Northern Illinois vs Fresno State Game Matchup

Northern Illinois Huskies vs Fresno State Bulldogs

Monday, December 23rd 2024 (2:30 PM EST)
Northern Illinois -2 (41.0) (-125) Open: 0.0
Northern Illinois 28 - Fresno State: 20 (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)

Huskies (8 - 5) (5 - 6 - 2)
Coach Thomas Hammock (24 - 33)
Avg Score : 25 - 19 (21 - 20 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8 - 5 (#42)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)

Bowl Game Opt OutsOur Line: Northern Illinois -3.5 (SP+ -0.5)
PPG only: NIU: 25 - FRES: 22 (47)
NIU Win prob: 55% | Cover: 50%
NIU Travel: 1682 miles, 2 hrs ahead

Bulldogs (6 - 7) (6 - 6 - 1)
Coach Tim Skipper (Int) (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 26 - 25 (32 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6 - 7 (#72)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
Bowls
Off Players
Def Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Northern Illinois's 2024 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
Sat 8/31	Northern Illinois vs Western Illinois	-36.5	55.5	W 54 - 15
Sat 9/7	Northern Illinois at Notre Dame	+28.5	46.5	W 16 - 14
	BYE WEEK
Sat 9/21	Northern Illinois vs Buffalo	-13.0	42.5	L 20 - 23
Sat 9/28	Northern Illinois at NC State	+7.0	46.0	L 17 - 24
Sat 10/5	Northern Illinois vs Massachusetts	-14.0	41.0	W 34 - 20
Sat 10/12	Northern Illinois at Bowling Green	+3.0	46.5	W 17 - 7
Sat 10/19	Northern Illinois vs Toledo	-3.0	42.5	L 6 - 13
Sat 10/26	Northern Illinois at Ball State	-13.5	47.5	L 23 - 25
	BYE WEEK
Wed 11/6	Northern Illinois at Western Michigan	-2.5	51.5	W 42 - 28
Wed 11/13	Northern Illinois vs Akron	-14.0	43.5	W 29 - 16
Tue 11/19	Northern Illinois at Miami (OH)	+1.5	43.0	L 9 - 20
Sat 11/30	Northern Illinois vs Central Michigan	-16.5	41.5	W 24 - 16
Mon 12/23	Northern Illinois vs Fresno State	-2.0	41.0	W 28 - 20

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 5, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 1, Bad 5, Poor 6
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 3, Poor: 4
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 2, Poor: 2

Fresno State's 2024 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
Sat 8/31	Fresno State at Michigan	+21.0	48.0	L 10 - 30
Sat 9/7	Fresno State vs Sacramento State	-18.5	55.5	W 46 - 30
Sat 9/14	Fresno State vs New Mexico State	-19.5	48.5	W 48 - 0
Sat 9/21	Fresno State at New Mexico	-12.0	61.0	W 38 - 21
Sat 9/28	Fresno State at UNLV	+2.5	51.0	L 14 - 59
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/12	Fresno State vs Washington State	+3.5	60.5	L 17 - 25
Fri 10/18	Fresno State at Nevada	-3.0	50.0	W 24 - 21
Sat 10/26	Fresno State vs San José State	-6.5	55.0	W 33 - 10
Sat 11/2	Fresno State vs Hawai'i	-12.0	45.5	L 20 - 21
Sat 11/9	Fresno State at Air Force	-9.5	40.5	L 28 - 36
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/23	Fresno State vs Colorado State	-3.5	43.5	W 28 - 22
Sat 11/30	Fresno State at UCLA	+7.5	46.5	L 13 - 20
Mon 12/23	Fresno State vs Northern Illinois	+2.0	41.0	L 20 - 28

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 4, Poor 6
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 4, Poor 6
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 2, Poor: 4
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 3, Bad: 2, Poor: 2

NIU's OC Wesley Beschorner vs FRES's DC Kevin Coyle FRES's OC Pat McCann vs NIU's DC Nick Benedetto

