NIU Football Picked Third In MAC Coaches Preseason Poll
The Northern Illinois University football team ranks third in the Mid-American Conference Coaches Preseason Poll, released by the league on Friday morning ahead of the 2024 MAC Football Kickoff at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“We are anxious to get the season started,” said NIU head coach Thomas Hammock. “We’ve had a good summer, but we know preseason is for talk. We’re going to let our play speak for us. The MAC is an extremely competitive league with great players and great coaches. Everyone is starting from the same spot and every week you have to go out and prove yourself.”
The Huskies and Bowling Green both compiled 92 points in the coaches poll to tie for third place. The defending MAC champions Miami took the top spot in the poll with 119 points and nine first place votes with Toledo taking the remaining three first place votes and 109 points. With the MAC’s new schedule model eliminating divisions for the next three seasons, the teams were ranked one through 12.
NIU won six of its last eight games in the 2023 season to finish with a 7-6 record. The Huskies won their first bowl game in 12 years with a 21-19 victory in the Camellia Bowl over Arkansas State. NIU was sixth in the nation last season in passing defense at 171.2 yards allowed per game while also ranking in the top-30 in scoring defense and total defense.
Three of NIU’s five 2023 All-MAC selections return this year led by first team running back Antario Brown (Savannah, Ga.) who rushed for 1,296 yards and 10 touchdowns. Cornerback Javaughn Byrd (Milwaukee, Wis.) was a second team selection after making 28 tackles with two interceptions and five pass breakups. Wide Receiver Trayvon Rudolph (Crete, Ill.) earned his third career All-MAC honor with a spot on the third team. Rudolph led NIU with 51 receptions for 536 yards while averaging 22.0 yards per kick return.
The Huskies open the 2024 season at Huskie Stadium on Saturday, August 31 against Western Illinois. Check out all of the ticket options and buy tickets anytime online at NIUHuskies.com/myhuskies. To request more information and connect with a member of the NIU ticket staff, call the NIU Athletics Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225). Calls received outside of business hours (Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm CT) will be returned the next business day.
2024 MAC Football Coaches Preseason Poll
- Miami (9) – 119 points
- Toledo (3) – 109 points
T3. Bowling Green – 92 points
T3. NIU – 92 points
- Ohio – 81 points
- Eastern Michigan – 64 points
- Western Michigan – 60 points
- Central Michigan – 59 points
- Ball State – 42 points
- Buffalo – 37 points
- Akron – 24 points
- Kent State – 13 points
Conference Champion: Miami (10), Toledo (2)