Northern Illinois earned its first win of the 2026 season by holding off Dayton in a closely contested matchup on Saturday. The Huskies entered the game winless but managed to secure the victory after a competitive battle that remained in doubt until the final moments.
The win provides a much-needed confidence boost for Northern Illinois, which had struggled through the early portion of its schedule. Dayton pushed the Huskies throughout the contest, but Northern Illinois made the critical plays down the stretch to preserve the result.
Drew Gentile reported on the game for SB Nation, noting the significance of the breakthrough victory for the Northern Illinois program as it looks to build momentum heading into the remainder of the season.
