NIU's Orange Bowl ticket distribution numbers released

Northern Illinois distributed 15,550 tickets from its allotment of 17,500 for the Orange Bowl, according to the NIU athletic office.

The school sold just 3,266 tickets, while 2,876 were given away to NIU students for free. The team (players, coaches and staff) and band was given 1,308 tickets, while the school donated 8,100 tickets.

NIU won't be on the hook for all the unsold tickets, as the Mid-American Conference covered the school's ticket obligation.

Here are the full ticket distribution numbers:

Tickets sold (includes only tickets sold through NIU ticket office): 3,266
Free tickets for NIU Students: 2,876
NIU Team (players, coaches, staff) and NIU Band: 1,308
Donated Tickets: 8,100
Total Tickets Distributed: 15,550