tight end Tristen Tewes and offensive tackle Nolan Potter were all on the travel squad for the 2019 NIU-Nebraska game. Ester and Demond Taylor saw action in the game as true freshmen as did Potter in his redshirt freshman season.   

HE LOOKS FAMILIAR: While most of the rosters of both teams have turned over since the teams' last meeting in 2019, one player on Nebraska's roster has more recent experience with the Huskies. NU quarterback Jeff Sims was the starting QB for Georgia Tech on Sept. 4, 2021 when the Huskies pulled out a 22-21 win over the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta on a touchdown and two-point conversion with 38 seconds to play. Sims completed 4-of-9 passes for 23 yards and ran six times for 34 yards with a fumble lost before leaving the game with nine minutes to play in the second quarter due to injury.  
  
OPENING DAY W: NIU opened the 2023 season with a 27-24 win at Boston College as Rocky Lombardi scored on a quarterback sneak in overtime after the Huskie defense held Boston College to a 39-yard field goal in its OT period. The Huskies led 7-0 at halftime and took a 14-0 lead on the opening drive of the third quarter. BC cut the lead in half after recovering a fumble at the NIU 25, and the teams traded touchdowns to start the fourth quarter before the Eagles tied the game with 1:44 to play on a six-play, 83-yard drive. Antario Brown scored touchdowns rushing and receiving, the latter on a pass from fellow running back Justin Lynch.  

DOGS IN OT: NIU's season opening win at Boston College in overtime marked the Huskies' 10th, 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.  

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	104	65	.615
Illinois State	91	60	.603
Northwestern	84	79	.515
Southern Illinois	69	80	.463
Illinois	62	97	.390
Eastern Illinois	56	90	.383
Western Illinois	52	96	.351

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 510th football game this week, and has missed just one football game since calling his initial game between the Huskies and 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. 

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 Watch Lists, respectively. Quarterback Rocky Lombardi earned a spot on the Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List. 

THEY'RE ALL HUSKIES NOW: Transfers are a way of life in college football in 2023 and NIU added 16 new transfers this offseason to the eight returnees who started their collegiate careers elsewhere. NIU attracted players from nearly every level of college football from junior colleges to "Power 5" and Group of 5 schools, HBCUs, FCS, Division II and Division III. Seventeen of the transfer Huskies have played and seven have started at least one game. The list of transfers who have played with returning players in bold and career NIU games started under GS. 

No.    Name    Pos.    Elig.    GS    Hometown (Previous School)    
16    Gabriel Amegatcher    CB    Sr.-R        Romeoville, Ill. (Nebraska-Kearney)
81    Grayson Barnes    WR    Jr.        Rocklin, Calif. (American River CC)
11    Chris Carter    TE    Jr.    1    Detroit, Mich. (Howard)
12    Shaad Dabney    CB    Jr.        Atlanta, Ga. (Kansas)
98    Tom Foley    P    Jr.-R    2    Peoria, Ill. (Minnesota)
23    DaRon Gilbert    LB    Sr.    2    Detroit, Mich. (Lafayette)
58    Skyler Gill-Howard    DT    So.-R        Milwaukee, Wis. (Upper Iowa)
0    Tyler Jackson    LB    Sr.-R        Alief, Texas (Lamar)
12    Rocky Lombardi    QB    Sr.-R    17    Clive, Iowa (Michigan State)
5    Justin Lynch    RB    Jr.    3    Chicago, Ill. (Temple)
9    Davis Patterson    WR    Sr.-R        Arlington, Va. (Notre Dame College)
37    Joey Rattin    LB    Jr.        Palatine, Ill. (Upper Iowa)
8    Kacper Rutkiewicz    WR    Sr.        Mount Prospect, Ill. (Illinois State)
28    Nevaeh Sanders    DE    Jr.        Flint, Mich. (Iowa Western CC)
30    Jake Seibert    K    So.-R    2    Cincinnati, Ohio (Ohio State)    
32    Quinn Urwiler    LB    Jr.-R        Mooseheart, Ill. (North Dakota)
9    Nate Valcarcel    S    Jr.    2    Greenfield, Wis. (South Dakota)
21    Gavin Williams    RB    Jr.-R        Altoona, Iowa (Iowa)

SOLID START: The Huskie defense has put together a pair of solid performances to open the season, allowing opponents to average 15.5 first downs, 158.0 passing yards, 19 points and just 266.5 yards of total offense per game. Compare to last year's opponents' averages of 22.25 first downs, 252.8 passing yards, 32.8 points and 395.7 yards per game.  After SIU converted just 1 of 11 third downs, NIU currently ranks first in the MAC and 11th nationally in third down conversion percentage defense. The Huskie defense shut out Boston College for the first half last Saturday, the first shutout half for NIU since the first half of the 2021 MAC Championship Game versus Kent State (12/4/2021) and the Huskies forced BC to punt seven times, a mark reached just once in 2022. 

SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION: After two seasons playing a hybrid tight end/wide receiver position for NIU, redshirt sophomore George Gumbs made the transition to the defensive side of the ball following 2023 spring practices. He moved up the depth chart at defensive end throughout preseason practices, saw his first action at the position in the season opener at Boston College and recorded his first career sacks with 1.5 takedowns versus Southern Illinois. 

MAKING AN IMPACT: Through two games, first and second year transfers have accounted for 27 of the Huskies' 37 receptions on the year, led by second year Huskie Kacper Rutkiewicz (Illinois State) with 11 catches for 185 yards and newcomers Chris Carter (5-100) and Gavin Williams (5-32). Running back Williams, a transfer from Iowa, also ranks second on the team in rushing with 17 carries for 71 yards. Notre Dame College transfer Davis Patterson added the first three catches of his NIU career versus Southern Illinois and Grayson Barnes (American River CC) has made three grabs for 40 yards.

KACPER CONNECTION: Senior Kacper Rutkiewicz has developed into Rocky Lombardi's top target through two games in 2023 with 11 catches for 185 yards, including a career high six-catch, 139-yard day versus Southern Illinois. Rutkiewicz' total ranks as the second most receiving yards in the MAC this season and included a 62-yard touchdown, the ninth of his NIU career.   

DUAL THREAT BACK: Running back Antario Brown scored the Huskies' first two touchdowns of the season versus Boston College, on a seven-yard catch and run in the second quarter, and on a two-yard rush in the third. Brown is 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). Brown's receiving touchdown was the first of his NIU career and came on his second career catch. He has scored 14 total touchdowns in 20 games over the last three seasons.

PAVING THE WAY: NIU returned six offensive linemen who started at least seven games a year ago and the group came into the season with 118 career starts which ranked first among all FBS starting offensive lines. Junior Logan Zschernitz, who has not played this season due to injury, and sixth-year senior offensive tackle Nolan Potter lead all Huskies with 32 career starts. Junior utility man J.J. Lippe, who started games at guard, tackle and center a year ago, enters the Nebraska game with 23 career starts while junior John Champe has started 17 games. The "youngster" of the group is sophomore center Pete Nygra who started 11 games a year ago. Junior Evan Buss stepped into the left tackle spot and started nine games there in 2022. The most experienced starting units in the FBS heading into 2023:   

Career OL Starts (Entering the Season)    
    1.    NIU - 118
    2.    Kansas State - 116
    3.    West Virginia - 111
    4.    Clemson and Duke - 95

NIU Returning Starters Current Career Starts (includes 2023)
1.    Logan Zschernitz* and Nolan Potter - 32
3.    J.J. Lippe - 23
4.    John Champe - 17
5.    Pete Nygra - 13
6.    Evan Buss - 11
TOTAL -  128

VERSATILITY: The versatility of NIU fullback Brock Lampe and running back Justin Lynch was on display at Boston College as Lampe served as a lead blocker while lined up at tight end, a ballcarrier with three third down conversion runs and a one-yard touchdown, and a receiver with two catches for 28 yards. The second, a one-handed grab, put NIU inside the Eagles' 10-yard line in overtime. Lynch carried the ball three times for 12 yards, was targeted as a receiver and, threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to Antario Brown off a direct snap. Not to mention they both play special teams.   

RUT ON THE RETURN: In just two games and on just two returns, new punt return man Kacper Rutkiewicz has surpassed NIU's 2022 team total for punt return yards. NIU finished the 2022 season with six punt returns for 13 yards. Versus Southern Illinois, Rutkiewicz returned two punts for 37 yards on returns of 19 and 18 yards. His 19-yard return in the second quarter is NIU's longest since Tyrice Richie's 23-yard punt return versus Toledo in 2021.  

TWICE AS NICE: In 46 games under Thomas Hammock, the Huskies have attempted 23 two point conversions and been successful on 11, the latest in the fourth quarter versus SIU when Trayvon Rudolph hit quarterback Rocky Lombardi to pull NIU within three points in the fourth quarter. NIU is 2-for-4 on two-point attempts rushing and is 9-of-19 passing on two-pointers since 2019. Trayvon  Rudolph's completed conversion pass was the second of his career in four attempts. Huskie two-pointers year-by-year under Hammock. 
 

