The team competed in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) and were members of the Colonial Athletic Association.

Northeastern participated in football from 1933 to 2009, compiling an all-time record of 289–366–17.

[2] Citing sparse attendance, numerous losing seasons and the expense to renovate Parsons Field (its football stadium in neighboring Brookline) to an acceptable standard, the university Board of Trustees voted on November 20, 2009, to end the football program.

According to president Joseph E. Aoun, "Leadership requires that we make these choices.

[3] Among the notable players for Northeastern were: According to the 2019 book, The Playing Grounds of College Football, Northeastern's football program held the following conference affiliations:[4] Note – no teams were fielded in the 1943, 1944, or 1945 seasons due to World War II.