Overview
The Northern Illinois Huskies play Mid-American Conference football at Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb. One of the MAC's most successful modern programs, Northern Illinois built a run of championship seasons in the 2010s and remains a fixture atop the conference standings.
History & Legacy
Northern Illinois' football program dates to 1899. The Huskies have won six Mid-American Conference championships, in 1983, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2021, headlined by a stretch of Orange Bowl and Poinsettia Bowl appearances that raised the program's national profile. Northern Illinois moved to the Mountain West Conference as a football-only member starting in 2026.
Source: RateGame Editorial
ConferenceMid-American
Championships6 (1983, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2021)
School Founded1899
Home VenueBrigham Field at Huskie Stadium
RivalsBall State (Bronze Stalk Trophy)
All-Time IconGarrett Wolfe — all-time leading rusher
Retired Numbers6 (Dave Petzke), 11 (George Bork)
ColorsCardinal and black
MascotVictor E. Huskie