(MCT) — DEKALB — The Northern Illinois football team embraced the adulation from its student fan base Wednesday night during a pep rally/celebration at halftime of a basketball game between NIU and Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville at the Convocation Center.

School president Dr. John Peters introduced the team as quarterback Jordan Lynch and defensive end Sean Progar addressed the crowd- the largest of the season (2,750 in a Huskies 65-54 win) because fans came to see its Mid-American Conference champion football team.