Tag: Northern Illinois football

Texas A&M HC Mike Elko wasn’t fazed by Notre Dame’s loss to Northern Illinois

Mike Elko is smart to avoid using another team’s loss as personal motivation

Texas A&M (1-1) head coach Mike Elko and his team will travel to the swamp to face the Florida Gators (1-1) on Saturday afternoon. Elko is looking to earn his first SEC victory, while the Aggies are entering the game with a conference losing streak dating back to the 2021 season.

On Wednesday, during Elko’s annual SEC Teleconference appearance, a reporter asked if Notre Dame’s Week 2 home loss to Northern Illinois affected how Elko and his staff will motivate the Aggies moving forward after losing to the Fighting Irish to open the 2024 campaign.

“No, I had no reaction to that.”

While the loss could affect Texas A&M’s college football playoff chances, as far-fetched as that may seem, Elko wasn’t fazed by it and will not use the shocking defeat as any motivation moving forward.

Compared to the remaining Notre Dame schedule, the Aggies have plenty of opportunities if they turn things around, including SEC matchups against Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi State, Auburn, LSU, South Carolina, and, of course, the Texas Longhorns to end the regular season.

Texas A&M will travel to Gainsville to take on the Florida Gators on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will air on ABC.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes, and opinions. Follow Cameron on Twitter: @CameronOhnysty.

NBC’s Dan Hicks delivered an exhilarating call of Northern Illinois’ blocked field goal to beat Notre Dame

“And the Huskies are celebrating the biggest upset in the school’s history!”

Northern Illinois came up with what will surely end up being one of the biggest upsets of the 2024 college football season on Saturday, taking down No. 5 Notre Dame, 16-14.

At no point were the Fighting Irish in control of the game, and they ended up playing from behind through much of it. But with a stunning 34-yard touchdown run from Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame took a 14-13 lead somewhat early still in the third quarter.

The Huskies later converted a fourth-quarter interception from Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard into a scoring drive with a 35-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in the game.

NIU UPSETS NOTRE DAME: Coach Thomas Hammock gave an amazing, emotional interview after Notre Dame upset

Notre Dame wasn’t able to get as far up the field as it hoped and was forced to kick a very long 62-yard field goal. But Huskies defensive tackle Cade Haberman came up big with his second blocked field goal of the game, and this one secured Northern Illinois’ first win against a top-10 opponent in program history.

While the Huskies delivered an exciting finish, NBC’s Dan Hicks was on the call and delivered too:

“And it’s blocked at the line up scrimmage! And the Huskies are celebrating the biggest upset in the school’s history!”

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Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock gave an amazing, emotional interview after Notre Dame upset

Northern Illinois pulled off a stunning upset against Notre Dame.

It was an amazing moment for Northern Illinois football and an absolute shocker for Notre Dame, and Huskies head coach Thomas Hammock was understandably overcome with emotion.

His Northern Illinois team went to South Bend to take on the No. 5 Fighting Irish in their home opener, blocked two field goals — including what would have been the go-ahead score as the fourth-quarter clock ran out — and came away with a stunning 16-14 victory.

It’s the first time Northern Illinois beat a top-10 opponent in program history.

Following a Notre Dame interception midway through the fourth quarter, Northern Illinois kicked a 35-yard field goal to give his team a two-point lead with just 31 seconds left. The Fighting Irish had to move quickly but were ultimately forced to kick a field goal to try and win.

But it was a long field goal — a 62-yarder with five seconds left on the clock. But Huskies’ Cade Haberman blocked his second field goal of the day to secure the win. His earlier block was on a 48-yard Notre Dame attempt as the second quarter clock ran out.

After the victory, Hammock delivered a wonderfully emotional interview. Fighting through tears, he said: “I’m so proud of our kids, the coaches, just everybody. They believed. They believed. And we came here and got it done.”

Hammock continued:

“I told them all week: We don’t need luck. We just gotta be our best, and they was their best today, and we were able to get it done. …

“All these guys have been with our program, lived through the ups and downs and they continue to fight. It’s like they’re my kids. I’m happy for the adversity to push through no matter the situation. I just couldn’t be more proud. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Definitely no reason to be sorry.

