DeKALB, Ill. – It's another jam-packed day of promotions, special guests and entertainment Saturday surrounding the Northern Illinois University home football game against UMass with kickoff set for 11 a.m. at Huskie Stadium. Take advantage of great deals on tickets, check in at The Yard for pregame fun and food, shop for Huskie gear and don't forget to Enter to Win. Keep reading for more on all of the Huskie happenings as you prepare for an exciting day of football in DeKalb.
 
ONLINE ONLY! Single Game Tickets at Promo Prices
Purchase tickets for Saturday's NIU-UMass game online in advance to take advantage of promotional pricing with West Side Reserved seats available for just $20 and East Side general admission tickets on sale for $12.50. Use the promo code HUSKIES20K.  These prices are only good for online purchases.
 
NIU is also offering special pricing on premium seats in the best locations in Huskie Stadium with single game pricing for Bench Back seats at $45 and Chair Backs for $55.  Order tickets online now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets.
 
Enter to Win BIG on the West Side
This week, one lucky fan seated on the West Side of Huskie Stadium will win $2,500 courtesy of game sponsor Kunes Auto Group of Sycamore! Season ticket members with West Side Reserved seats and single game purchasers can stop at the tables located at the entrances and enter to win. Only one entry is allowed per person and current NIU students are not eligible. The lucky winner will be announced during the third quarter.   
 
Students are Winners Too
Saturday's winners are not limited to the West Side as there are a pair of promotions this weekend for NIU students.
 
First, one NIU student who attends both Thursday night's volleyball match versus Akron in Victor E. Court AND the NIU-UMass football game will win a $1500 scholarship courtesy of a generous donor to Huskie Athletics. The winner will be announced in the third quarter.
 
On Saturday, one NIU student at the NIU-UMass game will be randomly selected to kick a 40-yard field goal during the third quarter. Make the field goal and win a new 2024 Hyundai Sonata courtesy of game sponsor Kunes Auto Group of Sycamore.
 
Student tickets for Huskie games are always FREE and can be downloaded through the NIU Huskies app.   
 
Cancer Awareness T's at Victor E. Threads
This Saturday all five Victor E. Threads locations (see list and hours below) will be participating in the Cancer Awareness game with a special offer. With purchase of a NIU hoodie, fans will receive a free Huskie cancer awareness T-shirt in their choice of one of 16 colors which support different cancers – including breast cancer (pink), brain cancer (gray) and leukemia/kidney cancer (orange). The T-shirts are also available for purchase for $15 each.
 
Fighting Huskie T-shirts, hats and novelty items, "No Luck Needed" shirts commemorating the win over Notre Dame, and a wide array of items are also available, from kids' sizes to 3 XL.  All Victor E. Threads locations are cashless.
 
The Yard (West Lawn of Huskie Stadium) – 8-10:30 am
NIU Recreation Center – 8 am-Noon
West Side of Huskie Stadium – 8 am-postgame
East side of Huskie Stadium – 9:30am-postgame
Inside Northeast Field Gate (accessible for Terrace Club and other guests) – 9:30 am-postgame
 
The Huskie Legends Jerseys – honoring the careers of George Bork, Michael Turner and Jordan Lynch – also  are in stock and available as NIU Athletics celebrates its 125th Anniversary in 2024-25.
 
GameDay Timeline
6:00 am               Parking Lots Open (remember, parking in the Convo Lots is FREE!)
8:00 am               Huskie Stadium Ticket Offices (East & West Sides) Open
                                Parking Lot Shuttles (from NIU Convocation Center and Lot K) Available
                                The Yard, presented by Nutrl, Opens
                                                Featuring live music Wait, What
9:30 am               Pep Rally in The Yard with the Huskie Marching Band, Silverettes and Cheerleaders
                                Huskie Stadium Gates Open
10:30 am            The Yard Closes – Head for the Stadium!
10:45 am            Pre-Game Show featuring Huskie Marching Band, Choir performs the National Anthem
11:02 am            KICKOFF!
 
The Yard, presented by Nutrl
The Yard, in the West Lawn, is the perfect – and completely FREE - pregame gathering space for all Huskie fans. The Yard features live entertainment, the Kids' Zone, the Huskie Athletic Fund tent and NIU sponsors, as well as food and beverages, including beer, available for purchase. This week, enjoy music from "Wait, What and purchase food from Burritoville and Papa John's. The Huskie Marching Band, Silverettes and NIU Cheerleaders will be there at 9:30 a.m. to stir up the Huskie spirit.
 
Special Guests of All Ages
NIU will welcome several special groups at Saturday's football game. The UMass game is the annual Pup Club game with all 2024-25 members invited to the North End Zone to form the pregame tunnel for the Huskies.  Adults (up to 2) accompanying the Pup Club members can purchase tickets for just $18. 
 
Saturday is also Scout Day, Employee Appreciation Day and Football Alumni Day with representatives of each of those groups in attendance in different locations throughout Huskie Stadium. Finally, in cooperation with Toyota and Northwestern Medicine, a special group of cancer patients and survivors will receive a pregame VIP Tour and seats in the Terrace, with several being recognized on the field during the second quarter.
 
School of Music Performers
In addition to the recognitions, Saturday's national anthem will be performed by the NIU Chamber Choir while the world-famous NIU Steelband will be a part of halftime performance by the Huskie Marching Band.
 
REMINDERS: Download Digital Tickets/Clear Bag Policy/ Cashless Concessions/Keeping Cool
Before getting to the gates, and even before leaving home, download all digital tickets to your smartphone to avoid any wi-fi issues and ensure you get to your seats before kickoff! Remember, a clear bag policy is in effect for all NIU Athletics and NIU Convocation Center events. Only clear totes (no larger than 12"x 12"x 6"), one-gallon clear plastic bags and small clutch purses (no larger than 5.5"x 8.5"x 3") are permitted to be carried into Huskie Stadium. Concessions at Huskie Stadium are cashless so be prepared to make your purchases by credit card.
 
Fans may also bring in bottled water with a limit of one bottle per person, provided it is in a clear plastic commercial container no larger than one liter. The container must be new (not opened) or empty.
 
Listen and Watch
Again this season, all NIU Football radio broadcasts can be heard on 94-9 WDKB, the flagship station for NIU Athletics and will be streamed on 949wdkb.com.  The game broadcasts will also be available on the TuneIn app and on the NIU Huskies app. Both are free to download. New Huskie play-by-play voice Andy Garcia is joined by veteran color analyst Mark Lindo, who is in his 40th season in the booth in 2024. Local broadcaster Terry Bonadonna mans the sidelines for the Huskie Sports Radio Network.
 
Watch the NIU-UMass game live on CBS Sports Network. 
 
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