DEKALB, Ill. – The excitement of the first home football game on campus is upon us as the NIU Huskies host Illinois State on Saturday night at 6 p.m. at Huskie Stadium. Below are just a few reminders and things to look out for prior to the first home game of the season. 

Parking Lots Open at 1 p.m.
All Huskie Stadium parking lots open five hours prior to kickoff, meaning this Saturday the lots will be open starting at 1 p.m. Fans still needing to purchase parking can do so now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. Parking in the Convocation Center lots is $30 in advance and will increase to $35 on game day. As a reminder, parking payments on the day of game will be cashless. 

Purchasing Tickets
Tickets for Saturday's home opener are also still available at NIUHuskies.com/tickets or via the Convocation Center Box Office until 5 p.m. on Friday. The Huskie Stadium Box Office will open three hours prior to kickoff on Saturday. All ticket prices will increase by $5 on walkup on game day. In addition, the Huskie Stadium Box Office will be cashless and fans will be unable to select specific locations when purchasing at the box office on the day of game.

George Bork Way Dedication
Huskie fans are invited to attend the dedication of George Bork Way at 3 p.m. just outside the west side of Huskie Stadium. A member of the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 1983, Bork was the first quarterback in NCAA history to throw for more than 3,000 yards, and he becomes the first NIU alum to have a street named in his honor on campus. 

Join the Huskies for the Dog Walk
New this season, Huskie fans are encouraged to cheer on the team as they make their "Dog Walk" beginning at 4 p.m. The team will exit the east side of the Barsema Hall of Champions near Mary M. Bell Field and walk down the outside of Huskie Stadium on the east side before entering the stadium at the southeast gate. Everyone is invited to greet the team and cheer them on before they enter the stadium. 

Updated Signage at Huskie Stadium
Signage and entry gates to Huskie Stadium have received a facelift prior to the 2026 season, thanks to a privately-funded initiative. Entry gate and ticket window signage have been reimagined and improved to help fans entering the stadium. 

In addition, a number of elements have been added to celebrate the tradition of Huskie football, including a medallion celebrating NIU's conference champions as well as permanent graphics honoring NIU's College Football Hall of Famers, George Bork and Jordan Lynch as well as in-stadium placement of retired numbers. 



Joe Novak Pregame Tribute Video
Shortly before kickoff make sure you are in your seats for a special video tribute to Joe Novak. A simply legendary figure in the history of Huskie football, Coach Novak guided the NIU football program from 1996-2007, winning 63 games while turning around the fortunes of the Huskie football program. The Huskies will be wearing a special helmet decal all season honoring the legacy of Coach Novak. 

Jordan Lynch NFF College Football Hall of Fame On-Campus Salute
During Saturday's contest we will also be honoring Jordan Lynch for his upcoming induction into the College Football Hall of Fame. A 2013 Heisman Trophy finalist, Lynch set five NCAA records during his time as a Huskie, leading NIU to a 24-4 record as a starter from 2012-13, including a MAC Championship and a historic appearance in the Orange Bowl to cap his junior season in 2012. Lynch was named to the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Class in January and will be formally inducted in December at the 68th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas. 

Shop Victor E Threads on Saturday
The best place to shop for all your Huskie gear is Victor E Threads, the Official Apparel Store of NIU Athletics. With locations on both the east and west sides of Huskie Stadium, Victor E Threads is the best place to purchase Huskie apparel, whether you are looking for classic favorites or this season's newest styles. The expanded, privately funded west side location offers a more expansive selection of product for Huskie fans this season. 

George Bork and Jordan Lynch jerseys will be available buy one, get one for 50 percent off, so show your Huskie Pride and honor a pair of NIU legends by picking up jerseys this Saturday.