DEKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois University Athletics will retire the jersey of 2013 Heisman Trophy Finalist and 2026 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Inductee Jordan Lynch this Saturday, Oct. 24, when the Huskies host Hawai'i. Lynch becomes the fifth player in NIU Football history to have his jersey retired, joining George Bork (1960-63), Bob Heimerdinger (1948-51), Mark Kellar (1971-73) and Dave Petzke (1977-78). 

"There is no question that Jordan Lynch is one of the finest football players to ever wear a Huskie uniform," said NIU Vice President and Director of Athletics and Recreation Sean T. Frazier. "His list of accomplishments speak for themselves, from Heisman Trophy finalist, to College Football Hall of Famer and all of the numerous NIU and NCAA records he set. Jordan thrilled all of Huskie Nation with his talent, his toughness and his will to win, and we are honored for him to become just the fifth player in program history to have his jersey retired."

One of the most dynamic dual threat quarterbacks in college football history, Lynch led NIU to a 24-4 record as a starter from 2012-13, including a Mid-American Conference Championship and a historic appearance in the Orange Bowl to cap his junior season in 2012. 

During that magical Orange Bowl season, Lynch ranked second in the nation in total offense with 4,953 yards and became the first FBS player ever to pass for more than 3,000 yards and rush for more than 1,500 in a single season. 

He earned All-America honors in 2012 from both the Associated Press and Phil Steele and rushed for 100 yards in 12 games, setting an FBS record by a quarterback, while also finishing seventh in the voting for the Heisman Trophy. Lynch led the Huskies to the MAC Championship with a 44-37 double overtime victory against No. 16 Kent State in the title game, where he totaled 372 yards and four touchdowns, including rushing for 160 yards and three scores, propelling NIU into the Orange Bowl, the first-ever BCS berth for a team from the MAC. 

As a senior in 2013, Lynch threw for 2,892 yards with 24 passing touchdowns and added 1,920 rushing yards with 23 touchdowns to earn a trip to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist. He finished in third place, the highest finish ever by a player from the MAC. Additionally, Lynch was a finalist for the Walter Camp Player of the Year, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Manning Quarterback Award. 

Lynch's 1,920 rushing yards in 2013 set an NCAA quarterback rushing record, breaking the mark he had set the previous season when he finished with 1,815 yards. His 321 rushing yards versus Western Michigan (Nov. 26) set the NCAA record for most rushing yards in a game by an FBS quarterback – once again breaking the record he had set a month prior when he ran for 316 yards against Central Michigan. 

Along with finishing third in the Heisman voting, Lynch was named a first team All-American as an all-purpose player by the Associated Press, Lindy's and Phil Steele, and won the MAC's Vern Smith Leadership Award, presented to the league MVP, for the second time. He twice was named the MAC Offensive Player of the Year and was a two-time, first team All-MAC quarterback. 

Lynch ranks fourth all-time in school history in both passing yards and touchdowns as well as third in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. In total, Lynch walked away from NIU with three single game, 16 single season and six career records and tallied 100 career touchdowns. He recorded at least one touchdown in all 28 games as a starter and had 19 multi-touchdown games in that time period.

After leaving NIU, Lynch played two seasons for the Edmonton Eskimos in the Canadian Football League, helping the team to a Grey Cup win in 2015. He returned to NIU as an assistant coach in 2017 before taking over as head coach at Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago, where he has led the Caravan to five state championships. 

Tickets for Saturday's game are available now at NIUHuskies.com/tickets, by calling (815) 753-PACK or by visiting the NIU Convocation Center Box Office during regular business hours. Tickets start at just $35 for east side general admission tickets. West side general admission seats are $40 while west side reserved seating will begin at $42. All ticket prices will increase by $5 on game day. In addition, the Huskie Stadium Box Office will be cashless on game day, and fans will be unable to select specific locations when purchasing at the box office on the day of game.