2016 Northern Illinois Huskies football team

2016 Northern Illinois Huskies football
Conference	Mid-American Conference
Division	West Division
Record	5–7 (5–3 MAC)
Head coach	Rod Carey (4th season)
Offensive coordinator	Mike Uremovich (1st season)
Defensive coordinator	Kevin Kane (1st season)
MVP	Kenny Golladay
Captain	Sean Folliard, Kenny Golladay, Jamaal Payton, Corey Thomas
Home stadium	Huskie Stadium

2016 Mid-American Conference football standings

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
East Division
Ohio xy		6	–	2					8	–	6
Miami (OH) x		6	–	2					6	–	7
Akron		3	–	5					5	–	7
Bowling Green		3	–	5					4	–	8
Kent State		2	–	6					3	–	9
Buffalo		1	–	7					2	–	10
West Division
No. 15 Western Michigan xy$		8	–	0					13	–	1
Toledo		6	–	2					9	–	4
Northern Illinois		5	–	3					5	–	7
Eastern Michigan		4	–	4					7	–	6
Central Michigan		3	–	5					6	–	7
Ball State		1	–	7					4	–	8
Championship: Western Michigan 29, Ohio 23
$ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2016 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Rod Carey, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 5–7 with a mark of 5–3 in conference play, placing third in the MAC's West Division. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.

Preseason

For the second straight year, the Huskies were picked to finish third in the division in 2016 in the poll released during the 2016 MAC Media Day at Ford Field in Detroit.^[1]

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance	Source
September 3	9:30 p.m.	at Wyoming*	War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY	CBSSN	L 34–40 ^3OT	18,483
September 10	6:30 p.m.	at South Florida*	Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL	CBSSN	L 17–48	36,557
September 17	2:30 p.m.	San Diego State*	Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL	CBSSN	L 28–42	14,513
September 24	2:30 p.m.	No. 13 Western Illinois*	Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL	ESPN3	L 23–28	15,496
October 1	2:30 p.m.	at Ball State	Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN (Bronze Stalk Trophy)	ASN	W 31–24	7,249
October 8	5:30 p.m.	at Western Michigan	Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI	CBSSN	L 30–45	28,042
October 15	2:30 p.m.	Central Michigan	Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL	ESPN3	L 28–34 ^3OT	8,495
October 22	2:30 p.m.	Buffalo	Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL	ESPN3	W 44–7	11,801
November 1	7:00 p.m.	Bowling Green	Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL	ESPNU	W 45–20	4,790
November 9	7:00 p.m.	vs. Toledo	Guaranteed Rate Field Chicago, IL (Huskie Chi–Town Showdown)	ESPN2	L 24–31	10,180	[2]
November 16	7:00 p.m.	at Eastern Michigan	Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI	ESPNU	W 31–24 ^OT	15,603
November 25	11:00 a.m.	at Kent State	Dix Stadium Kent, OH	CBSSN	W 31–21	4,450
*Non-conference game Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[3][4]

Game summaries

Wyoming

NIU at Wyoming

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT Total NIU 7 6 7 7 0 7 0 34 • Wyoming 3 10 14 0 0 7 6 40 Date: September 3, 2016 Location: War Memorial Stadium Laramie, WY Game start: 10:20 p.m. Elapsed time: 4:14 Game attendance: 18,483 Game weather: Temperature: 57 °F (14 °C) • Wind: SSE 10 mph • Weather: Mostly cloudy Referee: Kevin Hassell TV announcers (CBSSN): Dwayne Ballen (play-by-play), Adam Archuleta (analyst), Cassie McKinney (sideline)

