Led by fifth-year head coach Rod Carey, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 8–5 with a mark of 6–2 in conference play, tying for second place in the MAC's West Division.

Following a quick three-and-out possession for the Huskies, the Eagles moved down the field and converted on a five-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left in the half.

The Huskies responded on a 13 play, 75-yard drive that ended with a Graham touchdown pass to Shane Wimann from seven yards out to narrow the lead to 20–10.

On fourth down, Christian Hagan attempted a 39-yard game-tying field goal that hit the cross bar and fell short with 21 seconds remaining.

The Huskie defense intercepted the Panthers on their next possession and scored on a Marcus Jones four-yard run to increase the lead to 14–3 early in the second quarter.

The Huskies added another touchdown, following another NIU interception, on another Marcus Jones run, this one from one yard out to take a 28–3 lead as the rout was on.

After each team punted on their next two possessions, Lee was intercepted again, this time by Jawuan Johnson who returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown and a 14–0 lead.

[9] In the second half, neither team was able to manage anything on their first two possessions, but Nebraska was finally able to put points on the board after forcing NIU returner Jalen Embry to fumble a punt which the Huskers recovered.

The Huskers went 63 yards on their next possession before Lee scored on a one-yard run as the Huskie dream story appeared to be over with Nebraska taking the lead 17–14.

Following yet another NIU punt, Josh Corcoran intercepted Lee yet again in Nebraska territory and the Huskies were able to run out the clock clinching the 21–17 win.

The Huskies became the first team not in a Power 5 conference or major independent to win in Lincoln since Southern Miss knocked off the Cornhuskers in 2004.

[11] In their second straight road game, NIU traveled to the West Coast to face the Aztecs in San Diego, California.

The game did not start well for the Huskies as the Aztecs returned the opening kick for a touchdown to put NIU in an early hole 7–0.

However, in the second quarter, Santacaterina would make a mistake throwing a pick-six to SDSU's Tariq Thompson which again gave the Aztecs the lead at 21–14.

The NIU offense could not garner another point as they turned the ball over on three of their last four possession (two interceptions and one turnover on downs) as the Huskies fell 34–28.

Shawun Lurry, Jawuan Johnson, and Bobby Jones IV intercepted passes in the game for the Huskies as they forced four Kent State turnovers.

However, the ensuing NIU punt was blocked into the end zone and recovered by EMU to give the Eagles a 14–7 lead at the half.

In the second half, NIU's offense drove deep into EMU territory, but was forced to settle for a Christian Hagan 25-yard field goal to narrow the lead to 14–10.

Trailing by 14, to the two-win Eagles, NIU's Marcus Childers hit Shane Wimann for a five-yard touchdown pass to close the lead to seven.

Following a blocked punt deep in Toledo territory, the Huskie offense could not score and was forced to settled for a 25-yard field goal from Christian Hagan to narrow the lead to 24–17.

In the battle for the Bronze Stalk Trophy, the Cardinals of Ball State visited the Huskies in NIU's third straight Thursday night game.

QB Marcus Childers threw three touchdown passes in the first half and would add another in the third quarter as NIU's lead grew to 49–14.

[20]On Senior Day at Huskie Stadium, NIU welcomed defending MAC champion Western Michigan to DeKalb.

NIU forced the Broncos to punt on their next possession and with a little over five minutes left in the game successfully ran out the clock to secure the win.

Things started well for the Huskies as Shane Morris intercepted CMU's Tyler Conklin on the third play of the game and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown and a 7–0 lead.

With just over three minutes remaining in the game, NIU notched the tie with a 12-yard touchdown run by Tre Harbison, marking the first points of the half for the Huskies.

However, the Chippewas immediately answered, driving 75 yards on five plays and scoring on a 29-yard touchdown pass with 1:32 left to retake the lead.

NIU, with a chance to tie, quickly moved the ball down the field with time running out, but Marcus Childers was intercepted at the CMU goalline with 1:10 remaining.

Northern Illinois was invited to the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan where they faced Duke for the first time in school history on December 26, 2017.

NIU was held scoreless in the second half as Duke added a field goal and another touchdown to give the Blue Devils a 36–14 win.