2021 Northern Illinois Huskies football team

Last updated

2021 Northern Illinois Huskies football
Northern Illinois Huskies football wordmark.svg
MAC champion
MAC West Division co-champion
Cure Bowl, L 41–47 vs. Coastal Carolina
Conference Mid-American Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record9–5 (6–2 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Eric Eidsness (3rd season)
Offensive scheme Multiple
Defensive coordinatorDerrick Jackson (3rd season)
Base defense 4–2–5
Home stadium Huskie Stadium
Seasons
←  2020
2022  →
2021 Mid-American Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
Kent State xy  6 –2   7 –7  
Miami (OH)  5 –3   7 –6  
Ohio  3 –5   3 –9  
Bowling Green  2 –6   4 –8  
Buffalo  2 –6   4 –8  
Akron  1 –7   2 –10  
West Division
Northern Illinois xy$  6 –2   9 –5  
Central Michigan x  6 –2   9 –4  
Toledo  5 –3   7 –6  
Ball State  4 –4   6 –7  
Eastern Michigan  4 –4   7 –6  
Western Michigan  4 –4   8 –5  
Championship: Northern Illinois 41, Kent State 23
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant

The 2021 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by third-year head coach Thomas Hammock, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 9–5 with a mark of 6–2 in conference playing, sharing the MAC's West Division title with Central Michigan. By virtue of a head-to-head win over Central Michigan, Northern Illinois advanced to the MAC Championship Game and defeated Kent State to win the program's six MAC championship. [1] The Huskies invited to the Cure Bowl, where they lost to Coastal Carolina on December 17. [2] [3] The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

Contents

On November 9, the school announced that Hammock had signed a contract extension through the 2026 season. [4] With their win over Buffalo on November 17, the Huskies clinched the West Division championship and a berth in the MAC Championship Game. [5]

Offseason

Transfers

As a result of the limited season in 2020 due to COVID-19, the NCAA granted a waiver to allow athletes to transfer to another school and be eligible immediately without having to sit out a season. [6] In April 2021, the NCAA further made one-time transfers for all college athletes to be eligible immediately. [7] As a result, transfers were much more common this year than in prior years.

Michigan State quarterback Rocky Lombardi, who started six games for the Spartans in 2020, announced he would transfer to Northern Illinois. [8] [9]

Preseason

In the league's annual preseason poll, the Huskies were picked to finish in last place in the West. [10]

Schedule

The Huskies played Maine and Wyoming at home while traveling to Georgia Tech and Michigan for non-conference games in 2021. [11] [12]

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 46:30 p.m.at Georgia Tech *
 ACCN W 22–2133,651
September 1112:30 p.m. Wyoming *
 ESPN+ L 43–5011,334
September 1811:00 a.m.at No. 25 Michigan *
 BTN L 10–63106,263
September 251:30 p.m. Maine *
  • Huskie Stadium
  • DeKalb, IL
 ESPN3 W 41–1410,076
October 21:30 p.m. Eastern Michigan Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Huskie Stadium
  • DeKalb, IL
ESPN+W 27–2010,034
October 911:00 a.m.at Toledo
CBSSN W 22–2021,284
October 162:30 p.m. Bowling Green
  • Huskie Stadium
  • DeKalb, IL
ESPN+W 34–267,854
October 2311:00 a.m.at Central Michigan
ESPNU W 39–3815,232
November 36:00 p.m.at Kent State
ESPN2 L 47–526,076
November 106:00 p.m. Ball State
ESPN2W 30–297,894
November 176:00 p.m.at Buffalo
ESPN2W 33–27 OT13,097
November 236:00 p.m. Western Michigan
  • Huskie Stadium
  • DeKalb, IL
ESPNUL 21–427,156
December 411:00 a.m.vs. Kent State
ESPN W 41–2310,317
December 175:00 p.m.vs. Coastal Carolina *
ESPN2L 41–479,784

[13] [14]

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
AP ——————————————RV
Coaches ———————————————
CFP Not released——————Not released

