Nov. 20, 2008

Get Your Tickets Now!

DeKALB - The Northern Illinois football team will Battle for a Bowl in its biggest game of the year, when the Huskies face Navy, Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. in Huskie Stadium.

With a win Tuesday, Northern Illinois would improve to 7-5 on the season, and be in prime position to receive an invitation to one of college football's 34 bowls.

The most important game of the season is also "Student Night," and features huge giveaways and discounts for fans.

Like all Huskie football games, NIU students get in to Tuesday's game for free, but for "Student Night," pupils of all ages can get into the game for just one dollar. In addition, through a random drawing, three lucky Northern Illinois students will win free books for a semester, and one grand prize winner will get a free XM Satellite Radio and a $500 Certificate of Deposit from GMAC.

"Our fans, and especially our students, have been great all year long," Kill said. "Our sideline is on the east side, so I know that the students with their enthusiasm have a great effect on our team. We need all of them to come out on Tuesday, make a lot of noise, and support this team in our final home game."

The one dollar student tickets will be available at the Huskie Stadium box office. Fans can also get the tickets, and all other tickets, in advance by calling the NIU ticket office at (815) 752-6800, or visiting the "Tickets" section of NIUHuskies.com.

On top of the "Student Night" festivities, Northern Illinois will honor 20 seniors who will play their final home game in a Huskie uniform on Tuesday. The 20-man class is the largest senior group at NIU in 15 years, since the 1993 senior day honored 23 players. This year, 10 offensive players, nine defenders and punter Andy Dittbenner will be introduced with their parents and/or relatives prior to kickoff.

Kill said, regardless of whether NIU makes a bowl game, Tuesday's match-up holds a special significance.

"In a lot of ways, this is a bowl game," Kill said. "When you have a chance to play a team the caliber of the U.S. Naval Academy in your own stadium, it's a tremendous opportunity. I have such respect for the young men in that program, and I just hope we have a great crowd to come out to honor their team, cheer on the Huskies, and celebrate our seniors."

Northern Illinois athletics will also be hosting a Toys for Tots drive at the game. Fans that donate a new, unwrapped toy will receive a free ticket to the Huskie women's basketball game, Nov. 29, against Milwaukee.

The game, originally scheduled to be shown on ESPN2, will now be televised on ESPN Classic, which is available in more than 60 million homes, and on ESPN360.com. Eric Collins will call the play-by-play, while Shaun King will serve as the color analyst. ESPN2 will now air the Ball State-Western Michigan game, as the No. 14 (AP) Cardinals attempt to complete an undefeated regular season.