http://www.yardbarker.com/colleges/northern_illinois_huskies/285 Recent articles about Northern Illinois Huskies en-us The San Francisco 49ers have signed undrafted free agent Jason Schepler to a three-year deal, the team announced on Tuesday.   The former Northern Illinois fullback/tight end Schelpler had been invited to the 49ers’ rookie minicamp over the weekend and was able to turn that opportunity into an NFL contract for himself. The 23-year-old Schepler is the 90th man join the 49ers’ offseason roster. According to NFL rules, each team is allowed a maximum of 90 players on their roster heading into training camp. The 49ers could still make changes if they still desire to add a player by releasing someone else signed earlier onto the roster.   Schepler was a key blocker for the Huskies, starting 26 of 49 games at Northern Illinois. The 6-foot-2, 274-pound Schepler finished his collegiate career with 14 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns.   As a senior, Schepler caught three passes for 65 yards helping the Huskies earn a berth in the Orange Bowl and earning second-team Academic A... Wed, 15 May 2013 09:41:00 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/49ers_sign_udfa_jason_schepler_to_3_year_deal/13621706 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/49ers_sign_udfa_jason_schepler_to_3_year_deal/13621706 49ers sign UDFA Jason Schepler to 3-year deal http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/49ers_sign_udfa_jason_schepler_to_3_year_deal/13621706 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The San Francisco 49ers have signed undrafted fullback Jason Schepler to a three-year contract. The team announced the move Tuesday. An accomplished run blocker, Schepler played in 49 games with 26 starts and was a team captain for Northern Illinois. He finished with 14 receptions for 177 yards and two touchdowns, including three catches for 65 yards and one TD as a senior on the way to an Orange Bowl berth. He helped the Huskies to a No. 12 NCAA ranking for yards rushing in 2012 at 238.2 yards per game. The 23-year-old Schepler used a medical redshirt year in 2011 after catching a career-high eight passes for 93 yards the previous season. Tue, 14 May 2013 18:54:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/49ers_sign_fullback_schepler_to_three_year_deal/13618136 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/49ers_sign_fullback_schepler_to_three_year_deal/13618136 49ers sign fullback Schepler to three-year deal http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/49ers_sign_fullback_schepler_to_three_year_deal/13618136 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Draft Zone Spotlight: Sean Progar, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois University Sean Progar is one of the best DE/OLB’s in the 2013 NFL Draft.  He has great moves, is very powerful and understands the position.  Progar was amazing this year as he was named to the 2012 All-MAC First Team, which he has carried the ALL-American label for the past three years.  As a redshirt freshman, ranked second on the team in quarterback sacks with 6, and TFL with 8. Totaled 30 tackles on the season. He has been named  NIU Defensive POY three times by his coaching staff. Sean Is the heart and soul of the NIU defense and it shows in his play. How many teams were recruiting you coming out of high school and how did you make your decision? Around 8 or so.  I felt immediately comfortable with both the players and coaches, along with the opportunity for a lot of playing time and the chance to earn a starting spot quickly. I also wanted to be close to my family. Has it always been your dream to be an NFL foot... Tue, 05 Mar 2013 08:39:12 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/draft_zone_spotlight_sean_progar_deolb_northern_illinois_university/13055398 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/draft_zone_spotlight_sean_progar_deolb_northern_illinois_university/13055398 Draft Zone Spotlight: Sean Progar, DE/OLB, Northern Illinois University http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/draft_zone_spotlight_sean_progar_deolb_northern_illinois_university/13055398 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Everyone likes setting records, right? Right??? Wrong. Northern Illinois is taking zero delight in the record they set today against Eastern Michigan. The Huskies attempted 31 shots and made only one basket on their way to scoring 4 points in the first half. That’s set an NCAA record for fewest points scored in the shot-clock era. Does that look bad to you? Let’s make it worse. They