Rocky Lombardi
Kentucky running back Kavosiey Smoke, right, runs the ball into the end zone during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Youngstown State in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
No. 8 Kentucky seeks 4-0 start against Northern Illinois

By The Associated Press Sep. 22, 2022 11:37 AM EDT

Freshman QB Swann leads Vanderbilt past Northern Illinois

By Jack Mccarthy Sep. 17, 2022 07:00 PM EDT
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Freshman quarterback AJ Swann threw four touchdown passes and Vanderbilt rallied to a 38-28 non-conference victory over Northern Illinois on...

Vanderbilt quarterback Mike Wright (5) plays against Wake Forest during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, in Nashville, TN. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Vanderbilt meets N Illinois in SEC tuneup with 'Bama looming

By The Associated Press Sep. 15, 2022 12:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 30, 2019, file photo, Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead watches from the sideline in the first half of the Music City Bowl NCAA college football game against Louisville, in Nashville, Tenn. From new Akron coach Joe Moorhead to Central Michigan's Lew Nichols' pursuit of 2,000 yards, there are plenty of intriguing storylines around the league. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)
MAC PREVIEW: Huskies loading up to chase 2nd straight crown

By Michael Marot Aug. 24, 2022 09:07 AM EDT

Coastal Carolina and Northern Illinois meet in Cure Bowl

By The Associated Press Dec. 16, 2021 12:36 PM EST
Cure Bowl: Northern Illinois (9-4) against Coastal Carolina (10-2), Dec. 17, 6:00 p.m. Eastern (ESPN 2). Line: Coastal Carolina by 10½, according to...

Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi reacts towards the fans after scoring on a 1-yard run during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Kent State, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
N. Illinois wins MAC championship 41-23 over Kent St.

By Bob Tripi Dec. 04, 2021 03:42 PM EST

FILE - Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) throws against Michigan in the first half of a NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 18, 2021. Lombardi was looking for a new place to football after deciding to transfer from Michigan State nearly a year ago. Northern Illinois was searching for a quarterback to spark a turnaround. Lombardi and the Huskies proved to be a great match in the Mid-American Conference. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Rocky Lombardi-led N. Illinois faces Kent St. for MAC title

By Larry Lage Dec. 03, 2021 02:00 AM EST

Eleby's 5 TD throws lead W. Michigan past No. Illinois 42-21

Nov. 23, 2021 10:53 PM EST
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Kaleb Eleby threw five touchdown passes, four of them to Skyy Moore, and Western Michigan defeated Northern Illinois 42-21 on Tuesday night...

Northern Illinois holds off Eastern Michigan 27-20

Oct. 02, 2021 09:39 PM EDT
DEKALB, Ill. (AP) — Antario Brown rushed for 101 yards and Northern Illinois scored the game's first 17 points then held on to defeat Eastern Michigan 27-20 on...

Michigan running back Hassan Haskins (25) dives into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown run against Northern Illinois in the first half of a NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Corum's 3 TDs help No. 25 Michigan rout N. Illinois 63-10

By Dave Hogg Sep. 18, 2021 03:19 PM EDT

Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) throws against Michigan in the first half of a NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Northern Illinois at Michigan 9/18/2021

Sep. 18, 2021 01:33 PM EDT

Michigan running back Blake Corum (2) celebrates his 67-yard touchdown with offensive lineman Andrew Stueber, center, and quarterback Cade McNamara (12) in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Washington in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
No. 25 Michigan hosts Northern Illinois, former Spartans QB

By The Associated Press Sep. 16, 2021 02:53 PM EDT

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh signals a Michigan first down on the sideline during the fourth quarter of the team's NCAA college football game against Washington in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
No. 25 Michigan aims to keep momentum against N. Illinois

By Larry Lage Sep. 16, 2021 12:20 PM EDT

Georgia Tech wide receiver Kyric McGowan (2) scores a touchdown as Northern Illinois safety Jordan Hansen (7) defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Lombardi lifts Northern Illinois past Georgia Tech, 22-21

By Charles Odum Sep. 04, 2021 11:31 PM EDT

Northern Illinois quarterback Rocky Lombardi (12) throws during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)
Northern Illinois at Georgia Tech 9/4/2021

Sep. 04, 2021 09:53 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept 19, 2020, file photo, Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims (10) looks to pass against UCF during an NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Georgia Tech offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Dave Patenaude sees a new-found confidence in Jeff Sims as Sims is set to open his second season as the Yellow Jackets' starter against Northern Illinois on Saturday night. Patenaude says he has been amazed by Sims' understanding of the offense and belief in his skills in preseason practice. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik, File)
Georgia Tech's Sims more confident to face Huskies in opener

By Charles Odum Sep. 02, 2021 11:54 AM EDT

FILE - Ohio State quarterback Jack Miller throws on the sideline during an NCAA college spring football game in Columbus, Ohio, in this Saturday, April 17, 2021, file photo. With two-time Big Ten player of the year Justin Fields departing for the NFL, returning backups C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller III and five-star January enrollee Kyle McCord took the snaps in spring practice. Stroud was believed to be the front-runner entering the spring, but coach Ryan Day said a starter might not be determined until the week of the Sept. 2 opener at Minnesota.(AP Photo/Paul Vernon, File)
Ohio State among 5 Big Ten teams auditioning quarterbacks

By Eric Olson Apr. 26, 2021 03:46 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 2020, file photo, Temple quarterback Anthony Russo looks for a receiver during an NCAA college football game against Navy in Annapolis, Md. Michigan State still has uncertainty at quarterback, and coach Mel Tucker is in no rush to clarify it. Russo, a transfer from Temple, joins the mix this offseason, and Payton Thorne is back after playing four games as a redshirt freshman. (AP Photo/Gail Burton, File)
MSU's competition between Russo, Thorne just getting started

By Noah Trister Apr. 24, 2021 02:35 AM EDT

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford reacts after a touchdown against Rutgers during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Piscataway, N.J. Penn St. won 23-7. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Penn State, Michigan State close out tough regular seasons

By Travis Johnson Dec. 10, 2020 05:12 PM EST

Michigan State coach Mel Tucker is shown against Ohio State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
No. 3 Ohio State has no problem with Spartans in 52-12 win

By Noah Trister Dec. 05, 2020 04:01 PM EST