NIU ensures history doesn’t repeat in an evisceration of fellow directional Illinois school.
Last season’s home opener at historic Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois saw one of the worst defeats in program history, as the Southern Illinois Salukis stole a 14-11 victory in what could charitably described as a rock fight.
What made the loss worse was the week before, NIU had collected another graveyard victory, gnawing on the bones of Boston College to much regional and national aplomb.
The Huskies made sure 2024 would not see a repeat of the same mistakes early, with Antario Brown picking up 23 yards on the first offensive play of the game to set up an 23-yard passing touchdown from newly-crowned starter Ethan Hampton to Dane Partridge to take a 6-0 lead and never look back.
The Leathernecks did manage to reply back in kind after the touchdown drive, as Antonio Chadha’s first kick of the day was good from 44 yards out to halve the score at 6-3 early in the first quarter, but it was all NIU from there on, as the Huskies went on a 41-0 unanswered streak before WIU’s next score— a blocked kick returned by Frederik Greenhoward for a two-point defensive point-after to push the tally to 47-8— to eventually take home a 54-15 win over Western Illinois (0-1), effectively erasing last season’s demons.
Hampton was the top dog on the day for NIU, finishing his first start of the season on an 18-of-20 clip passing for 328 yards and five touchdowns before ceding the ball to Jalen Macon (4-of-7 for 50 yards passing; 57 rushing yards and one touchdown on five carries.)
Stedfast receiver Trayvon Rudolph was the leading skill player, with four receptions for 104 yards and a score through the air and a touchdown on a 60-yard jet sweep. Running back Antario Brown collected 69 yards on eight carries, while Jaylen Poe (seven rushes, 42 yards) and Macon each had a rushing score. Grayson Barnes finished second on the receiving list with 95 yards and a touchdown on five receptions, while Keyshawn Pipkin, Cam Thompson and Dane Partridge all hauled in a score each on their only receptions.
Roy Williams led the way for the Huskies defensively, with six total tackles and the team’s sole sack, along with a tackle-for-loss. NIU as a unit had six tackles-for-loss, with Mark Hensley assisting on two to lead the team. Jacob Finley led NIU defenders with two pass break-ups, with Nick Valcarcel and Ethan Tierney each collecting a solo PBU.
NIU’s team defense held WIU to just 298 yards on the day, and 3-of-12 on third-down attempts, with an average play of 5.4 yards per attempt.
Tom Foley punted once for 32 yards, while Kanon Woodill did not attempt a field goal and finished 7-of-8 on extra points.
Nathan Lamb finished 17-of-29 passing for 204 yards and one touchdown for WIU on a 270yard toss to Torrence Farmer Jr. with 2:59 remaining, while running back Cameren Smith (14 carries, 51 yards) and receiver Tristian Duncan (five receptions, 68 yards) were leaders in rushing and receiving, respectively. Willie Jones led the Leathernecks with 13 total tackles.
NIU will go on the road for their next contest, facing the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. The game will be broadcast on NBC and streamed on Peacock.
WIU is set to travel to Bloomington, Indiana to take on the Indiana Hoosiers for a Friday night contest on Sept. 6. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.