2015 Northern Illinois Huskies football team

American college football season June 2021 February 2026 2015 Northern Illinois Huskies football Northern Illinois Huskies football wordmark.svg Mid-American Conference West Division MAC 8–6 6–2 Rod Carey 3rd Bob Cole 3rd Multiple Jay Niemann 5th 4–3 Kenny Golladay Boomer Mays Aidan Conlon Paris Logan Boomer Mays Marlon Moore Andrew Ness Huskie Stadium MAC West Division co-champion MAC Championship Game L 14–34 vs. Bowling Green Poinsettia Bowl L 7–55 vs. Boise State The 2015 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by third-year head coach Rod Carey, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 8–6 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, finishing in a four-way tie for the MAC West Division title with Central Michigan, Toledo, and Western Michigan. Northern Illinois advance to the MAC Championship Game, where they lost to Bowling Green. The Huskies were invited to the Boca Raton Bowl, to the Poinsettia Bowl, where they were defeated by Boise State. The team played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois. The season marked the Huskies' eighth consecutive trip to a bowl game and their fourth consecutive bowl game loss. Schedule 2015 AP Central September 5 6:30 p.m. w y UNLV Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL CBSSN 38–30 15,455 September 12 2:30 p.m. w y Murray State Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL ESPN3 57–26 17,465 September 19 2:30 p.m. l y y Ohio State 1 Ohio Stadium Columbus, OH ABC/ESPN2 13–20 104,095 September 26 12:00 p.m. l y y Boston College Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA ESPN3 14–17 30,193 October 3 2:00 p.m. l y Central Michigan Kelly/Shorts Stadium Mt. Pleasant, MI ESPN3 19–29 17,380 October 10 2:30 p.m. w Ball State Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL Bronze Stalk Trophy ESPN3 59–41 13,535 October 17 1:30 p.m. w y Miami (OH) Yager Stadium Oxford, OH ESPN3 45–12 20,278 October 24 2:30 p.m. w y Eastern Michigan Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL ESPN3 49–21 17,245 November 3 7:00 p.m. w y Toledo 20 Glass Bowl Toledo, OH ESPN2 32–27 23,089 November 11 7:00 p.m. w y Buffalo University at Buffalo Stadium Buffalo, NY ESPNU 41–30 14,260 November 18 7:00 p.m. w Western Michigan Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL ESPN2 27–19 10,194 November 24 6:30 p.m. l Ohio Huskie Stadium DeKalb, IL ESPNU 21–26 9,755 December 4 7:00 p.m. l y y Bowling Green Ford Field Detroit, MI MAC Championship Game ESPN2 14–34 16,425 December 23 3:30 p.m. l y y Boise State Qualcomm Stadium San Diego, CA Poinsettia Bowl ESPN 7–55 21,501 Game summaries UNLV Rebels 7 10 3 10 Huskies 3 7 14 14 2015 UNLV Rebels football team The Huskies trailed by seven points at halftime, but scored four touchdowns in the second half to beat the Rebels 38–30. Northern Illinois quarterback Drew Hare was 21-for-26 for 360 yards and two touchdowns, and wide receiver Kenny Golladay caught nine passes for 213 yards in his first game for NIU.Northern Illinois Pushed to Limit but Prevails 38-30 Jack McCarthy http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-niu-unlv-football-spt-0906-20150905-story.html Chicago Tribune September 5, 2015 September 27, 2015 Murray State Racers 7 3 6 10 Huskies 6 14 20 17 2015 Murray State Racers football team After getting off to another slow start, the Huskies overpowered the Racers 57–26. Drew Hare threw a career-high four touchdown passes. Kenny Golladay had eight catches for 144 yards and was one of ten Northern Illinois receivers who caught passes.Drew Hare Tosses 4 Touchdown Passes as NIU Blows Out Murray State Jack McCarthy http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-northern-illinois-murray-state-football-spt-0913-20150912-story.html Chicago Tribune September 12, 2015 September 27, 2015 At Ohio State Huskies 7 3 0 3 Buckeyes 3 7 10 0 2015 Ohio State Buckeyes football team The Buckeyes, ranked No. 1 in the nation, beat the Huskies 20–13 in a close-fought game. Northern Illinois had won their three previous games against Big Ten opponents.Northern Illinois Falls Short but Makes Real Game of It at Ohio State Teddy Greenstein http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-greenstein-niu-ohio-state-football-spt-0920-20150919-column.html Chicago Tribune September 19, 2015 September 27, 2015 At Boston College Huskies 0 7 0 7 Eagles 0 7 7 3 2015 Boston College