The Story of NIU Football
Over a century of Huskie Football.
Northern Illinois Huskies Football
Founded: 1899 — first game played against DeKalb High School
Conference: Mid-American Conference (MAC) — joined 1975, left after 1985, returned in 1997. Leaving the MAC after the 2025 season.
Home: Huskie Stadium, DeKalb, IL — opened 1965, capacity 28,211
Colors: Cardinal and Black
MAC Championships: 6 titles — 1983, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021
Bowl Appearances: 16 bowl games (6–10 record), including the 2013 BCS Orange Bowl
Built From the Ground Up
NIU football traces its roots to 1899, with the first game played against DeKalb High School. The Huskies played as an independent before joining the MAC in 1975, leaving after 1985, and returning to the conference in 1997.
Joe Novak (1996–2007) compiled 63 wins and turned the program around with seven consecutive winning seasons. The Jerry Kill, Dave Doeren, Rod Carey, and Thomas Hammock eras that followed built NIU into one of college football's most consistent mid-major programs — six MAC championships and repeated upsets over Power 5 opponents.
The 2012 season earned NIU a bid to the 2013 Orange Bowl, the program's first-ever BCS bowl appearance. The 2024 Notre Dame upset (16–14) proved the standard remains.
NIU football punches above its weight. Always has. Always will.
Key Eras
1899 – 1974
The Foundation Years
NIU builds its program as an independent. Huskie Stadium opens in 1965. Seven decades of competitive football lay the groundwork for what comes next.
1975 – 2002
MAC Era Begins
NIU joins the MAC in 1975 and captures its first conference championship in 1983. After leaving the MAC in 1985, the Huskies return in 1997. Joe Novak takes over in 1996 and slowly turns the program around.
2003 – Present
The Boneyard Era
NIU shocks Alabama (2003), reaches the BCS Orange Bowl (2013), and beats #5 Notre Dame (2024). Five MAC titles since 2011. The Huskies become synonymous with upsets and grit.
Boneyard Victories
NIU Football Boneyard Victories — upsets over Power 5 and traditionally larger programs. Through September 2024.
18 Boneyard Wins
Power 5 & Big Conference upsets
1983 — 2024
'83
at Kansas
Sept. 3, 1983
37–34
'88
at Wisconsin
Sept. 17, 1988
19–17
'89
at Kansas State
Sept. 23, 1989
37–20
'90
vs. Kansas State
Sept. 22, 1990
42–35
'02
vs. Wake Forest (OT)
Aug. 29, 2002
42–41
'03
vs. #13 Maryland
Aug. 28, 2003
20–13
'03
at #21 Alabama
Sept. 20, 2003
19–16
'03
vs. Iowa State
Sept. 27, 2003
24–16
'09
at Purdue
Sept. 19, 2009
28–21
'10
at Minnesota
Sept. 25, 2010
34–23
'12
vs. Kansas
Sept. 22, 2012
30–23
'13
at Iowa
Aug. 31, 2013
30–27
'13
at Purdue
Sept. 28, 2013
55–24
'14
at Northwestern
Sept. 6, 2014
23–15
'17
at Nebraska
Sept. 16, 2017
21–17
'21
at Georgia Tech
Sept. 4, 2021
22–21
'23
at Boston College
Sept. 2, 2023
27–24
'24
at #5 Notre Dame
Sept. 7, 2024
16–14
NIU Football Record Book
The complete NIU Football record book, history, and season recap — straight from NIU Athletics.