Huskie Nation Fires Back Against Orange Bowl Haters

DEKALB - Northern Illinois University is getting hit on all sides by critics who say they don't deserve to be in the Orange Bowl.  On Sunday, ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit said on the network's hour-long BCS program that he believed NIU didn't belong in a BCS Bowl.  Thousands across the country have echoed Herbstreit's comments and add Green Bay Packer Aaron Rodgers to the list who says, "It's an absolute sham," adding, "I love it because it just goes to show what a sham the BCS is."

Huskie Nation isn't standing by and letting their alma mater get trashed on.  NIU fans are firing back, and one supporter is showing how he feels.  Larry Hickey, owner of Hickey's Corner Store right near campus on Lincoln Highway, posted this saying on a sign outside his gas station and convenience store:

"SUCK OUR ORANGES ESPN - GO HUSKIES!"

"That clown came on ESPN in that hour long show and made me so mad that it was a no brainer what I was going to put on that sign," said Hickey.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OF WHAT ESPN HAD TO SAY ABOUT NIU MAKING IT TO THE ORANGE BOWL.

Hickey is an NIU grad.  He says he's a big Huskie fan and his store boasts a "Wall of Fame" dedicated to NIU's sporting history.

"The entire community is ecstatic about this," said Hickey.

That community excitement can be measured in Huskie gear sales.  The merchandise has been flying off the shelves at NIU's bookstore.

"There were tons of people flooding the store," said bookstore employee Lindsay Popp.  "Our internet sales have been skyrocketing."

Popp says Herbstreit's words may hurt Huskie Nation feelings, but it only adds fuel to Huskie Fever encouraged by the schools first trip to a BCS Bowl.

"Every time I go to ESPN's website whether it's a nice article or not, there's NIU on the front page," said Eddie Wildermuth, a fifth-year senior, who says he's glad he stuck around another year at school just so he could see his team play in the Orange Bowl.

"Just talking about it is just surreal," said Wildermuth

Justine Brown says she started freaking out when she heard her Huskies were off to the Orange Bowl come New Years Day.  She says she's going to try to be first in line for those free tickets for the game.  Brown says she plans on going to Miami with friends.

"I have a mini-van, so anyway I can get down there I'll get down there," said Brown.

Many students say they understand what Herbstreit was trying to say, but it sounded more like hate directed toward Northern Illinois University.  Cody Case says NIU played by the rules and should be headed to the Orange Bowl.

"A lot of people don't think we deserve it, but we do, and we're going to show the Seminoles who's boss," said Case.