Northern Illinois at Kent State - 2023 Matchup Preview

Northern Illinois Huskies at Kent State Golden Flashes

Saturday, November 25th 2023 (12:00 PM EST)
Northern Illinois -20.5 (44.5) (0) Open: 0.0
Northern Illinois 37 - Kent State: 27 (Mid-American)

Huskies (7 - 6) (6 - 7 - 0)
Coach Thomas Hammock (18 - 29)
Avg Score : 25 - 21 (32 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.2 - 4.8 (#42)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

KENT is playing their 4th straight game
NIU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Northern Illinois -17 (SP+ NIU -19.5)
Projected Score: NIU: 33 - KENT: 16 (48)
NIU Win prob: 94% | Cover: 54%
NIU Travel: 390 miles, 1 hrs behind

Golden Flashes (1 - 11) (3 - 8 - 1)
Coach Kenni Burns (1 - 2)
Avg Score : 15 - 35 (19 - 29 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 2.1 - 9.9 (#133)
Wins: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Losses: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
NIU Players
KENT Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

Northern Illinois's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/2	Northern Illinois at Boston College	+8.0	50.0	W 27 - 24	O	Y
Sat 9/9	Northern Illinois vs Southern Illinois	-6.5	58.5	L 11 - 14	U	N
Sat 9/16	Northern Illinois at Nebraska	+11.5	42.5	L 11 - 35	O	N
Sat 9/23	Northern Illinois vs Tulsa	-3.5	54.5	L 14 - 22	U	N
Sat 9/30	Northern Illinois at Toledo	+13.0	48.0	L 33 - 35	O	Y
Sat 10/7	Northern Illinois at Akron	-4.0	42.5	W 55 - 14	O	Y
Sat 10/14	Northern Illinois vs Ohio	+5.5	45.0	W 23 - 13	U	Y
Sat 10/21	Northern Illinois vs Eastern Michigan	-11.5	43.5	W 20 - 13	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Tue 10/31	Northern Illinois at Central Michigan	-3.0	48.0	L 31 - 37	O	N
Tue 11/7	Northern Illinois vs Ball State	-9.5	43.5	L 17 - 20	U	N
Tue 11/14	Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan	-4.5	55.5	W 24 - 0	U	Y
Sat 11/25	Northern Illinois at Kent State	-20.5	44.5	W 37 - 27	O	N
Sat 12/23	Northern Illinois vs Arkansas State	+2.5	54.0	W 21 - 19	U	Y

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Northern Illinois's Schedule

Kent State's 2023 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Thu 8/31	Kent State at UCF	+35.0	54.0	L 6 - 56	O	N
Sat 9/9	Kent State at Arkansas	+38.0	57.5	L 6 - 28	U	Y
Sat 9/16	Kent State vs Central Connecticut	-21.5	46.5	W 38 - 10	O	Y
Sat 9/23	Kent State at Fresno State	+27.5	47.5	L 10 - 53	O	N
Sat 9/30	Kent State vs Miami (OH)	+14.0	51.5	L 3 - 23	U	N
Sat 10/7	Kent State at Ohio	+24.5	45.5	L 17 - 42	O	N
Sat 10/14	Kent State at Eastern Michigan	+7.0	40.0	L 14 - 28	O	N
Sat 10/21	Kent State vs Buffalo	+6.5	44.0	L 6 - 24	U	N
	BYE WEEK
Wed 11/1	Kent State at Akron	+4.0	39.0	L 27 - 31	O	Y
Wed 11/8	Kent State vs Bowling Green	+10.5	41.5	L 19 - 49	O	N
Sat 11/18	Kent State at Ball State	+10.5	41.5	L 3 - 34	U	N
Sat 11/25	Kent State vs Northern Illinois	+20.5	44.5	L 27 - 37	O	Y

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)	24.9	45% (45)	3.21 (50)	180	40% (85)	190	3.4 (102)	#36 (.14)	41% (52)	21	44% (84)	37% (21)	3.4 (32)	39.8	1.4	1.2
KENT	#125 (.05)	35% (130)	14.7	32% (133)	2.84 (113)	106	40% (89)	165	3.27 (110)	#125 (.32)	45% (111)	34.6	47% (108)	44% (97)	4.88 (132)	46.2	1	0.8

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	#86 (.16)	42% (79)		44% (72)	3.25 (33)	204	40% (86)	179	3.39 (113)	#11 (.06)	38% (19)		41% (52)	35% (9)	3.08 (12)	42.8	1.2	1.1
KENT	#131 (.01)	30% (134)		33% (132)	2.57 (128)	78	29% (134)	155	2.89 (130)	#133 (.35)	50% (131)		50% (123)	51% (130)	4.34 (115)	35.7	1.7	0.9

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	24.9	32.3	42.4%	3.4	1.4	19	370	180	190	5	54%	46%	45%	40%	15%	.21
KENT Defense	12	34.6	28.6	45%	4.88	0.8	-	-	-	-	-	56%	43%	47%	44%	13%	.32

