Northern Illinois has accepted an invitation to join the Mountain West for football only in 2026, the school and conference announced Tuesday.
The Huskies will move from the Midwest-based MAC to a conference where the eastern school is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado. They will join Air Force, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose State, UNLV, UTEP and Wyoming in the Mountain West.
“This move will open up new opportunities for our student-athletes, expand the reach and strengthen the national brand of Huskie Football as they represent NIU and compete hard, and rightly,” NIU president Lisa C. Freeman said in a statement.
Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said NIU’s “history of football success and commitment to academic excellence” is compelling.
Northern Illinois played 39 seasons in the MAC twice from 1975 to 1985 and since 1997. It was in the Big West Conference in football from 1993 to 1995 and operated as an independent from 1986 to 1992, and again in 1996.
The Huskies went 8-5 this season and took out the best then-No. 5 Notre Dame in September. This win made them the first in the Associated Press poll in 11 years.
The Huskies have been among the top teams in the MAC for two decades. They have played in 15 bowl games in that time, and the 2012 team even made the Orange Bowl, with star quarterback Jordan Lynch.
It is unclear which conference Northern Illinois’ other teams will compete in starting in 2026. The school said it has “multiple options” with Midwest conferences and is still negotiating with the MAC.
It is reported by the Associated Press.
[Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.]
Find out more about College Football Follow your favorites to get information about sports, news and more