DeKALB, Ill. – A "Red Out," new in-game entertainment and the kickoff of Northern Illinois University Athletics 125th Anniversary celebration are just a few of the gameday elements planned for Saturday's Northern Illinois University football home opener versus Western Illinois. The action in and around Huskie Stadium begins well before the 2:30 p.m. kickoff time in The Yard. Check out this gameday guide for the "need to knows" before heading to Huskie Stadium.   
 
Celebrating 125 with 12.50 Tickets!
NIU will be celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Huskie Athletics throughout the 2024-25 season, beginning this weekend with the first ticket deal of the year. Get East Side (general admission) tickets to the NIU-Western Illinois game for just $12.50 each when you purchase online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets and use promo code 125. Or click here to get your $12.50 tickets today!
 
Wear Red
Saturday's game is a "Red Out" with all fans encouraged to Wear Red to show your support for the Huskies! Don't have enough red? Stop by the new Victor E. Threads trailer in The Yard in the West Lawn or the Victor E. Threads kiosk on the East Side of Huskie Stadium. Check out the latest Huskie gear, including official adidas items, Fighting Huskie Ts and hats and more!
 
GameDay Timeline
9:30 am - Parking Lots Open (remember, parking in the Convo Lots is FREE!)
11:30 am - Huskie Stadium Ticket Offices (East & West Sides) Open
11:30 am - Parking Lot Shuttles (from NIU Convocation Center and Lot K) Available
11:30 am - The Yard, presented by Nutrl, opens featuring live music from Ethan Larson and Eli Somlock
Noon - Wrestling, Cross Country Team Autographs in The Yard
1 pm - Pep Rally in The Yard
1 pm - Huskie Stadium Gates Open
2 pm - The Yard Closes – Head for the Stadium!
2:30 pm - 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, team autographs, the Huskie Athletic Fund tent and NIU sponsors, as well as food and beverages, including beer, available for purchase. The Huskie Marching Band, Silverettes and NIU Cheerleaders will be there at 1 pm to stir up the Huskie spirit. This week, meet the NIU wrestling and cross country teams beginning at Noon.  
 
REMINDERS: Download Digital Tickets/Clear Bag Policy/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"x12"x6"), one-gallon clear plastic bags and small clutch purses (no larger than 5.5"x8.5"x3") are permitted to be carried into Huskie Stadium.
 
On Saturday, fans will 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.
 
Get Your Giveaway
On the way into Huskie Stadium on Saturday, fans will receive a Huskie scarf, courtesy of game sponsor Old National Bank. Of course, it's red for the Red Out with "Go Huskies" on one side and the Huskie script and Huskie primary logos on the other. Scarves will be available on the East and West sides of Huskie Stadium with only one scarf per person while supplies last.
 
What's New Inside Huskie Stadium
Take a look at the bright and beautiful new Astroturf from end zone to end zone and beyond, featuring NIU's primary logo at midfield with the NIU wordmark added to the North End Zone behind the goalposts. Hear the action better than ever before with the new audio system installed over the summer, while a live DJ will help bring the energy along with the Huskie Marching Band.  
 
 Welcome Back
NIU all-time greats and College Football Hall of Famers George Bork and Bob Heimerdinger will be at the game and will be honored. Heimerdinger is serving as the team's honorary captain and will be on the field for the coin toss prior to kickoff. In addition, members of the 2004 Silicon Valley Bowl and 2014 MAC Championship teams have been invited back for Saturday's game.   
 
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. Hear the debut of new Huskie play-by-play voice Andy Garcia, who is joined by veteran color analyst Mark Lindo, who begins his 40th season in the booth in 2024. Terry Bonadonna joins the crew as the sideline reporter.
 
The NIU-Western Illinois game will air on ESPN+ (subscription required).  
 
NIU season tickets, as well as single game tickets for any Huskie home game this year, are available to purchase 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. 
 
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