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Former Northern Illinois University quarterback and current Mount Carmel High School head football coach Jordan Lynch was named as a member of the 2026 National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame class.

NIU’s first Mountain West slate is set, so here’s a quick look at every 2026 opponent — from first matchups to long‑distance trips and a few familiar faces. A new league means new storylines for the Huskies.

State championships. Easier access to state championships. State championships in DeKalb. Long winning streaks. Long losing streaks snapped. And long tenures in conferences ended. We look at the 10 biggest sports stories in the Daily Chronicle area this year.

NIU trailed by 20 in the second half but a putback by Taj Walters at the buzzer gave the Huskies a victory over Central Michigan in the MAC opener.

The Mountain West Conference announced its home and away opponents for the 2026 season, the first for NIU in the conference.

Ben Kleba scored 18 to lead Genoa-Kingston to win in Forreston opener, Sycamore picks up two more dual wins, NIU men falter later at Elon in Saturday's Daily Chronicle Roundup.

Notre Dame’s playoff tantrum may kill the G6’s seat at the table. So why beg for scraps? Let the Power 4 have their semi‑pro league—G6 should drop to FCS, build a 32‑team playoff, and swing bigger than NIU’s Mountain West move.

The Sycamore boys improved to 7-0 with a sweep at a home quad, a pair of Sycamore girls won their weight classes at a Sterling tournament, Marshawn Cocroft scored 26 for Kaneland in a win, NIU falls at Bradley and more in the roundup.

A foundational offensive line group. A defensive line that will mostly be here in January. A linebacker that can fill some big shoes. Here are five takeways from NIU's 2026 signing class.