Eagles football team In another close game, the Eagles, with the nation's top-ranked defense, beat the Huskies 17–14. In his first start as the Boston College quarterback, Troy Flutie, the nephew of Doug Flutie, completed five of 11 passes for 92 yards with one touchdown and one interception.Boston College Edges Northern Illinois 17-14 Ken Powtack http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-colleges-football-niu-boston-college-spt-20150926-story.html Chicago Tribune Associated Press September 26, 2015 September 27, 2015 At Central Michigan Huskies 10 0 3 6 Chippewas 3 0 23 3 2015 Central Michigan Chippewas football team In their first conference game of the season, the Huskies led 10–3 at halftime, but committed four turnovers in the second half, allowing 19 unanswered points by the Chippewas. This marked NIU's first three-game losing streak since 2009.Second Half Turnovers Costly for Huskies in Loss at Central Michigan Jesse Severson https://www.daily-chronicle.com/2015/10/03/second-half-turnovers-costly-for-huskies-in-loss-at-central-michigan/a2m0kpl/ Daily Chronicle DeKalb October 3, 2015 October 4, 2015 Ball State Cardinals 3 17 7 14 Huskies 0 28 10 21 2015 Ball State Cardinals football team Bronze Stalk Trophy After falling behind 10–0, the Huskies scored on nine of their next ten possessions. NIU quarterback Drew Hare was 29-for-32 in passing for a 90.2% completion rate, a new school record. Cardinals quarterback Riley Neal threw for 393 yards and four touchdowns, but the Huskies prevailed, 59–41,Drew Hare Breaks NIU Passing Record in 59-41 Victory over Ball State Jack McCarthy http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-northern-illinois-ball-state-football-spt-1011-20151010-story.html Chicago Tribune October 11, 2015 October 11, 2015 winning the Bronze Stalk Trophy for the seventh year in a row. At Miami (OH) Huskies 21 0 10 14 RedHawks 0 3 2 7 2015 Miami RedHawks football team The Huskies scored three unanswered touchdowns in the first quarter, and went on to beat the RedHawks 45–12 for their first road victory of the season. NIU receiver Kenny Golladay had six catches for 73 yards, and Joel Bouagnon ran for 134 yards and three touchdowns on 14 carries. Cornerback Shawun Lurry had his seventh interception of the season, the most in the nation.Huskies Strike Early, Roll Over Miami (Ohio) for First Road Win Jesse Severson https://www.daily-chronicle.com/2015/10/17/huskies-strike-early-roll-over-miami-ohio-for-first-road-win/alhjrtd/ Daily Chronicle DeKalb October 17, 2015 October 17, 2015 Eastern Michigan Eagles 0 0 14 7 Huskies 14 21 7 7 2015 Eastern Michigan Eagles football team The Huskies led the Eagles 35–0 at halftime, and went on to win their Homecoming game 49–21. Drew Hare threw four touchdown passes, and Joel Bouagnon and Jordan Huff each gained more than 100 yards rushing.NIU 49, EMU 21: Eagles' Defense a Speed Bump for Huskies http://www.freep.com/story/sports/college/2015/10/24/northern-illinois-huskies-eastern-michigan-eagles/74560316/ Detroit Free Press Associated Press October 24, 2015 October 25, 2015 At Toledo Huskies 10 6 3 13 #20 Rockets 17 0 7 3 2015 Toledo Rockets football team The Rockets, ranked #20 in the AP poll, led for most of the game, but the Huskies pulled ahead with two minutes remaining and won 32–27. After Drew Hare sustained a leg injury midway through the second quarter, Ryan Graham took over as NIU quarterback, completing 9 of 12 passes for 132 yards and running for 41 yards.Northern Illinois Rallies for 32-27 Win over No. 20 Toledo https://www.si.com/college-football/game/2015/11/03/huskies-rockets-tuesday-november-3rd-2015 Sports Illustrated Associated Press November 3, 2015 November 4, 2015 At Buffalo Huskies 14 14 3 10 Bulls 3 0 20 7 2015 Buffalo Bulls football team After leading 28–3 at halftime, the Huskies hung on to beat the Bulls 41–30 for their fifth straight win. In his first start at the Huskies quarterback, redshirt freshman Ryan Graham was 15-of-24 passing for 190 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, and also ran for 78 yards. Joel Bouagnon ran for a career-high 156 yards and had two touchdowns.Freshman Graham leads Northern Illinois past Buffalo, 41-30 http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/gametracker/recap/NCAAF_20151111_NILL@BUFF/freshman-graham-leads-northern-illinois-past-buffalo-41-30 CBS Sports Associated Press November 11, 2015 November 12, 2015 Western