NIU seeks Mallory trophy, first win over Miami (Ohio) since 2015 – Shaw Local

DeKALB – The Northern Illinois The football team travels to Oxford, Ohio, on Tuesday to face the Miami RedHawks, one of three Mid-American Conference teams entering the week with a 5-1 conference record.

The teams have four common rivals. Miami (6-4, 5-1 MAC) beat Ball State 27-21, Huskies (6-4, 3-3) Lost to Cardinals 25-23. Both teams lost to Toledo; Miami lost to the Rockets 30-20. NIU lost 13-6. NIU beat UMass 34-20Miami won 23-20 in overtime. Miami lost 28-3 at Notre Dame. NIU wins 16-14 in South Bendindiana

The teams will play for the Mallory Cup, named for the late Bill Mallory, who coached at both schools. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Here are some things you need to know about the game.

Huskies seek first Mallory Cup victory

The Huskies are 0-3 since the teams began playing for the Mallory Cup in 2018. Miami won 29-23 at DeKalb in 2022 when the teams last played.

“I haven’t seen or hosted the Mallory Cup, so this is going to be a big thing for this team,” defensive lineman Ray Thomas said. “I think we’ve got a guy holding the cup, maybe Demond Taylor. I think it’s going to be important to bring the cup back to DeKalb.”

NIU coach Thomas Hamak said the trophy is meaningful. Hamak’s coach at NIU, Joe Novak, coached Mallory at NIU from 1980-83, when he was a running back with the Huskies.

“I think this is very, very special for coach Mallory,” Hammock said. “We know what it means to both programs. … We have great respect for the family and everything they can do for college football.”

NIU last won against Miami 45-12 in Oxford in 2015.

Injuries don’t slow down the offensive line

For the second time this year, NIU starting right tackle Evan Buss missed a game last week. Huskies’ 29-16 victory over Akron last week. Redshirt freshman Thomas Paasch stepped in for the second time.

The Huskies gave up two sacks, averaging well over 1.2 per game; that’s best in the MAC and 24th in the nation.

“Tommy Paasch did a phenomenal job,” Hammock said. “Our line plays at a high level. The reason we are successful offensively is a direct reflection of the players up front.”

They also averaged 7.2 yards per carry against Akron despite Antario Brown missing the game. Hammock said Buss and Brown could return Tuesday.

“Obviously I think we did a great job. Next man mentality,” said left tackle Evan Malcore, who is paired with JJ Lippe. Logan Zschernitz and John Campe started every game on the court this year. “That’s what we need to continue to do throughout this season. I think we did a great job.”

Third down conversion key for Huskies

Hammock said for the Huskies to have success offensively, they need to convert about 45% of their third-point opportunities.

They were 2 for 12 against Akron, which is a big reason why their 439 yards of total offense yielded just six points in the second half.

Despite last week’s rough performance, the Huskies remain second in the MAC standings with a 42.8% success rate and 49th in the nation.

“We stalled in some situations offensively,” Hammock said. “We haven’t been like that all season. If you’re 2 out of 12, you don’t give yourself a chance to sustain your drive and that’s what happens.”

Guess: Miami 16, NIU 13