Football | August 8
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DeKALB, IL – A year after leading the Mid-American Conference in sacks per game, the defensive line of the Northern Illinois University football team looks to continue its dominant play into 2025.
"Our defensive line is strong, physical and productive," said head coach Thomas Hammock. "It's amazing how we added some guys who have already outperformed our expectations. We brought in [Dasean] Dixon and [Alvin] Gulley and didn't miss a beat. We've had some young guys step up. It feels like the defensive line is the strength of our defense, and that's saying something considering we graduated some guys and lost some guys from last year. They're going to be a difference-maker this year."
"We've been very creative and strategic with having guys develop in the pipeline along with getting guys that are older and know the program. We get guys up to speed very quickly with getting the younger guys reps. Coach Moore and Coach Robinson have made them disciplined and disruptive."
NIU averaged 2.77 sacks per game last season which put the Huskies among the top 20 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Senior defensive end Roy Williams (Crestwood, Ill./Shepard) is NIU's leading returning tackler with 38 in 2024. He was second on the team with 6.5 sacks. Williams had a sack in three straight games against NC State, UMass and Bowling Green. Opposite Williams on the line is Jalonnie Williams (Milwaukee, Wis./Greenfield), who had 28 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries in 12 games.
"We have tremendous leadership and a lot of guys with experience who are embedded in our culture," said defensive ends coach Travis Moore. "When we talk about leadership, it starts with Roy and Jalonnie. Their level of competitiveness and preparation has trickled down to players like Lance Ingold, Ivan Davis, and Jay'shon Thomas. Roy and Jalonnie are guys we recruited, have been here for four years and are the results of our development."
A new-look group of defensive tackles will look to make an impact in 2025 with a new position coach in Justin Robinson. Sophomore Mark Hensley had 1.5 tackles for loss out of his five tackles in 2024. He is joined in the middle of the line this year by transfers Alvin Gulley (Belleville, Ill./Yale) from Yale and Da'Sean Dixon (Washington, D.C./Albany) from Albany. Gulley had 10 tackles for loss in four seasons at Yale and was a member of two Ivy League Championship teams. He was also Honorable Mention All-Ivy twice. Dixon was an All-Coastal Athletic Association selection at Albany last season with 34 tackles and six for loss.
"Our guys come out and compete everyday," said Robinson. "Da'Sean and Alvin have done a great job so far. We're building depth with Mark and Reggie Jean, Montrel Cannion, Jordan Bellamy and Amari Washington. As a whole, this group is developing pretty well right now. With the way we practice and the physicality we play with, having depth in our room is going to help us in the season."
The Huskies practice on Saturday, August 9 at Huskie Stadium in one of their first scrimmages of preseason camp.
Season and single game tickets are on sale now for the 2025 NIU Football season. Season ticket prices for NIU's six 2025 home games begin at as little as $110 each for a general admission ticket. With the purchase of the Huskie 4-Pack (four or more tickets), pay $110 each for a reserved seat in sections A, B or F on the West Side. Reserved west side seats are priced at $152 or $170 with discounts available for NIU alumni, NIU faculty/staff, DeKalb County residents, seniors (62+) and members of the Varsity Club (former student-athletes).
Purchase tickets for the 2025 NIU Football season anytime online at NIUHuskies.com/tickets. For more information, call the NIU Ticket Office at 815-753-PACK (7225) weekdays between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. or email huskiestickets@niu.edu.
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