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	21	28.7	40.7%	3.4	1.2	-	-	-	-	-	56%	43%	44%	37%	13%	.14
KENT Offense	12	14.7	18.6	35.2%	3.27	1	15	270	106	165	2.9	53%	47%	32%	40%	19%	.05

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
Kent State	12	28:49	15	30%	46%	5.4	46.2	1	0.8	4.1	0.9	0	28.4

Run Game Stats (2023)

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)
KENT Defense	12	56% (124)	47% (108)	-	-	-	-	.24 (117)	3.23 (98)	79% (107)	7% (131)	1.08 (106)

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)
KENT Offense	12	53% (44)	32% (133)	36.8	105.9	2.9	8 (130)	-.03 (132)	2.84 (113)	67% (109)	12% (117)	0.91 (105)

Pass Game Stats (2023)

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)
KENT Defense	12	43% (14)	44% (97)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (120)	.44 (127)	1.8 (117)	32% (73)	31% (76)	.33 (79)	6% (91)	2 (55)

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)
KENT Offense	12	47% (90)	40% (89)	13.3	25.5	164.5	6.5	12.3	11 (117)	6 (14)	.16 (110)	1.6 (72)	36% (122)	25% (112)	.18 (108)	7% (99)	2 (76)

Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -1.76 #74
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 17.02 #61
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 8.15 #48
2023 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% #75
Northern Illinois's 2023 Expected Record: 8.20 - 4.80
Northern Illinois's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.7 #85
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 19.4 #109
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.5 #47

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -1.76 Kent State: -21.295

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -6.7 Kent State: -26.4

Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -21.295 #133
Kent State's Offense Rating: 9.49 #124
Kent State's Defense Rating: 19.32 #132
2023 Talent Rating: 482.00 #1
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #75
Kent State's 2023 Expected Record: 2.10 - 9.90
Kent State's 2023 Overall SP+ Rating: -26.4 #133
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 8.1 #133
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.8 #115

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 482
Average Power Five Talent: 482
Average FBS Talent: 482

Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 24.9 PPG
Offense on Road: 32.3
Defense: 21 PPG
Defense on Road: 28.7

Northern Illinois's 2023 Record
Record: 7 - 6
Record vs Spread: 6 - 7 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 7
Record on Road: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread on Road: 3 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 6 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0

Projected Score
Northern Illinois 33
Kent State 16

Total Points: 48

Based on Last 4 Games
Northern Illinois 31
Kent State 20

Total Points: 51

Based on Entire Season
Northern Illinois 30
Kent State 21

Total Points: 51

Kent State Scoring
Offense: 14.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 18.6
Defense: 34.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 28.6

Kent State's 2023 Record
Record: 1 - 11
Record vs Spread: 3 - 8 - 1
Over/Under Record: 8 - 4
Record at home: 1 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 8 - 1
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 3 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2025	11/28	Northern Illinois	31	Kent State	35	Northern Illinois -5.0	Kent State	45.0	Over
2023	11/25	Kent State	27	Northern Illinois	37	Northern Illinois -20.5	Kent State	44.5	Over
2021	11/03	Kent State	52	Northern Illinois	47	Kent State -3.5	Kent State	72.0	Over
2021	12/04	Northern Illinois	41	Kent State	23	Kent State -3.5	Northern Illinois	75.5	Under
2017	10/07	Northern Illinois	24	Kent State	3	Northern Illinois -23.5	Kent State	44.5	Under
2016	11/25	Kent State	21	Northern Illinois	31	Northern Illinois -5	Northern Illinois	45.5	Over
2014	10/04	Northern Illinois	17	Kent State	14	Northern Illinois -22	Kent State	0
2013	10/05	Kent State	24	Northern Illinois	38	Northern Illinois -9.5	Northern Illinois	0
2012	11/30	Kent State	37	Northern Illinois	44
2011	10/08	Northern Illinois	40	Kent State	10
2008	11/18	Kent State	14	Northern Illinois	42
2007	11/10	Northern Illinois	27	Kent State	20
2005	10/22	Kent State	3	Northern Illinois	34
2002	09/28	Northern Illinois	13	Kent State	6
2001	10/13	Kent State	44	Northern Illinois	34

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Kent State	3	5	4 Overs
Northern Illinois	12	3	2 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	8 - 7	3 - 5	1 - 3	2 - 2
Road Teams	7 - 8	5 - 3	2 - 2	3 - 1

(#74) NIU at (#133) KENT

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	NIU	KENT
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#74	#133
SP+SP+	#85	#133
Perf GradeGrade	#82	#131
OffenseOff	#78	#123
DefenseDef	#64	#129
Spec TeamsST	#119	#97
TalentTal	#1	#1
Blue ChipsBC%	#75	#75

