Taron Dickens News, Rumors, Updates - Northern Illinois Huskies

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

19 MINS AGO • Associated Press

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.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

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

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

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

Not starting opener Dickens is not starting Saturday's season opener versus Iowa, Sidelines NIU reports.

Impact Dickens only committed to the school in mid-July, so it's not surprising that he couldn't secure the starting job on such a quick turnaround. Jalen Macon will instead draw the start, though Macon's grasp on the job is seemingly shaky, given that the staff felt t the need to target another quarterback in Dickens in the portal during the summer.

SEPTEMBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Listed as co-starter Dickens is listed as a co-starter on Northern Illinois' Week 1 depth chart alongside Jalen Macon and Brady Davidson, per Eddie Carifio of the DeKalb Daily Chronicle.

Impact Dickens, who was initially slated to suit up for North Carolina this fall, transferred to NIU late in the offseason. The former FCS standout at Western Carolina tossed for 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns and just two interceptions last season while adding 321 yards and a score on the ground. All that experience and production has yet to earn him the starting role in Rockford, however. At this point, it's unclear who will trot out with the starters in Week 1.

SEPTEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with NIU Dickens has signed with Northern Illinois, Chris Hummer of 247Sports reports.

Impact Dickens brings a statistically more proven quarterback compared to Northern Illinois' other QBs, the experienced but not vastly experienced Jalen Macon and Brady Davidson. Dickens broke out with West Carolina last season, having completed 74.2 percent of 365 pass attempts for 3,508 passing yards and a 38-2 TD-INT ratio. With the Huskies understandably not standing pat with their quarterback position this summer, it would be unsurprising if Dickens makes a significant leap immediately to be their QB1 entering fall camp.

JULY 17 • ROTOWIRE

North Carolina Transfer Quarterback Taron Dickens to Return to Transfer Portal Former Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens, who signed with UNC out of the Transfer Portal...

MAY 29 • TARHEELTIMES.COM

De-commits from Tar Heels Dickens has de-committed from North Carolina, per On3.

Impact Dickens was expected to be the Tar Heels' backup quarterback in 2026 behind Billy Edwards Jr. after he transferred from FCS Western Carolina, where he had a tremendous 2025 season, tossing for 3,508 yards, 38 touchdowns and two interceptions. Now, he'll look for as new FBS program ahead of the 2026 campaign, and he should have a few suitors.

MAY 29 • ROTOWIRE

$50 Million Head Coach Entering 'Pivotal Season' Amid Hot Seats Rumors Taron Dickens broke out at Western Carolina University in 2025, throwing for 3,508 yards with 38 touchdowns and just two interceptions acros...

FEBRUARY 17 • SI.COM

UNC Football Signs Former Western Carolina QB Taron Dickens Western Carolina transfer QB Taron Dickens has signed with UNC. Last season, Dickens had 3,508...

FEBRUARY 15 • TARHEELTIMES.COM

Heading to Chapel Hill Dickens has committed to play for North Carolina for the 2026 season, per On3.com.

Impact Dickens will join the Tar Heels following three seasons with Western Carolina. The 5-foot-11 quarterback threw for 3,508 yards and 38 touchdowns to just two interceptions for the Catamounts in 2025 while accounting for 321 yards and a score on the ground as well. He will retain two years of eligibility with UNC moving forward.

FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Dickens' breaks Southern Conference single-season passing TD record in Western Carolina's 48-6 win

Taron Dickens threw three touchdown passes in breaking the Southern Conference single-season passing TD record and leading Western Carolina to a 48-6 win over VMI in a regular-seas...

NOVEMBER 22, 2025 • Associated Press

Byrd throws his first 3 TD passes in ETSU's 52-35 win over Western Carolina

Jackson Byrd threw the first three touchdowns of his collegiate career and East Tennessee defeated Western Carolina 52-35 on Saturday

NOVEMBER 15, 2025 • Associated Press

Atkinson leads Mercer in 49-47 win over Western Carolina, which gets 7 TD passes from Dickens

Braden Atkinson threw three touchdown passes, CJ Miller ran for three scores, and Mercer defeated Western Carolina 49-47 in a shootout to win the Southern Conference title

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Taron Dickens throws 5 touchdown passes to lead Western Carolina past The Citadel 45-38

Taron Dickens threw for 369 yards with five touchdowns and Western Carolina defeated The Citadel 45-38

OCTOBER 18, 2025 • Associated Press

Dickens throws 4 passing TDs in Western Carolina's 52-7 rout over Furman

Taron Dickens threw four touchdown passes, and the Western Carolina defense forced four turnovers in a 52-7 win over Furman in a Southern Conference rout on Saturday afternoon

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • Associated Press

College Football Insiders: Is Taron Dickens the best college QB you've never heard of? CBS Sports' College Football Insiders weigh in on Taron Dickens shattering an NCAA record in Week 6.

OCTOBER 7, 2025 • 247SPORTS.COM

Dickens completes 46 consecutive passes to break record in Western Carolina's 23-21 win over Wofford

Taron Dickens completed 46 consecutive passes to break the FCS record for consecutive completions in a game, and threw three touchdown passes to lead Western Carolina to a 23-21 wi...

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Taron Dickens leads air attack with 427 yards, 4 TDs and Western Carolina tops Campbell 42-35

Taron Dickens threw for 427 yards with four touchdown passes and Western Carolina defeated Campbell 42-35

SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 • Associated Press

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