Northern Illinois Huskies News

La'Don Bryant - Role growing in offense Bryant recorded six receptions (on 11 targets) for 70 yards during Saturday's 35-14 loss to Georgia State.

Impact Bryant stepped up as the Huskies clear number-two receiver behind DeAree Rogers on Saturday. After totaling just eight receptions on 13 targets for 115 yards in his first three games this year, Bryant finished Saturday's contest with the second-most targets on the team. The redshirt sophomore could have value in a NIU offense that's become more pass-heavy with Taron Dickens under center.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Telly Johnson Jr. - Solid outing in loss Johnson notched 15 rushes for 85 yards and a touchdown and reeled in all three targets for 26 yards during Saturday's 35-14 loss to Georgia State.

Impact While NIU was forced into a pass-heavy game script Saturday, Johnson would finish the day with a season-high 85 rushing yards, while punching in a 14-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Through four games, Johnson's totaled 253 yards with a pair of scores on 57 carries.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

DeAree Rogers - Another big day Rogers posted nine receptions (on 13 targets) for 107 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 35-14 loss versus Georgia State.

Impact Rogers remains the unquestioned number-one receiver for NIU -- the senior has at least nine receptions and 11 targets in three of his first four games this season. Overall, Rogers has totaled 31 receptions for 252 yards and a pair of touchdowns this year.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

Taron Dickens - Another encouraging start Dickens was 28-for-42 passing for 320 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 35-14 loss to Georgia State.

Impact While NIU would fall to 0-4 on the season, there have been positive signs from Dickens, who's completed 67.1 percent of his throws for 548 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in two games since taking over as the starter. Dickens and the Huskies will head into a bye before taking on Air Force at home in Week 6.

1 DAY AGO • ROTOWIRE

How to watch Arizona vs Washington State: Live stream College Football, NCAA, TV channel The Arizona Wildcats will take on the Washington State Cougars on Saturday at Martin Stadium in a Week 4 college football matchup. Sep 19, 2...

1 DAY AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Dorsey, McCrary power Georgia State over Northern Illinois 35-14

Rodshaun Dorsey caught five passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns, Lanear McCrary Jr. rushed for 111 yards, and Georgia State defeated Northern Illinois 35-14 on Saturday

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

How to watch Northern Illinois vs Georgia State: Live stream, NCAA College Football, TV channel The Northern Illinois Huskies continue their difficult start to the season on Saturday when they travel to Atlanta to take on the Georgia St...

2 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Glen Weber - Misses blowout loss Weber (undisclosed) did not play in Saturday's 42-17 loss to Arizona.

Impact Weber didn't have an injury designation ahead of the game and hasn't missed one this season, so his inactive status came as a bit of a surprise. The starting tight end will now make an effort to return this Saturday at Georgia State.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

DeAree Rogers - Targeted often again Rogers recorded 10 receptions (on 11 targets) for 68 yards during Saturday's 42-17 loss against Arizona.

Impact Rogers was targeted heavily again Saturday, as the Huskies' passing attack looked much better with quarterback Taron Dickens at the helm. After logging just one reception in Week 1, Rogers' has totaled 21 receptions on 24 targets for 142 yards and a touchdown in his last two games.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Cam Thompson - Three grabs, touchdown in loss Thompson logged three receptions (on six targets) for 62 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 42-17 loss versus Arizona.

Impact After totaling just one reception (for zero yards) in his first two games this year, Thompson appears to have developed some chemistry with quarterback Taron Dickens. The senior wideout finished the day with the second-most receiving yards on the team, thanks in large part to a 52-yard touchdown grab that gave NIU a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. After spending his first two seasons with the Huskies, Thompson transferred to Mississippi State last year where he failed to record any stats, prompting a return to NIU.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Taron Dickens - Solid in first start Dickens was 25-for-37 passing for 228 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 42-17 loss versus Arizona. He also had seven rushes for nine yards.

Impact Dickens was sharp in his first start this season, as he completed 67.6 percent of his passes while avoiding turnovers against a power-five Arizona defense. Through three games overall, Dickens has completed 71.8 percent of his passes for 517 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He'll lead the offense again next week in a road matchup at Georgia State.

SEPTEMBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

How to live stream Northern Illinois vs Arizona: College Football, TV channel The Northern Illinois Huskies head to Tucson on Saturday to face the Arizona Wildcats at Casino Del Sol Stadium, with kickoff set for 10:30...

SEPTEMBER 20 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

How to watch Arizona vs. Northern Illinois: TV channel, streaming, game time and more Brent Brennan and the Arizona Wildcats return home this Saturday with a chance to get back in the win column, hosting the Northern Illinois...

SEPTEMBER 18 • SI.COM

Arizona vs. Northern Illinois has 4 storylines worth watching Saturday night Brent Brennan and the Arizona Wildcats look for win No. 2 on Saturday night, hosting the Northern Illinois Huskies at Casino Del Sol Stadium...