Year	Games	Run	Pass	Total
2023	2	0-0	1-1	1-1
2022	12	1-3	3-5	4-8
2021	14	0-0	3-7	3-7
2020	6	1-1	1-3	2-4
2019	12	0-0	1-3	1-3
Total	46	2-4	9-19	11-23

WELCOME BACK: Trayvon Rudolph and Rocky Lombardi have returned to the Huskie offense in 2023 after missing all (Rudolph) or most (Lombardi) of the 2022 season.. Rudolph is back after catching a team-leading 51 passes for 892 yards and seven touchdowns in 2021 while Lombardi led NIU to the 2021 MAC Championship while throwing for 2,597 yards on 200-of-343 passing with 15 touchdowns and rushing for 473 yards and nine touchdowns. He played in four games in 2022 and was granted a seventh season via a medical redshirt. Lombardi played every snap and scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime at Boston College, and threw for 297 yards, his highest total since breaking the school record with 532 yards versus Kent State in 2021, last week versus Southern Illinois. Rudolph has caught four passes for 29 yards. 

GRADS: NIU's 2023 roster includes 17 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees - either at NIU or from another institution. James Ester (DT), Tom Foley (P), J.J. Lippe (OL), Nolan Potter (OT), Kacper Rutkiewicz (WR), Demond Taylor Jr. (DT) and Tristen Tewes (TE) are all Huskie graduates while transfers Gabe Amegatcher (CB), Keshon Artis (LB), Chris Carter (TE), Kendrell Flowers (RB), DaRon Gilbert (LB), Tyler Jackson (LB), C.J. Jordan (QB), Rocky Lombardi (QB), Gavin Patrick (TE) and Davis Patterson (WR) all arrived at NIU with their bachelor's degrees. 

LEADERS OF THE PACK: Five players were named 2023 permanent team captains this week. 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.

THE POWER OF THREE: Over the years, good things have happened for NIU Football in years that have ended in the number "3". 

• The 1963 Huskies finished 10-0, won the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship and were voted College Division National Champions by the Associated Press.
• In 1983, NIU won its first Mid-American Conference Championship and finished the season with a 10-2 record after winning its first bowl game as a "Major College" (now FBS) program.
• In 1993, running back LeShon Johnson led the NCAA Division I-A in rushing with 1,976 yards on 327 carries with 2,028 all-purpose yards to become the first consensus All-American in school history; Johnson finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting.  
• The 2003 Huskies defeated No. 15 Maryland (20-13 OT), No. 21 Alabama (19-16) and Iowa State (24-16) to open the season and were ranked as high as No. 12 in the country (AP) behind eventual All-Pro running back Michael Turner. 
• Quarterback and Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch finished third in voting for the Trophy in 2013. He earned AP All-America honors after leading NIU to an undefeated regular season, setting NCAA quarterback records for rushing (1,920) and touchdowns (23).

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.

HUSKIE DEBUTS: Sixteen of the 61 Huskies who played at Boston College were making their NIU debuts. The group included 11 transfers (10 new, 1 returning), redshirt freshmen Malik Armstrong (WR), Jalen Johnson (WR) and Evan Malcore (OL), redshirt sophomore Luke Pinnick (OL) and true freshman Santana Banner (S). Five players recorded their first starts in a Huskie uniform at BC: Chris Carter (TE) and DaRon Gilbert (LB), sophomores Roy Williams (DE) and Izzy Ozoh (TE) and  junior Nate Valcarcel (S), while receiver Davis Patterson got his first start at Southern Illinois.

FIRSTS: Several Huskies have recorded career "firsts" so far in 2023, including three touchdowns by NIU veterans. Junior running back Antario Brown collected his first receiving touchdown, fullback Brock Lampe scored his first touchdown (rushing) at Boston College while also earning his first carries and Justin Lynch threw his first touchdown pass as a Huskie. Newcomers Chris Carter and Grayson Barnes caught their first passes in a NIU uniform. Versus Southern Illinois, receivers Davis Patterson and Jalen Johnson caught their first passes as Huskies.  Defensively, cornerback JaVaughn Byrd's third quarter interception at BC was the first of his career while sophomore defensive ends Roy Williams (at Boston College) and George Gumbs (versus SIU) tallied their first career sacks.

COAST TO COAST: The Huskies' 2023 roster includes players from 18 different states stretching from coast to coast, as well as Canada. Among the newcomers on the roster are players from California, Oregon and Texas. Georgia has outpaced Florida with 12 Peach state natives compared to five from the Sunshine State.

OFF THE FIELD: Huskie kicker Kanon Woodill is a member of the ROTC program at NIU. Over the summer, the Huskies once again participated in a Habitat for Humanity build in Rockford, Illinois, the second year in a row the team has collectively participated.