Important Stats (2023)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
NIU	#54 (.21)	42% (62)	24.5	45% (45)	3.21 (50)	180	40% (85)	190	3.4 (102)	#36 (.14)	41% (52)	18.5	44% (84)	37% (21)	3.4 (32)	39.8	1.4	1.2
FRES	#51 (.22)	44% (48)	26.1	40% (103)	2.97 (95)	106	47% (24)	281	4.21 (36)	#66 (.18)	41% (60)	24.8	42% (62)	41% (64)	3.31 (20)	39.8	1.1	1.8

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
NIU		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
FRES		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2023

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
NIU Offense	13	24.5	20.7	42.4%	3.4	1.4	19	370	180	190	5	54%	46%	45%	40%	15%	.21
FRES Defense	13	24.8	18	41.5%	3.31	1.8	-	-	-	-	-	53%	46%	42%	41%	16%	.18

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
NIU Defense	13	18.5	19.7	40.7%	3.4	1.2	-	-	-	-	-	56%	43%	44%	37%	13%	.14
FRES Offense	13	26.1	32	43.8%	4.21	1.1	21	388	106	281	3.8	37%	62%	40%	47%	15%	.22

Additional Stats 2023

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
Northern Illinois	13	31:30	18.7	42%	50%	4.5	39.8	1.4	1.2	4.1	1.7	1	27.5
Fresno State	13	29:21	20.9	48%	64%	4.4	39.8	1.1	1.8	5.5	2.2	1	31.4

Run Game Stats (2024)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
NIU Offense	13	54% (39)	45% (45)	35.8	179.8	5	23 (46)	.21 (36)	3.21 (50)	77% (36)	9% (47)	1.08 (29)
FRES Defense	13	53% (105)	42% (62)	-	-	-	-	.13 (61)	3.16 (84)	68% (42)	9% (95)	0.91 (30)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
NIU Defense	13	56% (122)	44% (84)	-	-	-	-	.14 (69)	3.29 (108)	83% (118)	8% (114)	0.94 (37)
FRES Offense	13	37% (129)	40% (103)	28.4	106.5	3.8	16 (89)	.14 (77)	2.97 (95)	74% (70)	8% (28)	1.01 (62)

Pass Game Stats (2024)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
NIU Offense	13	46% (95)	40% (85)	16.2	28.2	189.8	6.7	11.7	15 (96)	9 (40)	.26 (75)	1.5 (96)	32% (64)	26% (106)	.29 (83)	6% (63)	2.3 (16)
FRES Defense	13	46% (28)	41% (64)	-	-	-	-	-	-	17 (3)	.3 (90)	1.7 (93)	32% (60)	33% (106)	.34 (84)	7% (44)	2 (44)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
NIU Defense	13	43% (12)	37% (21)	-	-	-	-	-	-	10 (67)	.17 (18)	1.4 (14)	32% (66)	24% (9)	.29 (55)	5% (115)	2.2 (109)
FRES Offense	13	62% (5)	47% (24)	25.8	39.6	281.3	7.1	10.9	29 (18)	12 (85)	.3 (65)	1.5 (118)	31% (49)	38% (10)	.43 (37)	7% (93)	1.8 (125)

Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -2.77 #73
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 16.86 #97
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 2.99 #11
2024 Talent Rating: 538.00 #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #102
Northern Illinois's 2024 Expected Record: 8.0 - 5.0
Northern Illinois's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.5 #84
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.0 #115
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.6 #32

Northern Illinois's SP+ Ratings
Northern Illinois's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.5 #84
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 20.0 #115
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.6 #32

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 516.17
Average Power Five Talent: 806.09
Average FBS Talent: 638.99

