A NIU derrotou a WIU 54-15 na abertura da temporada, com Ethan Hampton lançando 5 touchdowns. NIU defeated WIU 54-15 in their season opener, with Ethan Hampton throwing 5 touchdowns.

O norte de Illinois (NIU) triunfou sobre o oeste de Illinois (WIU) em sua abertura de temporada, vencendo 54-15. Northern Illinois (NIU) triumphed over Western Illinois (WIU) in their season opener, winning 54-15. O quarterback Ethan Hampton jogou quatro passes de touchdown no primeiro tempo e totalizou cinco para o jogo, enquanto a equipe acumulou 706 jardas ofensivas. Quarterback Ethan Hampton threw four first-half touchdown passes and totaled five for the game, while the team amassed 706 offensive yards. Em contraste, a ofensiva da WIU teve dificuldades, com o quarterback Nathan Lamp gerenciando 204 jardas de passe e a equipe ganhando apenas 94 jardas de corrida. In contrast, WIU's offense struggled, with quarterback Nathan Lamp managing 204 passing yards and the team only gaining 94 rushing yards. A NIU enfrentará Notre Dame na próxima semana. NIU will face Notre Dame next week.