were 0-19 from beyond the arc, and went 30 straight field goals without a basket. The bright side? They were only down 14 points at halftime. So before EMU pats themselves on the back for great defense, let’s admit that this may have been the ugliest half of basketball , ever. It is difficult to imagine, but NIU went 24 minutes and 33 seconds without making a field goal. They caught fire in the 2nd half, as they managed to score 21 points, and actually drain one of fourteen from three. The team finished 8-61 from the field, led by Daveon Balls’ 7 points on 3-10 shooting including the lone three pointer. ... Sat, 26 Jan 2013 16:46:36 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/northern_illinois_scored_4_points_in_one_half_to_set_an_ncaa_record_for_futility/12761125 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/article_external/northern_illinois_scored_4_points_in_one_half_to_set_an_ncaa_record_for_futility/12761125 NIU scores 4 points in one half http://www.yardbarker.com/college_basketball/articles/northern_illinois_scored_4_points_in_one_half_to_set_an_ncaa_record_for_futility/12761125 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/1/317c08064c29b7f10c655985e514f9e1f3d2fb25/mini/NIU.jpg Jordan Lynch, the quarterback of the Northern Illinois Huskies, doesn’t think very highly of FSU’s defense. His series of quotes are rather priceless where he ripped on the the Florida State defense pretty hard. Jordan Lynch on FSU’s defense: “They’re fast. They’re physical. But they haven’t seen anything like our offense.” — Steve Greenberg (@SN_Greenberg) December 27, 2012 Jordan Lynch on FSU’s defense: “We plan on wearing them down. In the fourth quarter, we plan to have them on their knees.” — Steve Greenberg (@SN_Greenberg) December 27, 2012 Jordan Lynch on FSU: “They’re just like us. … If you cut them, they bleed.” — Steve Greenberg (@SN_Greenberg) December 27, 2012 Their head coach also jumped in! And NIU coach Rod Carey on FSU’s supposed speed edge: “Our 11 vs. their 11, we feel like we’ve got good team speed. … We’ll be fine.” — Steve Greenberg (@SN_Greenberg) December 27, 2012 Excuse me guys. I’ll be over here with my popcorn and watch this pla Thu, 27 Dec 2012 14:56:08 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northern_illinois_quarterback_thinks_fsus_defense_is_weak/12520585 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/northern_illinois_quarterback_thinks_fsus_defense_is_weak/12520585 Northern Illinois’ quarterback thinks FSU’s defense is weak http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/northern_illinois_quarterback_thinks_fsus_defense_is_weak/12520585 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The kid had talent and his high school coach knew it. And it helped that Frank Lenti has a resume that now includes 10 state football titles in Illinois. So when Lenti talked to then Northern Illinois coach Jerry Kill about the Mount Carmel quarterback, it wasnt a struggle for Lenti to sell Jordan Lynch. When he asked me about him, I said, 'Coach, I can promise you one thing: No one in your program will ever outwork Jordan Lynch, Lenti told Kill. When he steps out on the field, the leadership level rises dramatically. Lynch, a redshirt junior, has led Northern Illinois to 12 straight wins after a season-opening loss to Iowa. And he has been a dynamic player on offense, leading the nation in total yards (4,733) and rushing yards (1,711). His single-season rushing total is the most by a quarterback in Football Bowl Subdivision history surpassing Michigans Denard Robinson, who had 1,702 yards in 2010. In the year of the dual-threat quarterback, where Texas A&Ms Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy and K Wed, 26 Dec 2012 10:44:23 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/jordan_lynch_dynamic_in_first_year_as_starter/12511912 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/jordan_lynch_dynamic_in_first_year_as_starter/12511912 Jordan Lynch dynamic in first year as starter http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/jordan_lynch_dynamic_in_first_year_as_starter/12511912 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png This amazingly awesome picture comes from a DeKalb, Illinois gas station near the Northern Illinois University campus according to tweeter @Jimmy_Riley.  Seems the good people of DeKalb aren't taking too kindly to Kirk Herbstreit and others in Bristol bashing the Husky football program for having the audacity to qualify for a BCS bowl game.  Herbstreit's comments in particular have created quite the firestorm with NIU alums and former NFL players feeling the need to speak out and defend the school.  "Suck our oranges ESPN" seems to be a great rallying cry for the community.  Good for all the folks standing up for NIU and the MAC today.  The Huskies will have plenty of new fans when they play in the Orange Bowl. Let's just say it's going to be awkward the next time Herbie and College GameDay visits DeKalb.  Ah, who are we kidding, like that's ever going to happen! Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:37:46 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/suck_our_oranges_espn_go_huskies_the_niu_community_hits_back/12358549 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/suck_our_oranges_espn_go_huskies_the_niu_community_hits_back/12358549 "Suck Our Oranges ESPN, Go Huskies!" The NIU community hits back http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/suck_our_oranges_espn_go_huskies_the_niu_community_hits_back/12358549 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png ESPN’s college football analysts used their platform during Sunday evening’s BCS Selection Show to let America know that they were none too happy about Northern Illinois, a one-loss MAC team, playing in the Orange Bowl. The normally reasonable Kirk Herbstreit said, “The fact that Northern Illinois is in the BCS in 2012 is really a sad state for college football and where we are with the current system.” The NIU Huskies clinched a BCS bowl bid by finishing in the top 16 in the final BCS standings (they are #15) and ahead of at least one conference champion from an automatic-qualifying conference. Herbstreit looked at this year’s BCS bowl match-ups and decided to go all VCU on NIU. Curiously, he wasn’t upset about the inclusion unranked Wisconsin—a 5-loss team that finished third in its division and with the sixth best record in its conference…but played for (and won) the Big Ten championship because the top two teams in its division (Ohio State and Penn State) were ineligible. He al... Tue, 04 Dec 2012 10:10:48 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/image_this_dekalb_illinois_gas_station_has_a_funny_response_to_espns_northern_illinois_hate/12358315 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/image_this_dekalb_illinois_gas_station_has_a_funny_response_to_espns_northern_illinois_hate/12358315 Gas station issues retort to No. Illinois haters http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/image_this_dekalb_illinois_gas_station_has_a_funny_response_to_espns_northern_illinois_hate/12358315 http://www.yardbarker.com/media/3/d/3dacc954c13c41936e9dc4b03de5ae2c3942652d/mini/gas-station.jpg You have to love scenes like this! Check out the pure joy which overcomes the NIU football team as they react to its BCS Orange Bowl berth. The Northern Illinois Huskies Huskies were watching live together the BCS announcements and when they were officially entered as the 15th team in the BCS standings they went wild knowing that they had won their bid to get into a BCS bowl. That’s fun. Kirk Herbstreit and doubters aside, the team went 12-1 and have absolutely earned their spot playing in the Orange Bowl against Florida State. [Dr. Saturday] Article found on: Cosby Sweaters Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:32:42 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/northern_illinois_players_react_to_finding_out_they_are_in_the_bcs/12353095 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/northern_illinois_players_react_to_finding_out_they_are_in_the_bcs/12353095 Northern Illinois’ Players React To Finding Out They Are In The BCS http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/northern_illinois_players_react_to_finding_out_they_are_in_the_bcs/12353095 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Northern Illinois went 12-1 this season. The Huskies won the Mid-American Conference. They deserve to go to a bowl game. Just not a Bowl Championship Series game. The truth is that many of us college football nuts love watching MAC games. They are fun, they are high-scoring and they are unpredictable. MACtion has taken on a life of its own, especially on Twitter. And the games provide great drama on a Tuesday night. Northern Illinois, the MACs best in 2012, finished 15th in the BCS standings on Sunday. And that made the little school from a non-automatic-qualifying conference an automatic BCS team. The Huskies are going to a BCS bowl instead of a program like Oklahoma, which went 10-2, losing to Notre Dame (No. 1 in the BCS standings) and Kansas State (No. 5). Or a 10-2 Clemson team, that lost to South Carolina (No. 10) and Florida State (No. 12). This isnt