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -2.77 Fresno State: -6.40

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -3.5 Fresno State: -3.8

Fresno State's Power Ratings
Fresno State's Power Rating: -6.40 #87
Fresno State's Offense Rating: 16.89 #95
Fresno State's Defense Rating: 6.00 #33
2024 Talent Rating: 540.00 #88
Blue Chip Ratio: 2 #82
Fresno State's 2024 Expected Record: 6.0 - 7.0

Fresno State's SP+ Ratings
Fresno State's 2024 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.8 #85
Fresno State's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.1 #85
Fresno State's Defense SP+ Rating: 27.6 #77

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 443.33
Average Power Five Talent: 806.09
Average FBS Talent: 638.99

Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 24.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 20.7
Defense: 18.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 19.7

Northern Illinois's 2024 Record
Record: 8 - 5
Record vs Spread: 5 - 6 - 2
Record on Road: 4 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 2 - 1
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 5 - 1
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0

Projected Score
Northern Illinois 25
Fresno State 22

Projected Total Points: 47

Fresno State Scoring
Offense: 26.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 32
Defense: 24.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 18

Fresno State's 2024 Record
Record: 6 - 7
Record vs Spread: 6 - 6 - 1
Record at home: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Winner	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	12/23	Fresno State	20	Northern Illinois	28	Northern Illinois	Northern Illinois -2	Northern Illinois	41.0	Over
2010	12/18	Fresno State	17	Northern Illinois	40	Northern Illinois

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Fresno State	0	0	1 Overs
Northern Illinois	2	1	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	0 - 2	0 - 1	0 - 0	0 - 1
Road Teams	2 - 0	1 - 0	1 - 0	0 - 0

Northern Illinois Recent Bowl History
Date	Bowl	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
2024	Potato Bowl	Northern Illinois vs Fresno State	-2.0	41.0	W 28 - 20
2023	Camellia Bowl	Northern Illinois vs Arkansas State	+2.5	54.0	W 21 - 19
2021	Cure Bowl	Northern Illinois vs Coastal Carolina	+11.0	63.0	L 41 - 47
2018	Raton Bowl	Northern Illinois vs UAB	+1.0	41.5	L 13 - 37

Fresno State Recent Bowl History
Date	Bowl	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result
2024	Potato Bowl	Fresno State vs Northern Illinois	+2.0	41.0	L 20 - 28
2023	Mexico Bowl	Fresno State vs New Mexico State	+3.0	52.5	W 37 - 10
2022	La Bowl	Fresno State vs Washington State	-5.5	54.0	W 29 - 6
2021	Mexico Bowl	Fresno State vs UTEP	-11.5	51.5	W 31 - 24
2018	Vegas Bowl	Fresno State vs Arizona State	-6.0	54.0	W 31 - 20

(#73) Northern Illinois Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -2.77 #73
Offense Rating: 16.86 #97
Defense Rating: 2.99 #11
Overall SP+ Rating: -3.5 #84
Offense SP+ Rating: 20.0 #115
Defense SP+ Rating: 21.6 #32
Talent Rating: 538.00 #89
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #102
Expected Record: 8.0 - 5.0

Northern Illinois has played in 3 Bowls in the last 5 years (2 - 1)
Northern Illinois has played in 15 Bowls since 2000 (5 - 10)

Northern Illinois Notes
(11/18) Rgame mauled Akron, QB meh, Run Def great
(11/8) Off healthy & improved. Rgame/QB Hampton good
(11/7) Owned WMU. Big plays, caused TO's, KR TD
(10/20) Near 400 yds and only 6 pts (Tol)? 4-19 3rd bad
(10/18) Def ranks top 25 in 13 diff stats, #4 in ypg (253)
(10/18) Great 3rd down Def 20% (#1) & Off 48% (#22)
(10/18) New QB Holst v mobile, cannot pass from pocket
(10/14) QB Hampton left BG game (concussion)

Northern Illinois Ratings Matchup Fresno State

Power #73

#87

Off #97

#95

Def #11

#33

Talent #89

#88

SP+ #84

#85

SP+ Off #115

#85

SP+ Def #32

#77

Rematch from Week 1
Northern Illinois 2.0 (41.0)
Northern Illinois won at Fresno State this year (28-20)

