Football recruiting intelligence
NIU begins its first Mountain West season
Follow Northern Illinois University recruiting, transfer portal activity, personnel, roster forecasts, and football news.
NIU opens its season with a loss at Iowa
Northern Illinois Athletics · Author not listed
Northern Illinois fell 40-0 at Iowa in interim head coach Rob Harley's first game in charge. The Huskies faced an early deficit after three opening touchdown drives, while Jashawn Nelson recorded a career-high 10 tackles.
Huskies honor Joe Novak with a helmet decal
Northern Illinois Athletics · Author not listed
Northern Illinois introduced a helmet sticker honoring former coach Joe Novak throughout the 2026 season. The design combines his initials, a reference to the program's major victories, and the work ethic associated with his years leading the Huskies.
NIU begins its first Mountain West season
Northern Illinois Athletics · Author not listed
The Huskies' Iowa preview marks the start of their first season as a Mountain West program. It introduces returning offensive contributors, reviews the Iowa series, and gathers game notes and coverage links for the opening road trip.