So, you’re looking for the score of NIU football game results from this past season. Honestly, it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster for Northern Illinois fans. If you’re checking in on the most recent action, the Huskies finished their 2025 campaign with a tough loss at home.
On Friday, November 28, 2025, Northern Illinois University (NIU) faced off against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Huskie Stadium. The final score was 35-31 in favor of Kent State.
It was one of those games that kind of stays with you, especially since it was the season finale. NIU led for a good chunk of the afternoon, but a late surge by the Golden Flashes—anchored by a career-high rushing performance from Kent State's Gavin Garcia—ended the Huskies' hopes of finishing on a high note.
That Final Score of NIU Football Game Explained
Let’s talk about that Kent State game for a second. It wasn't just another loss; it was a microcosm of the whole 2025 season. NIU came out swinging, leading 7-3 after the first quarter and keeping it tied at 21-21 going into the locker room at halftime.
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Jalen Macon was under center for the Huskies in that one. He didn't have a massive day through the air, throwing for only 27 yards, but the ground game was absolutely humming. Chavon Wright put the team on his back, racking up 185 rushing yards.
But football is a cruel game sometimes. Despite outgaining Kent State in total yardage, the Huskies couldn't stop the bleeding in the fourth quarter. Kent State put up 15 points in the final frame to snatch the win away. If you were sitting in the stands at Huskie Stadium that day, you saw a team that had the talent to win but just couldn't close the door when it mattered most.
The 2025 Schedule: Highs and Lows
To really understand the score of NIU football game outcomes throughout the year, you have to look at the full picture. The Huskies finished with a 3-9 overall record and went 2-6 in the MAC.
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- The Holy Cross Opener: They actually started the season with a win, a narrow 19-17 victory over Holy Cross.
- The Power Five Slump: Then things got rocky. Losses to Maryland (20-9) and Mississippi State (38-10) showed the gap between the mid-majors and the big-budget programs.
- The Toledo Disaster: If there was a "rock bottom" moment, it was likely the November 5th game against Toledo. NIU lost 42-3. It was the lowest-graded performance for the program in years.
- The UMass Bright Spot: Just a week after the Toledo blowout, the Huskies traveled to Amherst and absolutely dismantled UMass 45-3. It was easily their most dominant performance of the season.
Why the Scoreboard Didn't Always Tell the Whole Story
Stats are funny. If you just look at the score of NIU football game results, you see a 3-9 team. But looking deeper, the Huskies actually had a top-tier rushing attack. They averaged over 187 rushing yards per game. Chavon Wright finished the season with 875 net yards on the ground, and Telly Johnson Jr. wasn't far behind with over 700 yards of his own.
The real struggle was the passing game. In an era where everyone is slinging it 40 times a game, NIU struggled to find a consistent rhythm through the air. They averaged less than 100 passing yards per game across the entire season. When you’re that one-dimensional, defensive coordinators in the MAC are going to eventually figure you out.
Misconceptions About the Huskies’ Defense
A lot of people think the defense was the problem because of the final records. That's not entirely fair. While they gave up some big scores to teams like Ohio (48-21), they also held San Diego State to just 6 points in a weird, defensive slugfest back in September. The problem was often field position and an offense that couldn't stay on the field long enough to give the defenders a breather.
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Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2025 season is in the rearview mirror now. Head coach Thomas Hammock and the staff have already been busy. On December 3, 2025, the program welcomed 27 new players for the incoming 2026 class.
There's also a big change on the horizon. The Mountain West opponents for 2026 have already been announced, and NIU is looking at a schedule that includes some fresh faces. They’re also set to host Stony Brook in 2027 and Rhode Island in 2028, showing that the non-conference scheduling is getting a bit of a facelift.
Honestly, if you're a fan, you're looking for signs of life in the passing game and better execution in close fourth-quarter scenarios. The talent is there in the backfield, but balance is the keyword for 2026.
Actionable Next Steps for Huskies Fans:
- Review the Final Stats: Check the cumulative 2025 season stats on the official NIU Athletics site to see how the young players progressed.
- Track Recruiting: Keep an eye on the transfer portal this spring; with 27 new recruits already signed, the roster is going through a significant overhaul.
- Mark Your Calendar: The 2026 schedule is starting to solidify, so keep an eye out for official kickoff times for the home openers in DeKalb.
- Support the Program: If you're local, consider looking into 2026 season tickets early, as the program is looking to bounce back from a tough year.