The 1980 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Bill Mallory, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 7–4 with a mark of 4–3 in conference play, tying for third place in the MAC. Northern Illinois played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.