Scoring summary 1 08:03 NIU Kenny Golloday 39 yard pass from Drew Hare (Christian Hagan kick), 10 plays, 81 yards, TOP 4:11 7–0 NIU 1 00:43 WYO Cooper Rothe 35 yard field goal, 10 plays, 30 yards, TOP 4:14 7–3 NIU 2 14:19 NIU Kenny Golloday 34 yard run (Christian Hagan kick failed), 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:24 13–3 NIU 2 11:42 WYO Brian Hill 2 yard run (Cooper Rothe kick), 6 plays, 52 yards, TOP 2:37 13–10 NIU 2 04:32 WYO Cooper Rothe 29 yard field goal, 13 plays, 62 yards, TOP 6:12 13–13 TIE 3 09:50 WYO Tanner Gentry 17 yard pass from Josh Allen (Cooper Rothe kick), 4 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:38 20–13 WYO 3 07:03 NIU Kenny Golladay 27 yard pass from Drew Hare (Christian Hagan kick), 7 plays, 64 yards, TOP 2:47 20–20 TIE 3 01:39 WYO Jacob Hollister 2 yard pass from Josh Allen (Cooper Rothe kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 5:24 27–20 WYO 4 01:13 NIU Shane Wimann 19 yard pass from Drew Hare (Christian Hagan kick), 10 plays, 77 yards, TOP 1:59 27–27 TIE 2OT 15:00 WYO Brian Hill 5 yard run (Cooper Rothe kick), 7 plays, 0 yards, TOP 0:00 34–27 WYO 2OT 15:00 NIU Drew Hare 1 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 5 plays, 0 yards, TOP 0:00 34–34 TIE 3OT 15:00 WYO Josh Allen 7 yard run, 5 plays, 0 yards, TOP 0:00 40–34 WYO

See also: 2016 Wyoming Cowboys football team

The Cowboys beat the Huskies in triple overtime, 40–34. NIU quarterback Drew Hare went 24-for-39 for 327 yards, with three touchdowns and no interceptions. Receiver Kenny Golladay gained 144 yards on 10 catches with one touchdown and got 82 yards and another touchdown rushing. However, the Huskies had 12 penalties for 108 yards. The game was scheduled to start at 8:30 p.m. Mountain Time, but began almost two hours late due to lightning. The game ended at 2:35 a.m. MT, which was 3:35 a.m. for NIU fans back in Illinois.^[5][6]

South Florida

NIU at South Florida

1 2 3 4 Total NIU 0 7 0 10 17 • South Florida 14 13 14 7 48 Date: September 10, 2016 Location: Raymond James Stadium Tampa, FL Game start: 7:08 p.m. ET Elapsed time: 3:35 Game attendance: 36,557 Game weather: Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C) • Wind: E 5 mph • Weather: Mostly cloudy Referee: Tom Stapleton TV announcers (CBSSN): Dwayne Ballen (play-by-play), Corey Chavous (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 06:39 USF Rodney Adams 11 yard run (Emilio Nadelman kick), 10 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:16 7–0 USF 1 03:25 USF Ryeshene Bronson 73 yard pass from Quinton Flowers (Emilio Nadelman kick), 3 plays, 84 yards, TOP 1:15 14–0 USF 2 14:05 USF Emilio Nadelman 31 yard field goal, 8 plays, 59 yards, TOP 2:28 17–0 USF 2 11:07 USF Rodney Adams 26 yard pass from Quinton Flowers (Emilio Nadelman kick), 5 plays, 74 yards, TOP 2:06 24–0 USF 2 5:17 USF Emilio Nadelman 34 yard field goal, 8 plays, 39 yards, TOP 5:17 27–0 USF 2 01:36 NIU Aregeros Turner 4 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:36 27–7 USF 3 08:05 USF D'Ernest Johnson 13 yard pass from Quinton Flowers (Emilio Nadelman kick), 7 plays, 79 yards, TOP 1:56 34–7 USF 3 04:27 USF Chris Barr 6 yard pass from Quinton Flowers (Emilio Nadelman kick), 8 plays, 41 yards, TOP 2:31 41–7 USF 4 13:31 USF Darius Tice 11 yard run (Emilio Nadelman kick), 11 plays, 92 yards, TOP 3:56 48–7 USF 4 10:09 NIU Aregeros Turner 11 yard pass from Ryan Graham (Christian Hagan kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:22 48–14 USF 4 02:34 NIU Christian Hagan 22 yard field goal, 6 plays, 20 yards, TOP 2:34 48–17 USF