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Arkansas State’s Butch Jones screamed at a referee after a critical call during the Camellia Bowl

Well, Butch Jones wasn’t happy about this offsides call.

Arkansas State coach Butch Jones absolutely lost it on a referee during Saturday’s Camellia Bowl after an offsides call wipes away an onside kick recovery for the Red Wolves.

Down two points to the Northern Illinois Huskies, Arkansas State executed a successful onside kick to get the ball back with 1:10 to go in the game.

However, the officials called offsides on the Red Wolves, negating the recovery and putting Northern Illinois in prime position to run substantial time of the clock if the team could get a first down.

Arkansas State had time outs to prevent a full-on kneeling of the clock, but a single first down would’ve effectively ended the game for the Huskies.

In any case, Jones absolutely screamed at a referee over the call to the point where his face started to turn red. It was not a good look.

We get being peeved over such a crucial moment being wiped away by a penalty, but Jones just lost his cool in a way that’s not going to win the officiating crew over in the final minute of the game.

Northern Illinois would do what was required to get the 21-19 victory, and Jones just probably got a sore throat from yelling as hard as he did in a ferocious temper tantrum that ultimately accomplished nothing.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN.

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Former Husker tight end announces transfer destination

A former Nebraska tight end has announced his transfer destination.

Former Nebraska tight end Jake Appleget announced he will transfer to Northern Illinois for the 2024 season.

The three-star prospect committed to the Cornhuskers’ class of 2022 as a linebacker. He moved to tight end after Matt Rhule took over as head coach. He announced his departure on social media earlier this month.

“Thank you to the coaches, strength staff, and my teammates here at Nebraska for everything over these past two years. After talks with my family and coaches, I have decided that it is in my best interest to enter the transfer portal.”

Appleget appeared in six games in 2023 on special teams. He will have three years of eligibility remaining following his transfer.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes, and opinions.

Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022: Season Prediction, Breakdown, Key Games, Players

Northern Illinois College Football Preview 2022: Team breakdown, season prediction, keys to the campaign, and what you need to know

Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Northern Illinois season with what you need to know and keys to the season.

– Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

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Northern Illinois Huskies Preview
Thomas Hammock 4th year at Northern Illinois, 14-18
2021 Preview: Overall: 9-5, Conference: 6-2
Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Northern Illinois Top 10 Players | NIU Schedule

Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022

Never underestimate the MAC going MAC.

No other conference has a history of going from zero to hero on a regular basis more. It was Northern Illinois’ turn.

The 2018 MAC champion program had two straight dud seasons, bottoming out with an 0-6 run in 2020 with nothing happening on defense.

Head coach Thomas Hammock used that as a true rebuild season.

The 2022 version shocked Georgia Tech to start the season, pushed through a slew of tight battles to get to the MAC Championship, won it, and lost a thriller of a Cure Bowl to Coastal Carolina.

Now it’s up to the Huskies to start making things easier on themselves.

It takes a great team to win the tight ones, but seven of the nine wins were by a touchdown or less. Give NIU credit for closing, but  there’s a fine line between all the big things last year’s team did, and being an also-ran in the MAC.

With nine starters expected back on offense, seven likely back on defense, and a decent kicking game all in place, Northern Illinois isn’t likely to go back.

Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022: Offense

Running game, running game, running game. Of course the team with Thomas Hammock as the head coach would be able to run, and Northern Illinois did just that finished fourth in the nation averaging 241 yards per game behind a great line that was great for the ground game and dominant in pass protection. But …

Leading rusher Jay Ducker is off to Memphis. He accounted for close to 1,200 yards and three scores, and also got is FB Clint Ratkovich pounded for 13 scores.

Harrison Waylee was second on the team with 574 yards and four scores, and Antario Brown hammered away for close to seven yards per carry and five scores on his 538 yards.

They’ll all work behind a loaded offensive line led by all-star guard Logan Zschernitz and tackle Nolan Potter on the right side. The ground game will also get help from …

Rocky Lombardi is back at quarterback. The former Michigan State Spartan is okay throwing it, but he’s a tough baller who ran for over five yards per carry with 472 yards and nine scores. On the way to help is Temple transfer Justin Lynch in a backup role.

