NIU’s final season in the Mid-American Conference and quest for a third straight bowl win kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday against Holy Cross at Huskie Stadium.

The Huskies were 8-5 last year and won the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against Fresno State. Quarterback Josh Holst was the game’s MVP filling in for an injured Ethan Hampton and now takes over as the starter after Hampton transferred to Illinois.

The team lost 21 starters and only returns five players who started at least six games. They also have new offensive and defensive coordinators.

Here are three things to know heading into the game against the Crusaders, who went 6-6 in 2024.

Remembering SIU

Thomas Hammock, entering his seventh season as NIU head coach, said during camp he showed his players 40 clips from a 2023 game against

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