See also: 2016 South Florida Bulls football team

San Diego State

San Diego State at NIU

1 2 3 4 Total • San Diego State 14 14 0 14 42 NIU 0 7 14 7 28 Date: September 17, 2016 Location: Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL Game start: 2:37 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:40 Game attendance: 14,513 Game weather: Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind: W 15 mph • Weather: Partly sunny Referee: Scott Campbell TV announcers (CBSSN): Ben Holden (play-by-play), Jay Feely (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 07:19 SDSU Donnie Pumphrey 46 yard run (John Baron kick), 1 play, 46 yards, TOP 0:09 7–0 SDSU 1 01:08 SDSU Rashaad Penny 27 yard pass from Christian Chapman (John Baron kick), 6 plays, 68 yards, TOP 3:16 14–0 SDSU 2 14:09 SDSU Kahale Warring 5 yard pass from Christian Chapman (John Baron kick), 4 plays, 13 yards, TOP 1:43 21–0 SDSU 2 06:19 SDSU Mikah Holder 33 yard pass from Christian Chapman (John Baron kick), 3 plays, 45 yards, TOP 1:14 28–0 SDSU 2 03:52 NIU Kenny Golladay 12 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 7 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:27 28–7 SDSU 3 12:03 NIU Kenny Golladay 49 yard pass from Ryan Graham (Christian Hagan kick), 2 plays, 54 yards, TOP 0:31 28–14 SDSU 3 7:46 NIU Shane Wimann 14 yard pass from Ryan Graham (Christian Hagan kick), 7 plays, 73 yards, TOP 3:08 28–21 SDSU 4 14:54 SDSU Donne Pumphrey 33 yard run (John Baron kick), 5 plays, 53 yards, TOP 1:44 35–21 SDSU 4 8:02 NIU Shane Wimann 7 yard pass from Ryan Graham (Christian Hagan kick), 16 plays, 65 yards, TOP 6:43 35–28 SDSU 4 07:40 SDSU Donne Pumphrey 79 yard run (John Baron kick), 2 plays, 79 yards, TOP 0:17 42–28 SDSU

See also: 2016 San Diego State Aztecs football team

Western Illinois

Western Illinois at NIU

1 2 3 4 Total • Western Illinois 14 0 14 0 28 NIU 0 7 0 16 23 Date: September 24, 2016 Location: Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL Game start: 2:30 p.m. Elapsed time: 3:24 Game attendance: 15,496 Game weather: Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C) • Wind: E 9 mph • Weather: Cloudy Referee: Ron Hudson Television network: ESPN3

Scoring summary 1 06:52 WIU Steve McShane 11 yard run (Nathan Knuffman kick), 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:39 7–0 WIU 1 01:00 WIU Jamie Gilmore 1 yard run (Nathan Knuffman kick), 9 plays 62 yards, TOP 4:26 14–0 WIU 2 12:40 NIU Shane Wimann 2 yard pass from Ryan Graham (Christian Hagan kick), 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:20 14–7 WIU 3 11:18 WIU Sean McGuire 1 yard run (Nathan Knuffman kick), 7 plasy, 75 yards, TOP 3:50 21–7 WIU 3 07:20 WIU Isaiah Lesure 3 yard pass from Sean McGuire (Nathan Knuffman kick), 5 plays, 23 yards, TOP 1:30 28–7 WIU 4 14:07 NIU Christian Hagan 27 yard field goal, 10 plays, 72 yards, TOP 3:41 28–10 WIU 4 11:44 NIU Joran Huff 23 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 2 plays 23 yards 28–17 WIU 4 08:15 NIU Kenny Golladay 39 yard pass from Anthony Maddie (two-point pass conv. failed), 6 plays 60 yards, TOP 1:16 28–23 WIU

