Football | August 11

DeKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University football team ranked sixth in all of the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in passing defense in 2023, allowing just 171.2 passing yards per game. The Huskies' defensive line set the tone for NIU's defensive success, and head coach Thomas Hammock says they set the tone for the success of the program at large.
 
"The defensive line, in theory, should run your program because they establish a level of physicality in the trenches," Hammock said. "They allow the offensive line to get better. They allow the guys behind them on defense to get better by being disruptive. If there is one position you want to be a strong unit it's the defensive line. I've been very pleased with how the guys in our program have developed. I think Coach [Jordan] Gigli and Coach [Travis] Moore have done a phenomenal job of taking young guys and molding them into good players."
 
The Huskies return seven defensive linemen who played at least 12 games in 2023. Defensive End Raishein Thomas (Racine, Wis.) led NIU in tackles with 74, and tackles for loss with 7.5, becoming the first NIU defensive lineman to lead the team in tackles. He was one of four NIU defensive ends to have at least two sacks in 2023. Roy Williams (Crestwood, Ill.) had 3.5 sacks with Neveah Sanders (Flint, Mich.) adding a pair.
 
Adding depth at defensive end are redshirt-juniors Jalonnie Williams (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Pierce Oppong (Bloomington, Minn.) and freshman Lance Ingold (Rochester, Ill.). Oppong has played 33 games in his NIU career with 46 tackles and six tackles for loss. Williams played in five of the last six games last season, making four tackles including a half-sack in NIU's Camellia Bowl win over Arkansas State.
 
"Our focus has always been on the next man up," said Moore. "We believe in developing the first guy on the roster on down to the last man. Everyone has an equal opportunity to develop their skill. That's something we've talked about since day one."
 
The defensive tackle group looks to show its depth in 2024 after the graduation of three-time All-MAC selection James Ester, who saw action in the Green Bay Packers' first preseason game Saturday night. Senior Devonte O'Malley (Midlothian, Ill.) had 35 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback sacks in 2023. He has had at least four tackles for loss and three sacks in each of the last three seasons.
 
"I said six months ago we're going to lose a guy to the pros and be better this year," said Gigli. "The experience coming back helps that. Skyler Gill-Howard with another year of playing the position is key. You're really seeing guys perfect their craft which allows us to go deeper into how to play the position."
 
Seniors Demond Taylor Jr. (East St. Louis, Ill.) and Cade Haberman (Blair, Neb.) each had double-digit tackles in 2023. Taylor had 24 tackles in 12 games with Haberman adding 11. Haberman has been named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list and nominated for the 2024 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his community service efforts. Skyler Gill-Howard (Milwaukee, Wis.) looks to build on his breakout 2023 season where he made 24 tackles while playing in all 13 games. Redshirt-Freshman Mark Hensley (Labadie, Mo.) also looks to make an impact on the interior of the NIU defensive line.
 
"I believe our defensive line will be stronger than it was a year ago," Hammock said. "You take a young guy like Mark Hensley, a redshirt-freshman, who is working himself into being a big contributor for us. We just continue to get deeper and deeper with more guys who can rotate in and do different things. Lance Ingold has done a phenomenal job this summer. You continue to add depth like that and you can keep fresh bodies out there and attack an offense."
 
After a full team scrimmage on Saturday, the Huskies practice for 90 minutes late Sunday morning at Huskie Stadium. A final team period for the NIU freshmen and newcomers gave the coaching staff a look at who can contribute for the Huskies for not only 2024 but the future.
 
"We want to continue to develop everybody on our team and that's important," said Hammock. "I want our young guys to understand that we're giving them an opportunity at reps that other programs don't give young players. We want to continue to give them reps and we have a plan, in season, for how we're going to continue to practice them and have them continue to develop and get closer to having an opportunity to play."
 
The Huskies open the 2024 season at Huskie Stadium on Saturday, August 31 against Western Illinois. Check out all of the ticket options and buy tickets anytime online at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies. To request more information and connect with a member of the NIU ticket staff, click here or call the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225). Calls received outside of business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm CT) will be returned the next business day. 
 
--NIU--