SEPTEMBER 18 • SI.COM

Jalen Macon - Benched in defeat Macon completed 1 of 3 passes for three yards and an interception during Saturday's 28-24 loss to Illinois State.

Impact It was another rough outing for Macon, who threw an interception on NIU's opening possession before he was benched in favor of Taron Dickens. Through two games, Macon's completed just five of his 13 pass attempts for 20 yards. Expect DIckens to get the call under center next week when the Huskies visit Arizona.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

DeAree Rogers - Heavy volume in loss Rogers hauled in 11 of 13 targets for 74 yards and a touchdown during Saturday's 28-24 defeat to Illinois State.

Impact After logging just one reception for five yards in a Week 1 loss to Iowa, Rogers firmly established himself as NIU's number-one receiver in Week 2 -- no other player logged more than two receptions in the contest. After totaling 506 yards and three touchdowns on 46 receptions last season, Rogers looks poised to put up even bigger numbers in 2026.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Telly Johnson Jr. - Productive in loss Johnson recorded 22 rushes for 83 yards and a touchdown and reeled in 2 of 3 targets for 10 yards during Saturday's 28-24 loss to Illinois State.

Impact It was an encouraging showing from Johnson, after he logged just eight rushing attempts for 16 yards in Week 1 against Iowa. The junior punched in his first touchdown of the season while seeing a career-high 22 carries. Johnson should remain the focal point of Northern Illinois' offense this year after he totaled 712 rushing yards and four touchdowns in 2025.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Taron Dickens - Expanded role Saturday Dickens completed 22 of 27 passes for 193 yards, a touchdown and an interception during Saturday's 28-24 loss to Illinois State.

Impact After Jalen Macon struggled mightily to start the game, Dickens wound up taking over under center in the first quarter. Dickens was solid overall, completing 81.5 percent of his passes, but a late interception proved costly as NIU fell to 0-2 with the loss. Through two games, Dickens has completed 31-of-41 pass attempts for 289 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. He figures to get another extended look next week in a road matchup with Arizona.

SEPTEMBER 14 • ROTOWIRE

Texas takes No. 1 in the AP Top 25, Oregon falls and Michigan returns

Texas claimed the No. 1 spot in the AP Top 25 after a historic comeback against Ohio State

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Texas rises to No. 1 in AP poll, Ohio State and Oregon tumble and Michigan returns to the Top 25

After knocking off top-ranked Ohio State, Texas is the new No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

Roy throws late TD pass, lifts FCS-member Illinois State past Northern Illinois 28-24

Gage Roy throws a 16-yard touchdown pass to Alex Herrera, leading Illinois State to a 28-24 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday night

SEPTEMBER 13 • Associated Press

How to watch Illinois State vs Northern Illinois: Live stream NCAA College Football, TV channel The No. 4 Illinois State Redbirds visit the Northern Illinois Huskies on Saturday, September 12, at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, with kickoff s...

SEPTEMBER 12 • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Taron Dickens - Takes over late vs. Iowa Dickens completed 9 of 14 passes for 96 yards and an interception during Saturday's 40-0 defeat against Iowa.

Impact It was announced just before game time that Dickens would back up Jalen Macon. However, Dickens would ultimately enter the game in the third quarter, after Macon completed just four passes for 17 yards. While things didn't go much better for the redshirt junior, NIU could give Dickens a longer look next week in a more favorable matchup with Illinois State. Dickens joined the Huskies in the offseason as a transfer from Western Carolina, where he completed 74.2 percent of his passes for 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns and just two interceptions in nine games last year.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Jalen Macon - Benched in second half Macon was 4-for-10 passing for 17 yards during Saturday's 40-0 loss to Iowa. He also had eight rushes for negative four yards.

Impact Macon was announced as Northern Illinois' starter before game time, but the senior struggled mightily against a high-powered Iowa defense. He was ultimately benched in favor of Taron Dickens in the second half, though it didn't go much better for Dickens, who completed just 9 of his 14 passes for 96 yards and an interception. Macon appeared in five games for the Huskies last season, where he was 9-for-21 passing for 105 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 216 yards and five scores. It remains to be seen whether NIU will give Macon another look next week in their home opener against Illinois State.

SEPTEMBER 6 • ROTOWIRE

Northern Illinois Huskies vs No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes Highlights 🏈 FOX College Football

SEPTEMBER 5 • FOX SPORTS

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Dorsey, McCrary power Georgia State over Northern Illinois 35-14

Texas takes No. 1 in the AP Top 25, Oregon falls and Michigan returns

Texas rises to No. 1 in AP poll, Ohio State and Oregon tumble and Michigan returns to the Top 25

Roy throws late TD pass, lifts FCS-member Illinois State past Northern Illinois 28-24

Northern Illinois Huskies vs No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes Highlights 🏈 FOX College Football