See also: 2016 Western Illinois Leathernecks football team

Ball State

NIU at Ball State
Bronze Stalk Trophy

1 2 3 4 Total • NIU 10 14 0 7 31 Ball State 10 7 0 7 24 Date: October 1, 2016 Location: Scheumann Stadium Muncie, IN Game start: 3:36 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3:21 Game attendance: 7,249 Game weather: Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) • Wind: WSW 8 mph • Weather: Overcast with showers Referee: Timothy O'Dey Television network: ASN/ESPN3

Scoring summary 1 10:33 BSU Morgan Hagee 26 yard field goal, 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:08 3–0 BSU 1 08:33 NIU Christian Hagan 41 yard field goal, 8 plays, 59 yards, TOP 1:52 3–3 TIE 1 01:08 NIU Anthony Maddie 75 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 4 plays, 97 yards, TOP: 1:13 10–3 NIU 1 00:15 BSU James Gilber 11 yard run (Morgan Hagee kick), 4 plays, 57 yards, TOP: 0:45 10–10 TIE 2 13:47 BSU James Gilber 3 yard run (Morgan Hagee kick), 4 plays, 44 yards, TOP: 1:05 17–10 BSU 2 11:16 NIU Kenny Golladay 14 yard pass from Anthony Maddie (Christian Hagan kick), 7 plays, 67 yards, TOP: 2:26 17–17 TIE 2 01:26 NIU Joel Bouagnon 2 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 9 plays, 80 yards, TOP: 3:01 24–17 NIU 4 12:26 BSU James Gilber 3 yard run (Morgan Hagee kick), 10 plays 43 yards, TOP: 3:44 24–24 TIE 4 11:14 NIU Kenny Golladay 22 yard pass from Anthony Maddie, (Christian Hagan kick), 6 plays 60 yards, TOP: 1:03 31–24 NIU

See also: 2016 Ball State Cardinals football team and Bronze Stalk Trophy

Western Michigan

NIU at Western Michigan

1 2 3 4 Total NIU 0 17 6 7 30 • Western Michigan 14 7 10 14 45 Date: October 8, 2016 Location: Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI Game start: 6:35 p.m. EDT Elapsed time: 3:41 Game attendance: 28,042 Game weather: Temperature: 56 °F (13 °C) • Wind: 10 mph • Weather: Clear Referee: Larry Smith TV announcers (CBSSN): Ben Holden (play-by-play), Jay Feely (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 12:42 WMU J Franklin 32 yard pass from Zach Terrell (Butch Hampton kick), 6 plays, 78 yards, TOP 2:18 7–0 WMU 1 00:46 WMU Corey Davis 20 yard pass from Zach Terrell (Butch Hampton kick), 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:03 14–0 WMU 2 14:18 NIU Christian Blake 2 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 5 plays, 70 yards TOP: 1:28 14–7 WMU 2 10:05 WMU J Franklin 1 yard run (Butch Hampton kick), 9 plays 65 yards, TOP: 4:13 21–7 WMU 2 06:09 NIU Shane Wimann 26 yard pass from Anthony Maddie (Christian Hagan kick), 9 plays 65 yards, TOP: 3:56 21–14 WMU 2 03:01 NIU Christian Hagan 30 yard field goal, 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP: 2:09 21–17 WMU 3 10:26 NIU Christian Hagan 19 yard field goal, 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP: 4:34 21–20 WMU 2 05:21 WMU Butch Hampton 23 yard field goal, 11 plays, 84 yards, TOP: 5:05 24–20 WMU 3 02:56 NIU Christian Hagan 37 yard field goal, 7 plays, 70 yards, TOP: 2:25 24–23 WMU 3 00:22 WMU Corey Davis 8 yard pass from Zach Terrell (Butch Hampton kick), 5 plays, 69 yards, TOP: 2:34 31–23 WMU 4 12:04 WMU Davon Tucker 26 yard run (Butch Hampton kick), 5 plays 87 yards, TOP: 2:10 38–23 WMU 4 08:38 NIU Anthony Maddie 8 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 9 plays, 62 yards, TOP: 3:26 38–30 WMU 4 05:20 WMU Zach Terrell 2 yard run (Butch Hampton kick), 6 plays 86 yards, TOP: 3:18 45–30 WMU

