#36

Jake Ference

Sophomore punter for Northern Illinois. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.

P · Northern Illinois · So. · #36

6′0″ · 195 lb · St. Louis, MO

Returning to Northern Illinois for 2026
Next upSat Sep 19 · 10:30 pm ETat ArizonaArizona StadiumArizona by 34.5

The numbers

42.3

yards per punt · 2026

16 punts · long of 55

2 games into 2026 so far -- Best game: 11 punts, 41.8 avg, at Iowa

The story

2 punter for Northern Illinois. 2026: 2 games with a box-score line.

His career, year by year

Jake Ference

P · Northern Illinois · So · #36

Handles the punting job without giving the return man a lane. Jake Ference has played for two head coaches in two seasons at Northern Illinois.

Low coverage — composed from the verified record.

  • positional archetype classification
  • head-coach lineage
Stats from CFBD · ESPN · fan discourse. Every figure computed from source tables — not invented. Methodology