This Week in Huskie Athletics – Oct. 21, 2025
The Bronze Stalk is on the line this Saturday at Huskie Stadium as NIU hosts Ball State. Also on campus this week, the NIU men’s soccer team hosts Notre Dame on Tuesday night (Oct. 21) as the Fighting Irish become the first ACC team to visit NIU in men’s soccer.
Football
Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. Ball State, 2:30 p.m. – ESPN+ | Live Audio | Live Stats | Buy Tickets
NIU football is back at Huskie Stadium Saturday, hosting Ball State as the teams compete for the Bronze Stalk Trophy. Last weekend at Ohio, the Huskies fell, 48-21, to the Bobcats. Quarterback Josh Holst threw for two passing touchdowns on 21-of-29 attempts, becoming the fourth NIU player since 2015 to throw for multiple passing touchdowns while completing at least 70 percent of his passes in a single game.
Ball State (3-4) has won two of its last three games, posting wins over Ohio and Akron. Defensive end Nathan Voorhis is a standout for Cardinals, ranking tied for second in the FBS in sacks with nine this season.
Volleyball
Friday, Oct. 24: at Akron, 5 p.m. – ESPN+ | Live Stats
Saturday, Oct. 25: at Akron, 3 p.m. – ESPN+ | Live Stats
The Huskies volleyball team looks to snap a four-game skid as they travel to Akron on October 24-25 for a pair of games. First serve is set for 5 p.m. CT on Friday 24 before a 3 p.m. CT first serve on Saturday.
The Huskies were last in action hosting the Rockets of Toledo on October 17 and 18. Three Huskies recorded double-doubles in a five-set, extra-point thriller on October 18 with six Huskies setting new career marks. Emma McCartney led all players with 20 kills as she marked her third double-double.
Men’s Soccer
Tuesday, Oct. 21: vs. Notre Dame, 6 p.m. – Live Video | Live Stats | Free Admission
Saturday, Oct. 25: at UIC, 7 p.m. – ESPN+ | Live Stats
The NIU men’s soccer team is unbeaten in five matches following a 2-2 draw last time out against Belmont. Jose Gomez had a goal and an assist against the Bruins and Nico Angulo scored in the 88th to grab a point for the Huskies. Angulo’s goal was the seventh for NIU this year in the 85th minute or later.
Notre Dame comes to NIU on Tuesday for the final non-conference game of the year with a 7-3-4 overall record. Tuesday’s game against the Fighting Irish is a black out, fans are encouraged to wear black and a number of giveaway items will be available while supplies last. On Saturday, the Huskies head to UIC in a matchup of teams tied for second in the Missouri Valley. The Flames are 8-1-4 overall, 1-0-3 in the league.
Women’s Soccer
Sunday, Oct. 26: at Eastern Michigan, 12 p.m. – ESPN+ | Live Stats
The final road game of the season sends the NIU women’s soccer team to Ypsilanti, Mich., on Sunday for a matchup against Eastern Michigan. Last time out against Ohio, goalkeeper Lauren Pearson recorded a career-high eight saves.
Eastern Michigan brings a 5-7-4 overall record into Sunday’s game, including a 3-3-4 mark in league play. Last season, the Huskies topped the Eagles, 2-1, on goals from Isabel Struble and Abby Zipse.
Women’s Golf
Friday-Sunday, Oct; 24-26: White Sands Bahamas Ocean Club (Paradise Island, Bahamas) – Live Scoring
The Huskie women’s golf team wraps up the fall slate of competition as they compete at the White Sands Bahamas tournament, October 24-26. The Huskies, who are the host school, will play three rounds at the Ocean Club Golf Course on Paradise Island. Action will begin at 8 a.m. local time each day.
NIU was last in action at the Jim West Challenge, hosted by Texas State, October 19-20. Mia Raines led the Huskies with a top-45 finish while being the lone Huskie to card a par round at the tournament. Raines tallied a total of seven birdies, with three coming in the first and third rounds.
Men’s Tennis
Friday-Sunday, Oct; 24-26: MAC Indoor Championships (Kalamazoo, Mich.)
The Huskies men’s tennis team is back in action this weekend at the MAC Indoor Championships, hosted by Western Michigan.
It’s the final fall event for NIU after playing in the ITA Midwest Regional Championships last weekend. The Huskies finished the weekend strong with Iker Dellien Velasco, Lorenzo Leti Messina, Nikola Puntaric and Federico Scotuzzi all recording singles wins. The dual match season for men’s tennis begins Friday, Jan. 23, 2026 against IU Indy at home.