The Huskies compete in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as a member of the West Division, where they have won six championships in 1983, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2021.

[7] NIU's football program was established in the late 19th century, playing its first ever game against DeKalb High School in 1899 and was led by coach John L. Keith to the team's first ever victory.

NIU returned to the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in 1928 and finished the season winless for the first time.

In 1929 however, Chick Evans took over as the head football coach and immediately twisted the downhill fate of his team as he led his squad to a 6–1–1 record.

Evans led the Huskies to continuous winning seasons since his take over, and his efforts paid off in 1938 as NIU captured the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship, the team's first title.

The team's third bowl game appearance in 1962, although a loss, was only the beginning of good things to come as in the following season, the Huskies completed their sixth undefeated season which earned them the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship, an AP College Division National championship selection, and a ticket to the prestigious Mineral Water Bowl which the team eventually won over Missouri State.

On October 17, 1998, the Huskies broke their epic losing streak, by defeating Central Michigan University 17–6.

Optimism was high to start the 2003 season,[citation needed] with 12 returning starters including prospect and future NFL players Michael Turner, Doug Free, Brad Cieslak, P. J. Fleck, Dan Sheldon, Keith Perry, Vinson Reynolds, Akil Grant, Randee Drew, and Travis Moore.

The Huskies fell behind early, 14–0, to a Troy team that featured DeMarcus Ware, but were able to rally behind future NFL running back Garrett Wolfe and the accurate passing of Josh Haldi to win, 34–21.

Novak's final year was a tough one, winning only 2 games and finishing at the bottom of the MAC West.

Kill led the Huskies to three straight bowl appearances in his three years as head coach, all three with quarterback Chandler Harnish.

On December 5, 2010, the day after NIU's loss in the MAC Championship, Kill tendered his immediate resignation and accepted the position of head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers.

The Huskies went 11–3 in his first season and they won their first MAC Championship since 1983 in a 23–20 comeback win against Ohio, while also defeating the Arkansas State Red Wolves in a come-from-behind game in the 2012 GoDaddy.com Bowl.

The 1751 rushing yards were the most ever by a quarterback in the FBS at the time, surpassing a record set in 2011 by Denard Robinson of the University of Michigan.

[10] The day after the MAC Championship game, Doeren was hired as the new head coach for North Carolina State University.

[11] Rod Carey took over and coached the Huskies in the Orange Bowl, but NIU eventually lost 31–10 to the Seminoles.

In front of two sellout crowds, the Huskies increased their NCAA record home win streak to 26 games.

[16] In 2014, the Huskies had another strong season despite the departure of Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch and NFL draft picks Jimmie Ward and Ken Bishop.

[20][21] Cornerback Shuwan Lurry was selected as a 1st team All-American by several outlets, after finishing the season with an FBS leading nine interceptions.

[24] On September 16, 2017 the Huskies defeated Nebraska 21-17, giving them a 6-4 record in their last 10 games against Big Ten opponents, 4-1 in their last 5.

[26] Defensive lineman Sutton Smith set a Huskie record for sacks (14), and led the nation in tackles for loss (29.5) and quarterback pressures (87).

[29] Sutton Smith had another strong season, once again leading the nation in tackles for loss (27) and finishing third in sacks (15).

[36] NIU opened the year as an 18 point underdog to Georgia Tech, but defeated the Yellow Jackets 22-21.

[38] After their win in the MAC championship, NIU was selected to play in the Cure Bowl against Coastal Carolina, a game they lost 47-41.

During the 2024-2025 season, Hammock's sixth year, NIU beat the University of Notre Dame during the Fighting Irish's home opener in South Bend, 16-14, with two interceptions and two blocked kicks.

[39][40] NIU finished their season with a double overtime victory over Fresno State in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.

[42]: 152 † Inducted as a coach Finishes for Northern Illinois players: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_major_college_football_yearly_rushing_leaders Announced schedules as of August 11, 2024.