The 1985 Northern Illinois Huskies football team represented Northern Illinois University as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1985 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Jerry Pettibone, the Huskies compiled an overall record of 4–7 with a mark of 4–4 in conference play, placing fifth in the MAC. Northern Illinois played home games at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, Illinois.