Saturday Index
Opening game centerBringing the latest verified football information into focus.
Saturday Index
Opening game centerBringing the latest verified football information into focus.
Sat, Sep 5 · BTN
FINAL| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIU | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| IOWA | 20 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 40 |
Updated Sep 8, 3:29 AM EDT
| NIU | Statistic | IOWA |
|---|---|---|
| 120 | Total yards | 507 |
| 113 | Net passing yards | 218 |
| 7 | Rushing yards | 289 |
| 7 | First downs | 26 |
| 3-15 | Third downs | 6-14 |
| 2 | Turnovers | 1 |
| 26:09 | Possession | 33:51 |
| 7-61 | Penalties | 7-60 |
| NIU | Statistic | IOWA |
|---|---|---|
| 0-0 | Fourth downs | 0-3 |
| 13-24 | Passing | 21-40 |
| 4.7 | Yards per pass | 5.5 |
| 31 | Rushing attempts | 38 |
| 0.2 | Yards per rush | 7.6 |
| 1 | Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| 1 | Interceptions | 1 |
| 4 | Passes Deflected | 3 |
| 0 | Qb Hurries | 0 |
| 0 | Sacks | 6 |
| 42 | Tackles | 30 |
| 0 | Defensive TDs | 1 |
| 4 | Tackles For Loss | 7 |
| 1 | Total Fumbles | 0 |
| 0 | Fumbles Recovered | 1 |
| 1 | Passes Intercepted | 1 |
| 0 | Interception TDs | 0 |
| 0 | Interception Yards | 17 |
| 3 | Kick Returns | — |
| 0 | Kick Return TDs | — |
| 35 | Kick Return Yards | — |
| 0 | Passing TDs | 2 |
| 0 | Rushing TDs | 2 |
| — | Kicking Points | 10 |
| — | Punt Returns | 5 |
| — | Punt Return TDs | 1 |
| — | Punt Return Yards | 124 |
Final
| Player | C/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taron Dickens | 9/14 | 96 | 0 | 1 |
| Jalen Macon | 4/10 | 17 | 0 | 0 |
Northern Illinois opens at Iowa on Sept. 5, 2026, at Kinnick Stadium, with BTN carrying the game. The Huskies bring familiar production at the skill spots: Telly Johnson Jr., still listed on the 2026 roster, ran for 690 yards and four touchdowns last season, while DeAree Rogers posted 46 catches for 506 yards and three scores. The roster lists five quarterbacks but does not establish an opening-day starter or snap order. Those are recognizable pieces as Northern Illinois begins a new season against a Big Ten opponent.
Iowa’s own offensive identity starts with Kamari Moulton, who remains listed after 878 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 2025, and guard Kade Pieper, a 13-game starter that season. Kirk Ferentz said July 28 that Iowa had not named a starting quarterback, though Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski were leadership-council selections. The answer may come in August or during the season, so the opener puts a premium on the line’s cohesion after it replaced three starters.
On the other side, Northern Illinois can test a remade Iowa defensive line that Ferentz called the program’s largest concern after seven of the prior year’s top eight linemen departed. Jay’Shon Thomas returns following 19 tackles, two sacks and three tackles for loss, while Zach Lutmer brings 71 tackles back to Iowa’s secondary. The early rhythm turns on whether Johnson and Moulton find room and whether either defense can force an unsettled quarterback situation into difficult downs. Neither roster establishes its opening-day starter or its snap order yet.
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