The receiving corps is strong with three of the top four targets back. Second Team All-MAC deep threat Trayvon Rudolph is the biggest playmaker, Cole Tucker is a great veteran who grew into the job last year, and coming in is Shemar Thornton from FIU. TE Miles Joiner is a proven midrange target.

Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022: Defense

The defense was awful in the winless 2020, and it wasn’t any better last year. The Huskies finished 115th in the nation in total defense. was miserable against the run, couldn’t come up with takeaways, and allowed 34 points per game.

In a the-food-was-bad-but-the-portions-were-huge sort of way, but to be fair, this was a YOUNG group. 15 of the top 20 tacklers were freshmen and two others were sophomores.

The pass rush was lacking, but there are options. It’s a big front four with 273-pound Devonte O’Malley – he plays inside or out – leading the way with four sacks and sophomore James Ester a second-team All-MAC performer at one tackle.

The linebacking corps gets back All-MAC-caliber Kyle Pugh – for his eighth year with the program after missing all of last year hurt. He’ll work on the outside with third-leading tackler Nick Rattin settling into the middle spot. Also coming in is Izayah Green-May from Wisconsin for the rotation.

The secondary went WAY young, and now it has some potential ballers. Safety CJ Brown led the team with 108 stops, Jordan Hansen came up with 58, and corner Jordan Gandy is a hitter on the outside. Coming up with more than three picks as a group would be nice.

Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Northern Illinois Top 10 Players | NIU Schedule

Northern Illinois Huskies: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats NEXT

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Northern Illinois Huskies Top 10 Players: College Football Preview 2022

Who are the top 10 Northern Illinois players going into the 2022 college football season?

Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 2022: Who are the top 10 players going into the season?

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Northern Illinois Huskies Preview 
Offense, Defense Breakdown | Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen | NIU Schedule 

Coastal Carolina vs Northern Illinois Cure Bowl 5 Thoughts, Instant Reaction, Final Score

5 Thoughts and Instant Reaction to Coastal Carolina’s Cure Bowl win over Northern Illinois.

Coastal Carolina vs Northern Illinois. 5 thoughts and instant reaction after the 47-41 win by the Chanticleers in the Cure Bowl.

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Coastal Carolina 47, Northern Illinois 41: Tailgreeter Cure Bowl

5. Let’s start with the end

For those who didn’t see it, down 47-41 in the final moments, Northern Illinois was deep in Coastal Carolina territory with time winding down. On 4th and 1, QB Rocky Lombardi connected with Miles Joiner for a four-yard play, Joiner hit the ground and the ball fell out of bounds.

It was ruled a catch, the officials weren’t sure, they got the ball to the line as the clock kept rolling, and Northern Illinois didn’t get another snap when it probably should’ve had one last-gasp tick on the final play.

Maybe.

It was all messed up, but even with the sloppy ending it was still a fantastic game.

4. It was a great showcase for both conferences

The star of the MAC this season showed off what life is going to be like under Thomas Hammock going forward.

The Northern Illinois program went from winless last year, to the conference championship, to within a tick of a huge bowl victory. It did it by being physical, tough, and with runners who kept working their way down the field. It was a power win by the MAC’s power team.

Coastal Carolina showed off just how fun the Sun Belt is. This was the offense and the team everyone fell in love with last year, and this win proved the program is going to keep on rolling.

It was the best of what both Group of Five conferences can be.

3. Northern Illinois was terrific … on offense

A 12-point underdog, the MAC Champion was totally disrespected – and it played like it from the start.

Yeah, the Coastal Carolina offense ripped through the Huskie defense without a problem, but the other side of the ball was dominant.

NIU had the ball for close to 40 minutes, it blasted away for a physical 335 yards, and it wore down the Coastal Carolina defense as the game went on. But again, the NIU defense just couldn’t come up with that one big stop late, and the game’s lone turnover – a fumble by Lombardi after a great run – turned out to be the one blink between the two sides.

