By LARRY VAUGHT

Kentucky’s 2022 non-SEC football schedule is now set with the addition of a home game against Northern Illinois on Sept. 24 in the first ever meeting between the two schools.

Previously, games with Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 3, Youngstown State on Sept. 17 and Louisville on Nov. 26 had been announced.

“Making sure that we play the likes of Notre Dame, Kentucky, etc. so that at the end of the year we’re in those conversations for a January 1 or an Access Bowl bid. I think to get there you must schedule strategically not just for year 2019 but for year 2025,” Northern Illinois athletics director Sean Frazier said.

“I think it’s very important for us to be very intentional with our schedules to play someone to have a body of work that’s worthy of review and assessment and I think that’s what we’re doing here at NIU.”

Northern Illinois has a new coach this year in Thomas Hammrock. The Huskies have been to bowl games in 12 of the last 15 years under five different coaches. Northern Illinois played in the Orange Bowl in 2012.