| Year: | 2023 |
| Team: | Northern Illinois Huskies |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Mid-American Conference |
| Division: | West Division |
| Short Conf: | MAC |
| Record: | 7–6 |
| Conf Record: | 5–3 |
| Head Coach: | Thomas Hammock |
| Hc Year: | 5th |
| Off Coach: | Eric Eidsness |
| Oc Year: | 5th |
| Def Coach: | Derrick Jackson |
| Dc Year: | 5th |
| Champion: | Camellia Bowl champion |
| Bowl: | Camellia Bowl |
| Bowl Result: | W 21–19 vs. Arkansas State |
| Stadium: | Huskie Stadium |
The 2023 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Huskies are led by fifth-year head coach Thomas Hammock and played their home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.[1] [2] They finished the regular season 6–6 and 5–3 in conference play[3] They played Arkansas State in the Camellia Bowl, who they beat 21–19.[4]
On July 20, the MAC announced the preseason coaches poll. Northern Illinois was picked to finish third in the West.[5]
| East | |||
| 1 | Ohio | 63 (9) | |
| 2 | Miami | 52 (2) | |
| 3 | Buffalo | 51 (1) | |
| 4 | Bowling Green | 35 | |
| 5 | Akron | 26 | |
| 6 | Kent State | 19 | |
| West | |||
| 1 | Toledo | 66 (11) | |
| 2 | Eastern Michigan | 55 (1) | |
| 3 | Northern Illinois | 38 | |
| 4 | Central Michigan | 37 | |
| 5 | Ball State | 27 | |
| 6 | Western Michigan | 23 | |
| Coaches poll (MAC Championship) | |||
| 1 | Toledo | 7 | |
| 2 | Ohio | 4 | |
| 3 | Buffalo | 1 | |
See also: 2023 Boston College Eagles football team.
See also: 2023 Southern Illinois Salukis football team.
See also: 2023 Nebraska Cornhuskers football team.
See also: 2023 Tulsa Golden Hurricane football team.
See also: 2023 Ohio Bobcats football team.
| Statistics | Ohio | Northern Illinois |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 16 | 13 |
| Total yards | 254 | 302 |
| Rushes/yards | 159 | 172 |
| Passing yards | 159 | 172 |
| Passing: Comp–Att–Int | 22–36–3 | 15–23–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:15 | 31:45 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | Passing | 23/36, 159 yards, 3 INT | |
| Rushing | O'Shaan Allison | 11 rushes, 43 yards | |
| Receiving | 4 receptions, 37 yards | ||
| Northern Illinois | Passing | 15/23, 172 yards, 1 TD | |
| Rushing | Gavin Williams | 10 rushes, 55 yards, 1 TD | |
| Receiving | Grayson Barnes | 2 receptions, 66 yards, 1 TD |