CFN Predictions | Bowl Schedule
Expert Bowl Picks Dec 17-27 Bowls

2. Coastal Carolina was terrific … on offense

The second half of the season was a grind for the Chanticleers.

Star QB Grayson McCall was banged up, there were a slew of tough battles, and the team that was supposed to roll to a Sun Belt championship struggled to get here.

Forget about controlling the clock – Coastal Carolina came up with huge play after huge play, averaging eight yards per carry and 10.5 yards per throw.

All of the stars came out. McCall threw for 315 yards and four scores, TE Isaiah Likely caught seven passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns, Braydon Bennett ran for 108 yards and two scores and caught four passes for 47 yards and a touchdown …

514 yards later, Coastal Carolina got its 11th win of the season.

1. Now THAT’S what you want an early bowl to be

Over 1,000 yards of total offense, big plays, a relatively clean game – outside of a key Northern Illinois fumble – and both teams doing what they do best. It was a whole lot of fun, there were a whole slew of big moments, and the two teams played like they really, really wanted to win – because they did.

It was Coastal Carolina’s first ever bowl win, it was a game for Northern Illinois to use as motivation all offseason, and it was pure bowl game entertainment to get the bowl season rolling.

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CFN Predictions | Bowl Schedule

Cure Bowl: Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, TV channel, time, how to watch bowl games

The Northern Illinois Huskies will face the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the Cure Bowl on Friday night.

The Northern Illinois Huskies will face the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the Cure Bowl on Friday night from Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

NIU comes into this game with a 9-4 record on the year after knocking off Kent State 41-23 in their final game of the season. They will be bringing their stingy defense and their strong offensive play tonight. Meanwhile, Coastal Carolina comes into this one 10-2 and will look to end the season strong with a win tonight.

Tune in to the Cure Bowl today, here is everything you need to know to watch and stream the action.

Northern Illinois vs. Coastal Carolina

  • When: Friday, December 17
  • Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: ESPN2
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

How to watch College Football Bowl Season

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NCAA Football Odds and Betting Lines

NCAA odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds last updated Friday at 2:00 p.m. ET.

NIU vs. Coastal Carolina (-11.5)

O/U: 62.5

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Coastal Carolina vs Northern Illinois: Tailgreeter Cure Bowl Prediction, Game Preview

Coastal Carolina vs Northern Illinois: Tailgreeter Cure Bowl prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might or might not win

Coastal Carolina vs Northern Illinois: Tailgreeter Cure Bowl prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, December 18 

Coastal Carolina vs Northern Illinois: Tailgreeter Cure Bowl How To Watch

Date: Saturday, December
Game Time: 6:00 ET
Venue: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL
How To Watch: ESPN2, Live stream on ESPN+
Record: Coastal Carolina (10-2), Northern Illinois (9-4)

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Coastal Carolina vs Northern Illinois Tailgreeter Cure Bowl Preview

– Be stunned if this isn’t among the best of the early bowls. Both Group of Five programs are coming off terrific campaigns, and both will be well motivated to close with a season-validating win.

– This is all about the time of possession battle. Northern Illinois had the ball for over 33 minutes per game with the ground attack. Coastal Carolina had it for over 32 minutes with its quick hitting passing game.

– Northern Illinois went from 0-6 in 2020 to the champion of the MAC in one year under head coach Thomas Hammock, getting the job done with a ball-control offense behind a tremendous offensive line and fantastic running game that finished fifth in the nation. Now this year’s breakthrough team has to hold down last year’s version.

– Coastal Carolina played exactly like it was supposed to over the first half of the season, ripping through everyone with one of the nation’s most efficient attacks. It spreads out defenses, dominates on third downs – it led all of college football in passing efficiency and third down conversions – but two close losses by a total of five points ruined a repeat of the 2020 magic.

Why Coastal Carolina, Northern Illinois Will Win
Prediction, What’s Going To Happen, History
Tailgreeter Cure Bowl Top Players To Know

NEXT: Why Coastal Carolina Will Win, Why Northern Illinois Will Win, Tailgreeter Cure Bowl Prediction

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