Hampton started 10 games for the Huskies in 2024, including a landmark upset over Notre Dame.
Senior day was celebrated Saturday afternoon in DeKalb, IL, honoring 30 different seniors in pregame festivities who were suiting up in Northern Illinois colors for the final time.
Although quarterback Ethan Hampton is only classified as a junior, this past weekend’s 24-16 victory over Central Michigan also signified the end of his days at Huskie Stadium. Hampton announced his entry to the transfer portal less than 24 hours after starting and leading Northern Illinois to its seventh win of 2024, finishing with 169 passing yards and a rushing touchdown in his final stand.
Hampton started 14 games at Northern Illinois from 2021-24, including 10 as the primary starter for the 2024 season. The fourth-year quarterback earned one start as a true freshman during NIU’s 2021 MAC championship season, as well as three starts as a redshirt freshman in 2022 — filling in for mentor Rocky Lombardi each time. Hampton leaves campus with 2,568 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on a 58.2 completion percentage, rushing for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
What NIU faithful and college football fans will remember Hampton best for is spearheading a landmark upset over Notre Dame on Sept. 7. Hampton started at quarterback for the Huskies’ first AP Top 10 win in program history, stunning the No. 5 Fighting Irish 16-14 in South Bend.
That afternoon, Hampton fired for 198 passing yards — his most against any FBS opponent in 2024 — on a 10-of-19 showing, delivering an 83-yard touchdown to running back Antario Brown to set the tone in the first quarter. In the aftermath of the victory, Northern Illinois claimed the No. 25 spot in the AP Poll for its first ranking in 11 years. Prior to start of the College Football Playoff, Hampton is the only starting quarterback to defeat Notre Dame in 2024.
Hampton enters the transfer portal with two years of eligibility. His stomping grounds for the 2025 season have yet to be determined. While there is plenty of transfer portal activity awaiting, current redshirt freshman Josh Holst is expected to be the NIU starter going forward.
Until Sunday, Dec. 8, the 7-5 Huskies await their bowl destination and opponent. They look to claim a postseason victory and hardware under head coach Thomas Hammock for the second-straight season after winning the 2023 Camellia Bowl.