Northern Illinois Injury Report

Kent State Injury Report

Northern Illinois on Offense


CategoryCat	NIU Off	KENT Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#78	#129
SuccessSuc	#62	#111
ExplosiveExp	#84	#106
PPAPPA	#54	#125
PowerPwr	#61	#132
SP+SP+	#109	#115
Pts POPPO	#102	#132
HavocHav	#50	#122

Northern Illinois Run Game


CategoryCat	NIU Off	KENT Def
Run GameRun	#83	#118
Run SuccessRSuc	#45	#108
Run ExplRExp	#29	#106
PPAExp	#36	#117
Run BlockR Blk	#56	-
OL YdsOLY	#50	#98
Stuff RateStuff	#63	#108
TackleTak	-	#118

Northern Illinois Pass Game


CategoryCat	NIU Off	KENT Def
Pass GamePass	#87	#126
Pass SuccessPSuc	#85	#97
Pass ExplPExl	#96	#117
PPAExp	#75	#127
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	#31	#131
F7 HavocF7	#47	#131
DB HavocDB	#63	#91

Kent State on Offense


CategoryCat	KENT Off	NIU Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	#123	#64
SuccessSuc	#130	#52
ExplosiveExp	#83	#5
PPAPPA	#125	#36
PowerPwr	#124	#48
SP+SP+	#133	#47
Pts POPPO	#110	#32
HavocHav	#111	#120

Kent State Run Game


CategoryCat	KENT Off	NIU Def
Run GameRun	#132	#67
Run SuccessRSuc	#133	#84
Run ExplRExp	#105	#37
PPAExp	#132	#69
Run BlockR Blk	#133	-
OL YdsOLY	#113	#108
Stuff RateStuff	#64	#125
TackleTak	-	#60

Kent State Pass Game


CategoryCat	KENT Off	NIU Def
Pass GamePass	#84	#75
Pass SuccessPSuc	#89	#21
Pass ExplPExl	#72	#14
PPAExp	#110	#18
Pass Block/RushP Blk	#126	#92
F7 HavocF7	#117	#114
DB HavocDB	#99	#115

Program Comparison
KENT 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'23 Profile: Up to Poor G5

NIU 5 Year Profile: Improving Below Avg G5
'23 Profile: Up to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Dix Stadium
Conditions: Cloudy
Temp: 37°

Rematch from Week 13
Northern Illinois 20.5 (44.5)
Northern Illinois won at Kent State this year (37-27)

Previous Matchups
Northern Illinois beat Kent State in 2023 (37-27)

NIU's OC Eric Eidsness (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Rocky Lombardi	189	327	58%	2274	11	7	7.0
Ethan Hampton	19	33	58%	147	2	2	4.5

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Antario Brown	212	1294	10	6.1	80
Gavin Williams (Tr)	95	488	3	5.1	53
Trayvon Rudolph	22	182	1	8.3	36
Rocky Lombardi	72	131	7	1.8	33

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Trayvon Rudolph	51	531	2	10.4	72
Grayson Barnes	23	422	5	18.3	58
Kacper Rutkiewicz	20	313	2	15.7	64
Davis Patterson	16	197	0	12.3	28

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster

NIU's DC Nick Benedetto (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Raishein Thomas	74	7	3	5	1
Jaden Dolphin	63	1	0	0	3
Tyler Jackson	56	2	0	2	0
DaRon Gilbert	52	3	1	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
James Ester	44	6	4	3	2
Roy Williams	24	6	4	1	1
George Gumbs	34	8	4	2	0
Devonte O'Malley	33	5	3	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Jashon Prophete	33	1	8
Javaughn Byrd	32	2	5
Jacob Finley	33	1	3

KENT's OC Matt Johnson (in his first season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Michael Alaimo	79	144	55%	932	2	4	6.5
Tommy Ulatowski	60	121	50%	737	7	2	6.1

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Gavin Garcia	138	544	2	3.9	42
Jaylen Thomas	133	460	2	3.5	34
Xavier Williams	42	137	1	3.3	18
Tommy Ulatowski	47	89	1	1.9	39

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Chrishon Mccray	41	610	4	14.9	42
Luke Floriea	39	414	4	10.6	43
Trell Harris	26	400	1	15.4	43
Jameel Gardner Jr.	24	298	1	12.4	50

View Kent State's Full Roster

KENT's DC David Duggan (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Bryce Sheppert	75	1	0	2	7
Nick Giacolone	50	5	0	0	1
Stephen Daley	47	6	1	7	0
D.J. Miller	46	1	0	0	3

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
CJ Harris	31	6	2	0	1
Marcus Winfield	11	3	2	1	0
Macyo Williams	18	3	2	2	0
Stephen Daley	47	6	1	7	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Capone Blue	30	0	0	0	10
Bryce Sheppert	75	1	0	2	7
Alex Branch	32	2	1	0	3