See also: 2016 Western Michigan Broncos football team

Central Michigan

Central Michigan at NIU

1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT Total • Central Michigan 0 14 0 7 0 7 6 34 NIU 0 7 7 7 0 7 0 28 Date: October 15, 2016 Location: Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL Game start: 2:30 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:33 Game attendance: 8,495 Game weather: Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Wind: S 20 mph • Weather: Cloudy Referee: Ron Hudson Television network: ESPN3

Scoring summary 2 08:38 CMU Thomas Thomas 11 yard pass from Cooper Rush (Brian Eavey kick), 3 plays, 18 yards, TOP 0:59 7–0 CMU 2 06:30 NIU Christian Blake 17 yard pass from Anthony Maddie (Christian Hagan kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:08 7–7 TIE 2 00:42 CMU Jahray Hayes 3 yard run (Brian Eavey kick), 11 plays, 65 yards, TOP 5:48 14–7 CMU 3 00:31 NIU Aregero Turner 11 yard pass from Anthony Maddie (Christian Hagan kick), 13 plays, 80 yards, TOP 5:06 14–14 TIE 4 04:21 CMU Devon Spalding 58 yard run (Brian Eavey kick), 4 plays, 80 yards, TOP 1:57 21–14 CMU 4 03:43 NIU Aregero Turner 53 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 2 plays, 61 yards, TOP 0:32 21–21 TIE 2OT 15:00 CMU Corey Willis 25 yard pass from Cooper Rush (Brian Eavey kick), 2 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:00 28–21 CMU 2OT 15:00 NIU Joel Bouagnon 13 yard pass from Anthony Maddie (Christian Hagan kick), 5 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:00 28–28 TIE 3OT 15:00 CMU Tyler Conklin 25 yard pass from Cooper Rush, 1 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:00 34–28 CMU

See also: 2016 Central Michigan Chippewas football team

Buffalo

Buffalo at NIU

1 2 3 4 Total Buffalo 0 7 0 0 7 • NIU 10 20 7 7 44 Date: October 22, 2016 Location: Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL Game start: 2:30 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:12 Game attendance: 11,801 Game weather: Temperature: 58 °F (14 °C) • Wind: S 14 mph • Weather: Mostly cloudy Referee: Greg Sujack Television network: ESPN3

Scoring summary 1 14:48 NIU Aregero Turner 97 yard kickoff return (Christian Hagan kick) 7–0 NIU 1 06:14 NIU Christian Hagan 25 yard field goal, 12 plays, 52 yards, TOP 4:01 10–0 NIU 2 14:53 BUFF Jordan Johnson 29 yard run (Adam Mitcheson kick), 7 plays, 90 yards, TOP 2:59 10–7 NIU 2 10:52 NIU Anthony Maddie 15 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 5 plays, 41 yards, TOP 1:38 17–7 NIU 2 07:14 NIU Anthony Maddie 16 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 6 plays, 74 yards, TOP 2:15 24–7 NIU 2 00:18 NIU Anthony Maddie 3 yard run (two-point run conv.), 5 plays, 80 yards, TOP 0:46 30–7 NIU 3 07:16 NIU Kenny Golladay 22 yard pass from Anthony Maddie (Christian Hagan kick), 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:56 37–7 NIU 4 09:04 NIU Anthony Maddie 23 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 10 plays, 95 yards, TOP 4:24 44–7 NIU

