The winner between Ball State and Northern Illinois takes home the Bronze Stalk Trophy. The rivalry is among the fiercest in the MAC and often has a conference championship and bowl game implications since in recent years both teams have been among the strongest in the conference. This rivalry dates back to 1941 when the Cardinals and Huskies tied at 6 all and has been going strong ever since with Northern Illinois holding an ever so slim 21-20-1 all-time lead. The battle for the Bronze Stalk Trophy is a can’t miss event for Huskies fans, so make sure to be in attendance when these two bitter rivals get together.
Huskies Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
When tailgating at Northern Illinois make sure to get there early for the tailgate, as the lots open 5 hours before kickoff. Huskie fans love to tailgate and getting to the game early ensures you’ll be able to take part in all the fun and exciting pre-game festivities NIU has to offer.
The East and West Lawns are reserved for Alumni donors and are where you can find most of the diehard Huskies fans before the game. The tailgates here are fully equipped with large grills, tents, and even couches. Many of the fans in these lots stay after the game in their tailgate spots to really enjoy the tailgating to its fullest. The East Lawn is also home to the student tailgate, so if you’re looking to let loose and get wild, then the East Lawn is the place to be.
One of the center points of the tailgate party revolves around the Huskie Mobile and the Huskie Bus. The vehicles are owned and operated by a diehard NIU fans and can be found at every Huskies home game. Many students and locals set up their tailgates as close to the vehicles as possible to get in on the Huskie game day spirit that surrounds these impressive tailgate vehicles.
You’ll also be able to take in the NIU drumline when tailgating, as The NIU band’s drumline frequently makes appearances before the game at the tailgate, usually near the Huskie Mobile. You won’t want to miss the drumline performance, which riles the crowd up to a near fever pitch shortly before kickoff.
Finally, if traditional tailgating isn’t your scene then make the short walk to Fatty’s. Here you’ll find a local favorite that serves great burgers and game day wings deal (20 wings for $15). Whether you stop by before the tailgate or for a post-game snack, you can’t make the trip to DeKalb without stopping at Fatty’s for a bite to eat.
When attending a game at NIU make sure to stop by the Jordan Athletic Center and check out the Huskie statue. The statue does a great job of showing off the school pride that can be found all throughout DeKalb, so make sure to snap a picture of yourself with the statue.
You can see these fun tailgate vehicles at every Huskies tailgate, and they are usually the hub of the NIU pregame party scene so stop by and hangout for a bit.
The Drumline makes frequent tailgate appearances and does an outstanding job of riling up the crowd, so make sure to check them out when tailgating in DeKalb.
The Yard is the hub of Huskie tailgating. Here on the West Lawn, you’ll be able to meet NIU student-athletes, enjoy live music, and buy food and drinks. The Yard opens two and a half hours before kickoff, so head on down to The Yard before heading into Huskie Stadium.
The YardThe Yard is the hub of Huskie tailgating. Here on the West Lawn, you’ll be able to meet NIU student-athletes, enjoy live music, and buy food and drinks. The Yard opens two and a half hours before kickoff, so head on down to The Yard before heading into Huskie Stadium.
Donor LotsThe Donor Lots located on the East and West Lawns are only open to Alumni Donors and offer a great place to tailgate before the game. Come on down to the Donor Lots early to get the most out of your Huskies game day.
Public ParkingPublic Parking is available in the Convocation Center Lots, so don’t worry if you’re not a donor. Here you’ll be able to set up a tailgate party of your own fully equipped with grills, coolers, and plenty of booze. Make sure to show up early to get the best spot possible, as the lots open five hours before kickoff.
Huskies Stadium Guide
In Game
The Northern Illinois Huskies are a resurgent program just an hour outside of Chicago and a big time competitor in the MAC conference. The Huskies have recently made trips to the Orange Bowl, Boca Raton Bowl, Poinsettia Bowl and played in back to back MAC championships. They had even managed to finish in the Top 25 a few years ago.
With the program’s recent success it should come as no surprise that Northern Illinois provides one of the best gameday atmospheres in the MAC. At Northern Illinois, you’ll find countless banners, flags, and statues displaying Huskies pride all throughout the stadium. You’ll even find the team’s logo painted in the grass behind the south end zone showing off the pride that fills every Northern Illinois fan and student.
You’ll find the fans and students at Northern Illinois can get quite wild on game days. The alumni take a great deal of pride in the team and come out in strong numbers to support the team. The student section at Huskies games is even more intense than the rest of the crowd and has even earned the nickname is the “Red Riot.” If you’re looking to sit with the wildest and most rambunctious fans at the game then being part of the Red Riots is where you’ll want to be. The Red Riot cheers and chants throughout the game pestering the opposition and even the referees at times.
You’ll have a great time attending a Huskies football game where there are enough pride and passion on display to appease any big time college football fan out there.
Inside the stadium, you’ll find even more displays of Huskie pride, as not only are there Huskies flags and banners all throughout the stadium, but you’ll also find the Huskies logo painted into the grass behind the south end zone. There is tons of Huskies pride on display at NIU, so take it all in when attending a Huskies game.
The Red Riot is the nickname given the Huskies student section. The section fills quickly every game and is one of the loudest student sections you will encounter in the MAC. There is always a riot in the student section with raucous chants and infectious energy that is contagious throughout the stadium.
Mission is a live Siberian Huskie mascot that can be found at every NIU game. After every Huskies score Mission sprints across the end zone in celebration, so keep your eyes peeled for this great game day tradition.
The Huskie Band always knows what tune to play to energize the crowd helping create one of the best home field advantages in the MAC. The pregame and halftime displays they put on are also among the best around, so don’t miss out on this incredible band when attending an NIU game.
The school’s fight song plays after NIU puts up points, storms the field, and takes home another victory.
Huskies, come on you Huskies and make a score or two Huskies, you’re Northern Huskies the team to pull us through Forward, together forward there’s victory in view Come on you Huskies, Fight on you Huskies and win for N.I.U.
NIU Chant
The signature chant from the Huskie fans is a very loud N-I-U
If you're looking for the #1 Premium Experience in DeKalb County, then you've come to the right place. Stop by to enjoy the finest authentic Italian meal in the area, then onto a few drinks at the bar.
Smell the changes in the menu every time the wind blows a new direction, and taste homemade foods, breads and famous desserts just at the end of Pie Street.
Watch video
