Football | August 9

DeKALB, IL – Practicing in conditions they may see in its season opener three weeks from Saturday against Holy Cross, the Northern Illinois University football team held its first scrimmage of preseason camp at Huskie Stadium.
 
Saturday's practice had two extended team periods in the 90-degree heat. Quarterback Josh Holst (Marengo, Ill./Marengo) moved the ball down field with a 40-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver George Dimopoulos (Crystal Lake, Ill./Crystal Lake Central) on a third down to keep a drive alive. He also connected with DeAree Rogers (Lexington, S.C./Lenoir-Rhyne) for a long touchdown. In the final team period, Holst found Gary Givens (Tampa, Fla./Valparaiso) over the middle to convert a third down.
 
"Josh was good today and managed the offense well for what we gave him," said head coach Thomas Hammock. "We have a lot of talent and only one football. Those receivers want the ball. The quarterbacks want the ball. The tight ends want the ball. Coach [Quinn] Sanders has a delicate job of spreading it around."
 
The defense had its moments as well in the first period, being disruptive at the point of attack. Senior defensive end Roy Williams (Crestwood, Ill./Shepard) made it into the backfield for a sack as well as freshman defensive tackle Jordan Bellamy (St. Petersburg, Fla./Armwood). With multiple personnel groupings being used, Hammock saw an opportunity to better evaluate his team ahead of the season opener.
 
"We saw some two's with the ones, one's with the twos as we get together the team we're going to play with," Hammock said.
 
The running game was also prevalent on Saturday as Telly Johnson Jr. (Augusta, Ga./Hephzibah), Jaylen Poe (Dallas, Ga./North Paulding) and Chavon Wright (Opa Locka, Fla./Charleston) were able to move the chains. Freshman Lazaro Rogers (Fort Myers, Fla./East Lee County) also made some big runs in reps with the newcomers, showing the depth of the running back room.
 
"Lazaro is a phenomenal young player and he's stacked behind a lot of other talented guys," said Hammock. "We're going to give him enough reps in camp that, if the opportunity presents itself in the season and we don't know if that'll happen or not, he'll be ready. We're loaded at that position and it's probably the best backfield we've had in my time here. I'm excited about that group."
 
NIU opens the 2025 season on Saturday, August 30 at 2:30 p.m. against Holy Cross at Huskie Stadium. 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--