NIU faces 3–1 Air Force after winless start

Northern Illinois hosts Air Force on October 10 after falling to 0–4 overall and 0–1 in Mountain West play. Air Force is 3–1, has strong defensive results, elite rushing and time-of-possession figures, and has not lost a fumble; those strengths directly test NIU’s weak rushing offense, turnover control, protection and unresolved quarterback situation.