Game summaries

At Georgia Tech

Northern Illinois Huskies (0–0) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0–0)
Quarter1234Total
Northern Illinois770822
Georgia Tech0701421

at Bobby Dodd Stadium • Atlanta, GA

  • Date: Saturday, September 4, 2021
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: sunny • Temperature: 78°F
  • Game attendance: 33,651
  • Referee: Marcus Woods
  • TV announcers (ACCN): Dave O'Brien, Tim Hasselbeck, Kelsey Riggs
  • Pregame line: Georgia Tech -19
Game information
First Quarter
  • (1:56) NIU – Harrison Waylee 35 yard rush, John Richardson kick (Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards, 3:42; NIU 7–0)
Second Quarter
  • (10:17) NIU – Miles Joiner 5 yard pass from Rocky Lombardi, John Richardson kick (Drive: 12 plays, 66 yards, 5:22; NIU 14–0)
  • (0:47) GT – Kyric McGowan 22 yard pass from Jordan Yates, Brent Cimaglia kick (Drive: 17 plays, 97 yards, 6:00; NIU 14–7)
Fourth Quarter
  • (7:44) GT – Dontae Smith 15 yard rush, Brent Cimaglia kick (Drive: 5 plays, 77 yards, 2:23; 14–14)
  • (6:32) GT – Jordan Yates 4 yard rush, Brent Cimaglia kick (Drive: 3 plays, 25 yards, 0:54; GT 21–14)
  • (0:38) NIU – Clint Ratkovich 3 yards pass from Rocky Lombardi, Tyrice Richie pass from Rocky Lombardi (Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:04; NIU 22–21)
StatisticsNIUGT
First downs1525
Total yards301429
Rushes/yards42/16552/273
Passing yards136156
Passing: Comp–Att–Int11–17–015–26–0
Time of possession28:5531:05
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IllinoisPassing Rocky Lombardi 11–17, 136 yards, 2 TD
RushingHarrison Waylee27 carries, 144 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTyrice Richie2 receptions, 64 yards
Georgia TechPassingJordan Yates12–18, 135 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Jahmyr Gibbs 20 carries, 99 yards
ReceivingMalachi Carter6 receptions, 92 yards

At Central Michigan

Northern Illinois at Central Michigan
1234Total
•Northern Illinois711111039
Central Michigan14147338
  • Date: October 23, 2021
  • Location: Kelly/Shorts Stadium
    Mount Pleasant, MI
  • Game start: 12:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 15,232
  • Television network: ESPNU
Pregame lineOver/under
CMU –6.056.0
StatisticsNorthern IllinoisCentral Michigan
First downs2525
Total yards548500
Rushing yards197189
Passing yards351311
Turnovers01
Time of possession36:0923:51
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IllinoisPassingRocky Lombardi17/27, 348 yards, 3 TDs
RushingJay Ducker31 carries, 183 yards
ReceivingTrayvon Rudolph6 receptions, 160 yards, 2 TDs
Central MichiganPassing Daniel Richardson 23/36, 289 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing Lew Nichols III 22 carries, 192 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Kalil Pimpleton 6 receptions, 130 yards, 1 TD

At Kent State

Northern Illinois at Kent State
1234Total
Northern Illinois71462047
•Kent State03114752
  • Date: November 3, 2021
  • Location: Dix Stadium
    Kent, OH
  • Game start: 7:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 6,076
  • Television network: ESPN2
Pregame lineOver/under
KENT –3.572.0
StatisticsNorthern IllinoisKent State
First downs3231
Total yards663682
Rushing yards131360
Passing yards532322
Turnovers10
Time of possession35:0424:56
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Northern IllinoisPassingRocky Lombardi33/57, 532 yards, 3 TDs
RushingJay Ducker19 carries, 101 yards, 2 TDs
ReceivingTrayvon Rudolph14 receptions, 309 yards, 3 TDs
Kent StatePassing Dustin Crum 20/30, 322 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing Marquez Cooper 23 carries, 173 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Dante Cephas 5 receptions, 124 yards

Ball State (Bronze Stalk Trophy)