See also: 2016 Buffalo Bulls football team

Bowling Green

Bowling Green at NIU

1 2 3 4 Total Bowling Green 7 6 7 0 20 • NIU 14 10 14 7 45 Date: November 1, 2016 Location: Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL Game start: 7:00 p.m. CDT Elapsed time: 3:31 Game attendance: 4,790 Game weather: Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C) • Wind: SSW 5 mph • Weather: Clear Referee: Mark Kluczynski Television network: ESPNU

Scoring summary 1 10:05 NIU Joel Bouagnon 14 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 3:41 7–0 NIU 1 04:39 BGSU Scott Miller 2 yard pass from James Morgan (Jake Suder kick), 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:26 7–7 TIE 1 00:53 NIU Joel Bouagnon 1 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:46 14–7 NIU 2 13:44 NIU Christian Hagan 41 yard field goal, 5 plays, 20 yards, TOP 1:17 17–7 NIU 2 12:30 BGSU Ronnie Moore 37 yard pass from James Morgan (Jake Suder kick blocked), 3 plays, 72 yards, TOP 1:14 17–13 NIU 2 07:10 NIU Anthony Maddie 2 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 15 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:20 24–13 NIU 3 09:47 NIU Joel Bouagnon 2 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 4 plays, 24 yards, TOP 1:28 31–13 NIU 3 03:03 BGSU Teo Redding 5 yard pass from James Morgan (Jake Suder kick), 9 plays, 71 yards, TOP 2:59 31–20 NIU 3 00:45 NIU Joel Bouagnon 15 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:18 38–20 NIU 4 01:40 NIU Joel Bouagnon 6 yard run (Christian Hagan kick), 5 plays, 30 yards, TOP 2:42 45–20 NIU

See also: 2016 Bowling Green Falcons football team

Toledo

Toledo at NIU

1 2 3 4 Total • Toledo 0 3 14 14 31 NIU 7 7 7 3 24 Date: November 9, 2016 Location: Guaranteed Rate Field Chicago, IL Game start: 7:00 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:39 Game attendance: 10,180 Game weather: Temperature: 51 °F (11 °C) • Wind: W 5 mph • Weather: Clear Referee: Larry Smith Television network: ESPN2

Scoring summary 1 00:22 NIU Shane Wimann 1 yard pass from Ryan Graham (Christian Hagan kick), 11 plays, 71 yards, TOP 4:55 7–0 NIU 2 12:06 TOL Jameson Vest 44 yard field goal, 10 plays, 48 yards, TOP 3:16 7–3 NIU 2 07:41 NIU Kenny Golladay 4 yard pass from Ryan Graham (Christian Hagan kick), 12 plays, 86 yards, TOP 4:15 14–3 NIU 3 11:59 TOL Michael Roberts 27 yard pass from Logan Woodside (Jameson Vest kick), 6 plays, 52 yards, TOP 2:22 14–10 NIU 3 06:09 NIU Christian Blake 19 yard pass from Ryan Graham (Christian Hagan kick), 14 plays, 75 yards, TOP 5:41 21–10 NIU 3 03:23 TOL Jon'Vea Johnson 36 yard pass from Logan Woodside (Jameson Vest kick), 7 plays, 76 yards, TOP 2:33 21–17 NIU 4 12:32 TOL Michael Roberts 5 yard pass from Logan Woodside (Jameson Vest kick), 7 plays, 57 yards, TOP 2:42 24–21 TOL 4 04:31 NIU Christian Hagan 22 yard field goal, 12 plays, 73 yards, TOP 4:27 24–24 TIE 4 01:15 TOL Kareem Hunt 1 yard run (Jameson Vest kick), 9 plays, 71 yards, TOP 3:08 31–24 TOL

See also: 2016 Toledo Rockets football team

The Huskies lost to the Rockets 31–24. The loss eliminated Northern Illinois from bowl game eligibility, ending their conference-record streak of eight straight bowl games. NIU had beaten Toledo in their six previous matchups. This was the first football game ever played at Guaranteed Rate Field, the recently-renamed stadium of the Chicago White Sox.^[7]

