The 2022 NIU football team will take to the practice field 15 times this spring, culminating with the Spring Showcase at Huskie Stadium on Saturday, April 16. The Huskies won their sixth Mid-American Conference championship in 2021, defeating Kent State 41-23. With the win NIU became the first team in FBS history to win its conference title game one season after going winless. The Huskies went 0-6 in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, with three losses by one score. NIU turned it around in 2021 with seven wins by one score and a 9-5 record overall. The nine-win improvement was the largest one-year jump in school history. NIU returns 18 starters off that 2021 championship team.
Spring football practices are open to the public in 2022 (see schedule below). Fans are asked to watch from the West Stands. Download the free NIU Huskies app and bring the spring roster with you to every practice. Check back here on Spring Football Central for more video coverage like the pre-spring press conference below, write-ups and interviews. Follow @NIUAthletics on Twitter, and NIU Huskies on instagram and Facebook, and
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NIU Athletics YouTube page TODAY to keep up with the Huskies all season long.
MORE NIU Football Spring Coverage on the NIU Athletics YouTube Channel
NIU Football Spring Report - 1: Offense
NIU Football Spring Report - 2: Defense
NIU Football Spring Report - 3: Special Teams & More
Head Coach Thomas Hammock and the Huskies open the 2022 season at Huskie Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 3 against Eastern Illinois. NIU then heads to Tulsa on Sept. 10 to face the Golden Hurricane in the first meeting between the two programs. For the first time since 1994 and only the second time in school history, NIU's non-conference schedule features a pair of SEC opponents. On September 17, Vanderbilt becomes the first SEC team to play in DeKalb since their visit in 1997, and one week later on September 24, NIU and Kentucky will meet for the first time in Lexington, Kentucky. The Huskies begin defense of their MAC title on Oct. 1 at Ball State. Season tickets are on sale NOW, click the graphic below to purchase TODAY.
2022 SPRING PRACTICE SCHEDULE
**Practices to be held at Huskie Stadium or in Chessick Practice Center and are open to the media and to the public. Schedule is subject to change.**
| Date |
Practice |
Time (CT) |
Coverage/Notes |
| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23 |
PRACTICE #1 |
7:45 AM |
Huskies Open Spring Practice |
| FRIDAY, MARCH 25 |
PRACTICE #2 |
7 AM |
|
| SATURDAY, MARCH 26 |
PRACTICE #3 |
9 AM |
Huskies Don Pads For First Time |
|
|
|
Inside Scoop Video: First Day in Pads |
| MONDAY, MARCH 28 |
PRACTICE #4 |
7 AM |
|
| WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30 |
PRACTICE #5/PRO DAY |
7 AM/10 AM |
Deveaux, Ratkovich Pleased with Pro Day Showing |
| FRIDAY, APRIL 1 |
PRACTICE #6 |
6:30 PM |
|
| SATURDAY, APRIL 2 |
PRACTICE #7 |
2 PM |
NIU Building Depth Through Physical, Intense Spring Practices |
| MONDAY, APRIL 4 |
PRACTICE #8 |
7 AM |
Inside Scoop Video: Halfway Point |
| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6 |
PRACTICE #9 |
7 AM |
|
| FRIDAY, APRIL 8 |
PRACTICE #10 |
6:30 PM |
|
| SATURDAY, APRIL 9 |
PRACTICE #11 |
2 PM |
Offense and Defense Battle in Saturday Scrimmage |
| MONDAY, APRIL 11 |
PRACTICE #12 |
7 AM |
Huskie Football Spring Showcase Set for April 16 |
| WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 |
PRACTICE #13 |
7 AM |
|
| FRIDAY, APRIL 15 |
PRACTICE #14 |
7 AM |
Inside Scoop Video: Spring Showcase Throwdown |
| SATURDAY, APRIL 16 |
SPRING SHOWCASE (PRACTICE #15) |
10 AM |
Huskies Wrap Up 2022 Spring Practice |
