NIU opens with 2 home games; up first is Buffalo Nov. 4
The NIU football team will open its season against Buffalo Nov. 4, the first of three straight Wednesday games to start the abbreviated six-game regular season.
The Huskies host Central Michigan Nov. 11.
"We open with Buffalo, one of the best teams in the MAC with a great running back and they're going to have our undivided attention," second-year head coach Thomas Hammock said.
The final Wednesday game of the year is Nov. 18 at Ball State, then games shift to Saturday on Nov. 28 when NIU travels to Western Michigan. The Huskies close out their home slate with Toledo Dec. 5. A trip to Eastern Michigan Dec. 12 closes the regular season.
NIU and Buffalo last played in 2018, with the Huskies coming back from down 29-10 in the third quarter for a 30-29 win in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game.
This year's MAC title game is Dec. 18 in Detroit.
"As coaches, we like to plan months ahead, so it feels great to know who you're preparing for," Hammock said. "We know the outline, the layout and when we'll have a longer week as opposed to a shorter week. We're excited about the schedule. It's very fair, very challenging and very competitive."
The Huskies were 5-7 last year and 4-4 in the MAC.
Fans inside Huskie Stadium will be limited to immediate family of student-athletes.