Eastern Michigan

NIU at Eastern Michigan

1 2 3 4 OT Total • NIU 0 0 17 7 7 31 Eastern Michigan 14 7 0 3 0 24 Date: November 16, 2016 Location: Rynearson Stadium Ypsilanti, MI Game start: 7:02 p.m. CST Elapsed time: 3:54 Game attendance: 15,603 Game weather: 46 F Wind: N 5 MPH, Weather: Clear Referee: Ron Hudson TV announcers (ESPNU): Kevin Brown (play-by-play), Craig Haubert (analyst)

Scoring summary 1 12:26 EMU ERIKSEN, Ian 27 yd run (FRICANO, Paul kick), 8 plays, 82 yards, TOP 2:34 7–0 EMU 1 01:56 EMU BAILEY, Sergio 13 yd pass from ROBACK, Brogan (FRICANO, Paul kick), 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:00 14–0 EMU 2 01:12 EMU ERIKSEN, Ian 1 yd run (FRICANO, Paul kick), 8 plays, 33 yards, TOP 2:36 21–0 EMU 3 14:41 NIU HUFF, Jordan 60 yd run (HAGAN, Christian kick), 1 play, 60 yards, TOP 0:16 21–7 EMU 3 05:32 NIU TURNER, Aregero 74 yd pass from SANTACATERINA D (HAGAN, Christian kick), 2 plays, 78 yards, TOP 0:43 21–14 EMU 3 02:36 NIU HAGAN, Christian 33 yd field goal, 5 plays, 41 yards, TOP 1:01 21–17 EMU 4 13:45 NIU HUFF, Jordan 27 yd run (HAGAN, Christian kick), 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 2:40 24–21 NIU 4 00:43 EMU FRICANO, Paul 24 yd field goal, 16 plays, 63 yards, TOP 6:03 24–24 TIE OT 15:00 NIU HUFF, Jordan 2 yd run (HAGAN, Christian kick), 6 plays, 25 yards, TOP 0:00 31–24 NIU

See also: 2016 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team

Kent State

NIU at Kent State

1 2 3 4 Total • NIU 7 0 10 14 31 Kent State 0 7 7 7 21 Date: November 25, 2016 Location: Dix Stadium Kent, OH Game start: TBA

Scoring summary

See also: 2016 Kent State Golden Flashes football team

Postseason awards

All-MAC

Team	Player	Position	Year
1st	Max Scharping	OL	SO
	Kenny Golladay	WR	SR
	Aregeros Turner	Return Spec.	SR
2nd	Levon Myers	OL	SR
	Joel Bouagnon	RB	SR
	Shawun Lurry	DB	JR

^[8]

References

1. "Huskies Third in MAC Preseason Poll - The Official Website of Northern Illinois Athletics". niuhuskies.com. Retrieved August 1, 2016.
2. "2016 NIU-Toledo Game to be played at U.S. Cellular Field". FB Schedules. February 17, 2016. Retrieved March 20, 2016.
3. "NIU 2016 Football Schedule Set". The Northern Illinois Official Athletic Site. February 22, 2016. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
4. "2016 Northern Illinois Huskies Football Schedule". FB Schedules. Retrieved March 21, 2016.
5. Helfgot, Mike (September 4, 2016). "NIU Comes Up Empty after Lightning Delay, 3 OTs, 3:35 a.m. Finish". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
6. Severson, Jesse (September 5, 2016). "NIU Football: 'Too Many Mistakes' Doom Huskies in 3OT Loss at Wyoming". Daily Chronicle. DeKalb. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
7. Helfgot, Mike (November 9, 2016). "Northern Illinois Out of Bowl Contention after Loss to Toledo at Sox Park". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 13, 2016.
8. "MAC Announces 2016 All-MAC Teams and Postseason Awards". Mid-American Conference. Retrieved June 21, 2017.