Michigan Broncos 3 7 9 0 Huskies 7 7 0 13 2015 Western Michigan Broncos football team NIU had fallen behind after three quarters, but then running back Joel Bouagnon and wide receiver Kenny Golladay each scored a touchdown, and the Huskies beat the Broncos 27–19. Jordan Huff ran for 159 yards on eight carries, including an 87-yard touchdown.Northern Illinois 1 Win from 6th Straight MAC Title Game after 27-19 Win Jack McCarthy http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-niu-western-michigan-spt-1119-20151118-story.html Chicago Tribune November 18, 2015 November 20, 2015 Ohio Bobcats 7 13 0 6 Huskies 7 0 7 7 2015 Ohio Bobcats football team The Bobcats beat the Huskies, 26–21. After Ryan Graham was injured, freshman Tommy Fiedler took over as NIU quarterback, completing 9 of 17 throws for 113 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. The loss snapped the Huskies' 22-game winning streak of games played in November, and their 17-game winning streak of games against MAC East opponents.Northern Illinois Fails to Wrap Up MAC West with 26-21 Loss to Ohio Jack McCarthy http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-niu-ohio-mac-football-spt-1125-20151124-story.html Chicago Tribune November 24, 2015 November 25, 2015 The loss left NIU's title hopes in limbo, but when Toledo lost to Western Michigan three days later, the Huskies qualified for their sixth consecutive MAC Championship Game, and third straight against Bowling Green.Playing in MAC Championship Game Is Routine for Northern Illinois Jack McCarthy http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-northern-illinois-mac-championship-spt-1204-20151203-story.html Chicago Tribune December 3, 2015 December 4, 2015 Bowling Green–MAC Championship Game Falcons 7 14 7 6 Huskies 0 0 14 0 2015 Bowling Green Falcons football team 2015 MAC Championship Game In the Mid-American Conference Championship Game, the Falcons beat the Huskies 34–14. It was the teams' third consecutive meeting in the MAC title game. Bowling Green quarterback Matt Johnson completed 25 of 37 passes for 235 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions, finishing the season with 4,700 yards passing, a new MAC record. Falcons running back Travis Greene rushed for 183 yards on 29 carries. It was the first career start for NIU freshman quarterback Tommy Fiedler, who threw 12 of 28 for 152 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.Bowling Green Bolts to Four-Touchdown Lead to Top NIU 34-14 for MAC Title James Hawkins http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-northern-illinois-bowling-green-mac-championship-spt-1205-20151204-story.html Chicago Tribune December 5, 2015 December 5, 2015 Boise State–Poinsettia Bowl Broncos 21 10 10 14 Huskies 0 7 0 0 2015 Boise State Broncos football team 2015 Poinsettia Bowl According to the Chicago Tribune, "Two of the winningest programs in recent years will meet for the first time when Northern Illinois takes on Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl on Dec. 23 in San Diego.... Northern Illinois has won 65 games in the last six seasons. Only Alabama, Oregon, Florida State and Ohio State have won more. Boise State has 63 victories in that span."Northern Illinois Earns Poinsettia Bowl Date with Boise State Jack McCarthy http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-niu-bowl-football-spt-1207-20151206-story.html Chicago Tribune December 6, 2015 December 7, 2015 This was the eighth year in a row that the Huskies played in a bowl game.Northern Illinois Benefits in Name Recognition from 8th Straight Bowl Trip Jack McCarthy http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-northern-illinois-poinsettia-bowl-exposure-spt-1218-20151217-story.html Chicago Tribune December 17, 2015 December 18, 2015 Boise State beat Northern Illinois 55–7. The Broncos totaled 654 yards of offense, compared to 33 yards for the Huskies, whose touchdown came on a kickoff return. The Boise State win meant that this was the team's 14th straight senior class to win 40 or more games.Balanced Boise State Cruises By Northern Illinois in Poinsettia Bowl Kevin Gemmell https://www.espn.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/123176/balanced-boise-state-cruises-by-northern-illinois-in-poinsettia-bowl ESPN December 23, 2015 December 23, 2015 References Northern Illinois Category:Northern Illinois Huskies football seasons Northern Illinois Huskies football