Previous Matchups
Northern Illinois beat Fresno State last year (28-20)

Weather Forecast
Playing in Albertsons Stadium
Conditions: Cloudy
Temp: 46°

Team Information
Injuries: NIU | FRES
Depth Chart: NIU | FRES
Rosters: NIU | FRES

(#87) Fresno State Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -6.40 #87
Offense Rating: 16.89 #95
Defense Rating: 6.00 #33
Overall SP+ Rating: -3.8 #85
Offense SP+ Rating: 25.1 #85
Defense SP+ Rating: 27.6 #77
Talent Rating: 540.00 #88
Blue Chip Ratio: 2 #82
Expected Record: 6.0 - 7.0

Fresno State has played in 4 Bowls in the last 5 years (3 - 1)
Fresno State has played in 19 Bowls since 2000 (9 - 10)

Fresno State Notes
(12/10) Hired HC Matt Entz (USC LB, NDSU HC 19-23)
(11/3) Bad L (Haw), Keene was bad, Rgame was abysmal
(10/27) Momentum w/ 2 W's, 12-19 on 3rd vs SJSU
(10/27) QB Keene too many INTs, has WRs. Rgame awful
(10/4) Rgame bottom CFB, OL yds, success awful.
(9/28) Run O abysmal, Run D torched (UNLV). Keene good
(7/30) HC Tedford resigned, AHC Skipper Int coach in '24
(7/30) QB Keene back (Best in MW), WR should be good

Northern Illinois's OC Wesley Beschorner

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Ethan Hampton	143	245	58%	1608	12	6	6.6
Josh Holst	65	111	59%	593	2	2	5.3

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Gavin Williams	139	749	4	5.4	71
Antario Brown	115	567	4	4.9	49
Telly Johnson Jr.	103	480	4	4.7	38
Josh Holst	49	230	1	4.7	22

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Trayvon Rudolph	37	403	1	10.9	48
Cam Thompson	27	388	3	14.4	54
Grayson Barnes	31	338	4	10.9	60
Andrew McElroy	26	264	0	10.2	42

Fresno State's OC Pat McCann

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Mikey Keene	276	392	70%	2887	18	11	7.4
Joshua Wood	18	28	64%	195	1	1	7.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Bryson Donelson	78	472	3	6.1	43
Elijah Gilliam	121	466	8	3.9	24
Malik Sherrod	60	196	4	3.3	48
Joshua Wood	37	118	6	3.2	15

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Mac Dalena	60	998	8	16.6	75
Jalen Moss	49	582	4	11.9	49
Raylen Sharpe	51	523	3	10.3	38
Elijah Gilliam	32	204	0	6.4	71

Northern Illinois's DC Nick Benedetto

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jaden Dolphin	61	3	0	0	2
Christian Fuhrman	61	4	0	1	1
Santana Banner	54	2	0	1	4
Nate Valcarcel	53	2	2	4	8

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Devonte O'Malley	38	12	9	4	1
Roy Williams	38	7	7	1	1
Nevaeh Sanders	8	5	5	2	0
Skyler Gill-Howard	48	7	5	4	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Nate Valcarcel	53	2	2	4	8
Jacob Finley	36	3	1	0	8
Santana Banner	54	2	0	1	4

Fresno State's DC Kevin Coyle

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tuasivi Nomura	102	7	0	0	3
Malachi Langley	73	3	3	7	0
Dean Clark	56	3	2	2	4
Alzillion Hamilton	50	5	1	1	12

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Malachi Langley	73	3	3	7	0
Dean Clark	56	3	2	2	4
Phoenix Jackson	45	5	2	5	4
Korey Foreman	23	5	2	4	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Alzillion Hamilton	50	5	1	1	12
Cameron Lockridge	37	2	0	0	6
Phoenix Jackson	45	5	2	5	4