a Boise State, a program that blew the doors off teams in the regular season and knocked off TCU (in 2010) and Oklahoma (in 2007) in the Fiesta Bowl. Both Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:34:18 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/few_believe_northern_illinois_worthy_of_orange/12352837 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/few_believe_northern_illinois_worthy_of_orange/12352837 Few believe Northern Illinois worthy of Orange http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/few_believe_northern_illinois_worthy_of_orange/12352837 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Northern Illinois Huskies qualified for the Orange Bowl officially last night. They get their shot to play David to Florida State’s Goliath when the two teams match up in Miami January 1st at 7:30 cst. The Mid-American Conference champion Huskies (12-1) earned their first BCS spot by finishing 15th in the BCS standings, being the The post Video: Northern Illinois Huskies Orange Bowl Reaction appeared first on No Coast Bias. Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:59:29 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/video_northern_illinois_huskies_orange_bowl_reaction/12351457 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/video_northern_illinois_huskies_orange_bowl_reaction/12351457 Video: Northern Illinois Huskies Orange Bowl Reaction http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/video_northern_illinois_huskies_orange_bowl_reaction/12351457 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Northern Illinois junior quarterback Jordan Lynch has been named the Mid-American Conference's player of the year. Lynch rushed for 16 touchdowns and threw 23 TD passes while leading the No. 18 Huskies to an 8-0 league record. He has amassed 4,361 yards of total offense. Earlier this month against Toledo, he became the first player in FBS history to pass for more than 400 yards and run for more than 150. He holds the NCAA record with nine consecutive 100-yard rushing games. Kent State coach Darrell Hazell was named the MAC's top coach after leading the No. 18 Golden Flashes to their best season in school history. Kent State is ranked in the AP poll for the first time since 1973 and headed to a bowl for the first time since 1972. In other awards, Bowling Green defensive tackle Chris Jones was named the MAC's top defensive, player, Kent State kick returner Dri Archer is the top special teams player and Western Michigan wide receiver Jaime Wilson is the top freshman. Wed, 28 Nov 2012 11:51:54 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/nius_jordan_lynch_named_macs_top_player/12313252 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/nius_jordan_lynch_named_macs_top_player/12313252 NIU's Jordan Lynch named MAC's top player http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/nius_jordan_lynch_named_macs_top_player/12313252 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Northern Illinois University, currently a strong Mid-American Conference member, once dreamed big during a past era of conference realignment. After being independent upon their departure from the MAC, they decided to join the Big West in 1993. Why in the world would NIU do that? Because they seriously thought of it as a stepping stone to the Big 8 Conference. From the '93 Chicago Tribune article: Geography aside, all parties at Northern see the Big West arrangement as temporary, a step in a process that will end in Northern Illinois being the easternmost stop in a Midwestern league. Specifically, the Big Eight. Nebraska and Northern Illinois playing for a trip to the Orange Bowl? Snicker if you will. So what if the required jump rivals anything achieved by Superman. At Northern Illinois, with its enrollment of 25,000 students, university President John E. La Tourette gets paid to dream such dreams. "This institution always had high aspirations," La Tourette said. &quo... Wed, 16 May 2012 13:31:08 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/conference_realignment_look_back_when_northern_illinois_thought_they_were_getting_to_the_big_8/10805669 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/conference_realignment_look_back_when_northern_illinois_thought_they_were_getting_to_the_big_8/10805669 Conference Realignment Look Back: When Northern Illinois Thought They Were Getting to the Big 8 http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/conference_realignment_look_back_when_northern_illinois_thought_they_were_getting_to_the_big_8/10805669 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png