DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University football team closes out back-to-back road games this weekend, making a trip to San José State on Saturday at 3 p.m. CT.
Saturday will be the second meeting between NIU and San José State, battling previously on Sept. 16, 1995 in a Big West Conference matchup in which the Huskies held on for an 18-17 victory. In 2004, NIU defeated Troy, 34-21, in the Silicon Valley Football Classic at Spartan Stadium in San José State, Calif. Battling through a downpour and lightning delay, the bowl game victory was the first for the Huskies in 21 years.
NIU (0-8, 0-4 MW) comes into the week after pushing UNLV to the limit on Halloween, falling 31-24. Running back Elijah Porter carried the ball 21 times for 113 yards and even added two tackles on special teams. Wide receiver George Dimopoulos also had a day, going for 127 yards on seven catches and one touchdown on a 61-yard reception.
The offense totaled 493 yards, the most in a single game since Aug. 31, 2024 (706 vs. Western Illinois) and most since an FBS opponent since Oct. 31, 2023 (506 at Central Michigan). Wide receiver DeAree Rogers can etch himself into the Huskies record book, needing three catches to pass NIU Hall of Famer Justin McCareins (66, 2000) for 10th all-time on the single-season receptions list.
Two Huskies recorded their first interception last Saturday night in linebacker Brady Kerperin and safety Champ Smith III. NIU has recorded at least one interception in six of eight games this season and forced multiple turnovers three times. Linebacker Jack Murray led the Huskies in tackles with nine and ranks 10th in the Mountain West in tackles per game.
The NIU defense held UNLV to one touchdown in the second half, the third time the unit has done so this season (Iowa, 1; Illinois State, 1) and turned the Rebels away on all four third-down attempts.
San José State (4-5, 2-3 MW) also enters Saturday coming off a one-score loss on Halloween, losing to New Mexico 21-16. Running back Jabari Bates ranks second in the MW in rushing yards with 649 on the season. Wide receiver Carson Clark sits next to Rogers among receiving leaders in the Mountain West with 642 yards and five touchdowns on 55 receptions in nine games.
The Spartans have shown the ability to rush the passer, recording a conference-leading 31 sacks with 11 coming against UTEP on Oct. 17. Defensive lineman Jayland McGlothen’s six sacks are tied for the lead in the MW. Linebacker Dylan Lee has 78 tackles this season. The San José State defense is averaging 18.4 points allowed per game in conference play.
NIU will return home to face Nevada on Nov. 14 against Nevada at 2:30 p.m..
November 6, 2026
