Mike Helfgot

Saturday’s matchup, prediction: Northern Illinois at San Diego State

May 31, 2019 at 9:24 p.m.

TV/radio: 9:30 p.m. Saturday, CBSSN, WIND-AM 560. Line: San Diego State by 11. Records: Northern Illinois 2-1; San Diego State 4-0. Last meeting: On his way to breaking Ron Dayne's...

Bastian Schweinsteiger takes a picture with a fan outside the Wrigley Building on April 19, 2017 during his portrait session with the Tribune.

Calf injury could keep Bastian Schweinsteiger out of 3rd straight Fire game

May 31, 2019 at 9:31 p.m.

The Fire have had few constants in their lineup this season even as they are on the verge of their first playoff appearance since 2012. Change has been one. The...

Northern Illinois running back Jordan Huff (23) is pushed out of bounds by Nebraska linebacker Mohamed Barry, right, during the first half.

Young Northern Illinois defense well-built to take down the big guys

May 31, 2019 at 9:30 p.m.

Kevin Kane got home from Nebraska on Saturday in time to eat dinner and enjoy a glass of wine. As far as basking in the glow of his defense's tremendous...

Fire head coach Veljko Paunovic stands with his team before a match against Toronto FC on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at Toyota Park.

Fire looking good to qualify for playoffs after 3-0 win against D.C. United

May 31, 2019 at 9:24 p.m.

The scoring chances came in rapid succession, one better than the next, but D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid denied the Fire each time. Then came the redirect off Ian Harkes'...

Commissioner Jim Delany thought his Friday night lights plan would be a hit. Nope. New Indiana coach Tom Allen spoke for many when he called Friday "high school night." Eyeball-seeking Illinois will play twice on Fridays, but Northwestern got two Friday games moved to Saturday. Penn State and Michigan also appear to have no interest.

Daniel Santacaterina shines in NIU’s 38-10 rout of Eastern Illinois

June 2, 2018 at 6:47 p.m.

They call him "Santa," but his performance only made it feel like Christmas. To be fair, Daniel Santacaterina couldn't have done much more with the opportunity he was given than...

NIU quarterback Ryan Graham throws a pass against Boston College in the fourth quarter on Sept. 1, 2017, in DeKalb. Boston College won 23-20.

Saturday’s matchup, prediction: Eastern Illinois at Northern Illinois

June 2, 2018 at 6:57 p.m.

Internet/radio: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, ESPN3.com, WIND-AM 560. Line: None. Records: NIU 0-1; EIU 1-0 Last meeting: A shootout between eventual Heisman Trophy finalist Jordan Lynch and current Patriots backup Jimmy...

Northern Illinois QB Ryan Graham throws a pass against Boston College on Sept. 1, 2017.

Northern Illinois QB Ryan Graham likely out 2-4 weeks with elbow injury

June 2, 2018 at 7:19 p.m.

Northern Illinois quarterback Ryan Graham has a sprained right elbow and will not play Saturday against Eastern Illinois at Huskie Stadium, coach Rod Carey said Friday. Daniel Santacaterina, who battled...

Ryan Graham, NIU show promise, room for improvement in opening loss to Boston College

June 2, 2018 at 9:06 p.m.

Ryan Graham won the job before he knew it. Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey saw evidence of the improvement Graham was making while competing with Daniel Santacaterina for the starting...

Boston College quarterback Anthony Brown pitches the ball to Jon Hilliman during the game Friday, Sep. 1, 2017, in DeKalb.

NIU rallies but comes up short in 23-20 loss to Boston College in opener

June 2, 2018 at 9:52 p.m.

The good NIU teams figured out ways to win these games. From 2009-14, the Huskies recorded six victories over Power 5 conference teams, five coming on the road. Presented with...

The only man who loves saying "football" more than Jim Harbaugh is Jerry Jones, the unofficial host of this Big Ten-SEC clash at AT&T Stadium. The key question: Will Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire be under center for the Gators?

Friday’s preview: Boston College at Northern Illinois

June 2, 2018 at 9:44 p.m.

TV/radio: 8:30 p.m. Friday, CBSSN, WIND-AM 560. Line: Boston College by 3.5. 2016 records: NIU 5-7, Boston College 7-6 Last meeting: Boston College won 17-14 on Sept. 26, 2015.. Keys...

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