Bronze Stalk Trophy
1234Total
Ball State1079329
•Northern Illinois01731030
Pregame lineOver/under
BALL –3.059.0
StatisticsBall StateNorthern Illinois
First downs1726
Total yards372475
Rushing yards246211
Passing yards126264
Turnovers02
Time of possession23:1636:44
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Ball StatePassing Drew Plitt 11/26, 126 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Carson Steele 21 carries, 109 yards
ReceivingJalen McGaughy1 reception, 45 yards
Northern IllinoisPassingRocky Lombardi23/38, 264 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
RushingJay Ducker24 carries, 155 yards, 1 TD
ReceivingTrayvon Rudolph8 receptions, 108 yards

Vs. Kent State (MAC Championship game)

MAC Championship Game
1234Total
Kent State00101323
•Northern Illinois10771741
Pregame lineOver/under
KENT –3.575.5
StatisticsKent StateNorthern Illinois
First downs2428
Total yards391368
Rushing yards195266
Passing yards196102
Turnovers21
Time of possession19:5940:01
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Kent StatePassingDustin Crum11/21, 128 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs
RushingXavier Williams8 carries, 93 yards
ReceivingDante Cephas7 receptions, 102 yards
Northern IllinoisPassingRocky Lombardi7/15, 102 yards, 1 INT
RushingJay Ducker29 carries, 146 yards
ReceivingTrayvon Rudolph3 receptions, 50 yards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Illinois Huskies football</span> College football program

The Northern Illinois Huskies football team are a college football program representing Northern Illinois University (NIU) in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of college football. NIU football plays its home games at Huskie Stadium on the campus of the Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2010 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Huskies compiled an overall record of 11–3 with a mark of 8–0 in conference play, winning the MAC's West Division title. The team advanced to the MAC Championship, where they lost the Miami RedHawks. Northern Illinois was invited to the Humanitarian Bowl, where they defeated Fresno State. The Huskies were led by third-year head coach Jerry Kill during the regular season and for the MAC title game before KIll resigned to become the head football coach at the University of Minnesota. Tom Matukewicz was appointed interim head coach for the bowl game. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2011 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Dave Doeren, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 11–3 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, sharing the MAC West Division title with Toledo. By virtue of their head-to-head win over Toledo, Northern Illinois advance to the MAC Championship Game, where the defeated Ohio to win the program's second MAC title. The Huskies were invited to the GoDaddy.com Bowl, where they beat Arkansas State. This was the fourth consecutive season in which Northern Illinois made a trip to a bowl game. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Hammock</span> American football player and coach (born 1981)

Thomas Hammock is the head football coach at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Prior to returning to his alma mater in January 2019, he served as the running backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons from 2014 to 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2004 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2004 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by ninth-year head coach Joe Novak, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 9–3 with a mark of 7–1 in conference play, sharing the MAC's West Division title with Toledo. By virtue of their head-to-head win Northern Illinois, Toledo Rockets advanced to the MAC Championship Game. Northern Illinois was invited to the Silicon Valley Football Classic, where they beat Troy. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 MAC Championship Game</span> College football game

The 2012 Marathon MAC Championship Game was an American football game held on November 30, 2012 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan between the West Division champion Northern Illinois Huskies and the East Division champion Kent State Golden Flashes to determine the Mid-American Conference (MAC) champion. This is the first time since 2003 that both teams entered the game ranked in the BCS standings, AP Poll, and Coaches' Poll.

The 2014 MAC Championship Game was played on Friday, December 5, 2014, and featured the East Division Champion Bowling Green Falcons and the West Division Champion Northern Illinois Huskies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2015 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2015 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by third-year head coach Rod Carey, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 8–6 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, finishing in a four-way tie for the MAC West Division title with Central Michigan, Toledo, and Western Michigan. Northern Illinois advance to the MAC Championship Game, where they lost to Bowling Green. The Huskies were invited to the Boca Raton Bowl, to the Poinsettia Bowl, where they were defeated by Boise State. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Illinois Huskies football statistical leaders</span>

