Football | August 5

DeKALB, IL – As the Northern Illinois University football team continues it's preseason camp at Huskie Stadium, the offense is continually acclimating to new offensive coordinator Quinn Sanders' scheme. While the faces may be new on the offensive line and in the tight end room, one thing remains the same. They have to block who's in front of them.
 
"We have seven to eight guys on the line that I feel we can go win with," said head coach Thomas Hammock following Tuesday morning's practice. "[Assistant] Coach [Luke] Meadows has done a great job developing that group. The challenge is to continue to develop depth. We want to try to get to 10 linemen that feel comfortable playing with. We have really good athletic offensive linemen that will give us a chance to execute the type of offense we want to run."
 
The Huskies have to replace four starters from last year's line that was second in the Mid-American Conference in rushing yards per game (203.8) and fewest sacks allowed at 1.46 per game. While replacing over 200 games of experience may seem daunting, offensive line coach Luke Meadows knows what needs to be for the next wave of NIU linemen.
 
"We have to develop guys faster now and quicker than before," Meadows said. "We didn't get hit with transfers, we lost a lot of seniors. They were very good players, but now it's this group's time. We have to get more experience for this group in a shorter amount of time."
 
The most experienced of the group is redshirt-junior Evan Malcore (Sun Prairie, Wis./Sun Prairie) who started all 13 games at left tackle in 2024 and has played in 26 games over the last two seasons.
 
"What Malcore has done a good job of is be more of a leader," said Meadows. "Last year he didn't have to be a leader. His role was to play left tackle. Now his role is to do that plus be a leader. He has found a way to lead that's really good. Evan also plays well off of Abiathar Curry, who has also become a leader not just with our group, but the whole team."
 
Three other Huskies played in at least 10 games last season with redshirt-sophomore Abiathar Curry (Janesville, Wis./Parker) playing in all 13 as Luke Skartvedt appeared in 12. Thomas Paasch (Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Southwest) played in 12 games with two starts at right tackle.
 
"The game is won or lost in the trenches," Hammock said. "They are going against a defensive line every day that challenges them. They responded today and put some really good plays together, gave the quarterbacks time and the running backs room to run. The more they continue to gel, the better they'll be. The center position is really giving us an edge with Aidan Tweedy and Landon Hron."
 
The tight end group is one of the youngest on the team. Of the nine on the roster, seven are redshirt or true freshmen. Redshirt-Junior Jake Appleget (Lincoln, Neb./Nebraska) played in eight games in 2024, catching four passes for 45 yards. He had two receptions for 29 yards in NIU's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win. The group added some more experience this spring with redshirt-senior Pierce Oppong (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) adding playing tight end to playing defensive end.  
 
"Jake Appleget has done a great job leading the room," said tight ends coach Brayden Patton, who is in his first season on Hammock's staff after playing for NIU from 2017-21. "Everything he brings to us is top notch. Pierce is playing defensive end and tight end for us and doing a great job. Jason Fowler, Devon Akers and Joe Stein haven't played a lot of snaps but they're very athletic and work very hard. The group has done a good job of having energy, being accountable and showing toughness with all they have to do."
 
NIU is back on the practice field Wednesday night before an off day on Thursday.
 
Season and single game tickets are on sale now for the 2025 NIU Football season. Season ticket prices for NIU's six 2025 home games begin at as little as $110 each for a general admission ticket. With the purchase of the Huskie 4-Pack (four or more tickets), pay $110 each for a reserved seat in sections A, B or F on the West Side. Reserved west side seats are priced at $152 or $170 with discounts available for NIU alumni, NIU faculty/staff, DeKalb County residents, seniors (62+) and members of the Varsity Club (former student-athletes). 
  
Purchase tickets for the 2025 NIU Football season anytime online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. For more information, call the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or email huskiestickets@niu.edu. 
 
--NIU--