The Northern Illinois Huskies football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Northern Illinois Huskies football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Huskies represent Northern Illinois University in the NCAA's Mid-American Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2017 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2017 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2017 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fifth-year head coach Rod Carey, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 8–5 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the MAC's West Division. Northern Illinois received an invitation to the Quick Lane Bowl, their 11th bowl game in the 14 seasons. There they lost to Duke, 36–14. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2018 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by Rod Carey in his sixth and final season as head coach, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 8–6 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, winning the MAC's West Division title. Northern Illinois advanced to the MAC Championship Game, where they defeated East Division champion Buffalo to win the program's fifth MAC championship. The Huskies were invited to the Boca Raton Bowl, where they lost to UAB. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2019 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Thomas Hammock the Huskies compiled an overall record of 5–7 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, tying for third place in the MAC"s West Division. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2020 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Thomas Hammock in a season shorted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 0–6 with an identical mark in MAC play, placing last out of six teams in the West Division. It was the first winless season for the Huskies since 1997. Northern Illinois played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 MAC Championship Game</span> College football game

The 2021 MAC Championship Game was a college football game played on December 4, 2021, at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. It was the 25th edition of the MAC Football Championship Game and determined the champion of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) for the 2021 season. The game began at 12:00 p.m. EST and aired on ESPN. The game featured the Northern Illinois Huskies, the Western Division champions, and the Kent State Golden Flashes, the Eastern Division champions. Sponsored by mortgage lending company Quicken Loans through their Rocket Mortgage brand, the game was officially known as the Rocket Mortgage MAC Championship Game.

The 2021 Cure Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 17, 2021, at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida. The seventh edition of the Cure Bowl, the game featured the Northern Illinois Huskies of the Mid-American Conference and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers of the Sun Belt Conference. The game began at 6:00 p.m. EST and aired on ESPN2. It was one of the 2021–22 bowl games concluding the 2021 FBS football season. Sponsored by digital marketplace Tailgreeter, the game was officially known as the Tailgreeter Cure Bowl.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Mid-American Conference football season</span> Sports season

The 2022 Mid-American Conference football season was the 77th season for the Mid-American Conference (MAC), as part of the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season began on September 1 and concluded with its conference championship game on Saturday, December 3 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. Ohio won the East Division with a conference record of 7–1 and Toledo won the West Division with a 5–3 conference record. Toledo won the championship over Ohio by a final score of 17–7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2022 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Huskies were led by fourth-year head coach Thomas Hammock and played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2023 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Huskies are led by fifth-year head coach Thomas Hammock and played their home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois. They finished the regular season 6–6 and 5–3 in conference play They played Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl, who they beat 21–19.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocky Lombardi</span> American football player (born 1998)

Rocky Lombardi is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans and the Northern Illinois Huskies and was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2024 by the Cincinnati Bengals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Northern Illinois Huskies football team</span> American college football season

The 2024 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represents Northern Illinois University in the Mid-American Conference during the 2024 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Huskies are led by Thomas Hammock in his sixth year as the head coach. The Huskies play home games at Huskie Stadium, located in DeKalb, Illinois.

References

  1. ↑ "Northern Illinois easily beats Kent State to win fifth MAC championship". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  2. ↑ Helwick, Steve (December 5, 2021). "Northern Illinois will play Coastal Carolina in the 2021 Cure Bowl". Hustle Belt. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  3. ↑ "MAC Champion NIU Huskies to play in Tailgreeter Cure Bowl". MyStateline.com. December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Northern Illinois extends Hammock thru 2026". ESPN.com. November 9, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  5. ↑ "NIU Huskies Beat Buffalo, Clinch Mac West Division". November 17, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  6. ↑ Coleman, Madeline. "NCAA to Grant D-I Transfer Athletes Immediate Eligibility This Year". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  7. ↑ Dellenger, Ross. "The NCAA's Transfer Revolution Is Here". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Michigan State transfer QB Rocky Lombardi leads Northern Illinois to upset win over Georgia Tech". 247Sports. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  9. ↑ "QB Lombardi transfers to N. Illinois from MSU". ESPN.com. December 27, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  10. ↑ "MAC Announces 2021 Preseason Media Football Poll". getsomemaction.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
  11. ↑ Kelley, Kevin (March 9, 2018). "NIU to play at Kentucky in 2022, adds games vs. Maine and EIU". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  12. ↑ "NIU's 2021 Football Schedule Features Six Home Games". NIU Athletics. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  13. ↑ "2021 Northern Illinois Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  14. ↑ "2021 Northern Illinois Huskies Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.