Holy Cross at Northern Illinois - 2025 Matchup Preview
Holy Cross logo Holy Cross Crusaders at Northern Illinois HuskiesNorthern Illinois logo
Saturday, August 30th 2025 (3:30 PM EDT)
Northern Illinois -13.5 (48.5) (0)  Open: -13.0 | 51.5
Northern Illinois 19 - Holy Cross: 17

 
Crusaders (0 - 1) (1 - 0 - 0)
Coach ( - )
Avg Score : 17 - 19 (17 - 19 on Road)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
Our Line: -16  (SP+ NIU -17)
NIU Win prob: 84% | Cover: 56%
Huskies (3 - 9) (3 - 9 - 0)
Coach Thomas Hammock (31 - 38)
Avg Score : 17 - 24 (18 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3 - 9 (#117)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 8)
 
Holy Cross's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Holy Cross at Northern Illinois+13.548.5L 17 - 19UY

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 Holy Cross's Schedule
Northern Illinois's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Northern Illinois vs Holy Cross-13.548.5W 19 - 17UN
Fri 9/5 Northern Illinois at Maryland+17.044.5L 9 - 20UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/20 Northern Illinois at Mississippi State+23.548.5L 10 - 38UN
Sat 9/27 Northern Illinois vs San Diego State+1.541.5L 3 - 6UN
Sat 10/4 Northern Illinois vs Miami (OH)+4.538.5L 14 - 25ON
Sat 10/11 Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan-1.548.5L 10 - 16UN
Sat 10/18 Northern Illinois at Ohio+10.541.5L 21 - 48ON
Sat 10/25 Northern Illinois vs Ball State-6.541.5W 21 - 7UY
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5 Northern Illinois at Toledo+14.542.5L 3 - 42ON
Wed 11/12 Northern Illinois at Massachusetts-8.543.5W 45 - 3OY
Tue 11/18 Northern Illinois vs Western Michigan+7.039.5L 19 - 35ON
Fri 11/28 Northern Illinois vs Kent State-5.045.0L 31 - 35ON

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 8
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 7
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Northern Illinois's Schedule
Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
HC0%170%000%000%190%0%0000
NIU#86 (.16)42% (79)17.144% (72)3.25 (33)20440% (86)1793.39 (113)#11 (.06)38% (19)24.341% (52)35% (9)3.08 (12)42.81.21.1
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
HC0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
NIU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HC Offense117170%00000000%0%0%0%0%
NIU Defense1324.320.837.7%3.081.1 - - - - - 49%51%41%35%17%.06
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
HC Defense119190%00 - - - - - 0%0%0%0%0%
NIU Offense1317.117.842.1%3.391.2213832041794.859%41%44%40%15%.16

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Holy Cross10:000NAN%0%0000000100
Northern Illinois1333:2021.542%45%4.242.81.21.15.42.5130.4
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
HC Offense10%0%000000%0%0
NIU Defense1349% (44)41% (52) - - - - .08 (45)3.06 (79)74% (73)11% (53)0.9 (33)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
HC Defense10%0% - - - - 00%0%0
NIU Offense1359% (11)44% (72)42.8204.24.822 (55).14 (66)3.25 (33)72% (83)9% (60)1 (54)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HC Offense10%0%000000000%0%0%0
NIU Defense1351% (93)35% (9) - - - - - - 9 (76).04 (4)1.5 (55)36% (15)25% (10).18 (16)7% (37)2 (67)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
HC Defense10%0% - - - - - - 000%0%0%0
NIU Offense1341% (124)40% (86)16.528.5179.16.310.816 (87)8 (40).23 (84)1.6 (58)31% (68)30% (89).17 (117)5% (39)1.9 (116)

Holy Cross's Power Ratings
Holy Cross's Power Rating: NR
Holy Cross's Offense Rating: NR
Holy Cross's Defense Rating: NR
2025 Talent Rating: NR
Blue Chip Ratio: 0% NR
Holy Cross's 2025 Expected Record: -
Holy Cross's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: NR
Holy Cross's Offense SP+ Rating: NR
Holy Cross's Defense SP+ Rating: NR

Average Talent
Average Patriot Talent Rating is 0
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76

Power Ratings Matchup
Holy Cross:    Northern Illinois: -15.955

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Holy Cross:    Northern Illinois: -16.7




Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -15.955  #130
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 1.81  #130
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 22.02  #121
2025 Talent Rating: 526.00  #113
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #101
Northern Illinois's 2025 Expected Record: 3.0 - 9.0
Northern Illinois's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -16.7  #128
Northern Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 12.0  #135
Northern Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.1  #74

Average Talent
Average Mountain West Talent Rating is 500.89
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Holy Cross Scoring
Offense: 17 PPG
Offense on Road: 17
Defense: 19 PPG
Defense on Road: 19

Holy Cross's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 1
Record on Road: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 0 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Holy Cross 20
Northern Illinois 18

Projected Total Points: 38
Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 17.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 17.8
Defense: 24.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.8

Northern Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 9
Record vs Spread: 3 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record at home: 2 - 4
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 5 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202508/30Northern Illinois19Holy Cross17Northern Illinois -13.5Holy Cross48.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northern Illinois100 Overs
Holy Cross011 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 11 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#NR) HC at (#130) NIU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatHCNIU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwrNR #130
SP+SP+NR #128
Perf GradeGradeNR #116
OffenseOffNR #117
DefenseDefNR #105
Spec TeamsSTNR #88
TalentTalNR #113
Blue ChipsBC%NR #101
Northern Illinois Notes
(11/20) QB play abysmal, Rush Def mauled vs WMU
(11/5) Last MAC year, no bowl. No Offense. Grim outlook
(10/31) Off is worst in CFB, QBs awful, RB Johnson OK
(10/31) DL good, Def good but Off #'s are just ass
(10/19) Lost 6 straight, worst Off Success #'s in all CFB
(10/19) Program is regressing fast. OC Beschorner must go
(9/29) QB Holst benched, QB2 Davidson immediately picked
(9/25) Off poss worst in CFB, have no QB, rush Off worse
(8/30) Slog W over Holy Cross. 3.7 ypc, 4.5 ypp. Woof
(5/5) Portal QB Proctor (Dart) exciting, joins in summer
(5/5) QB1 Holst won spring, started 3 games LY
(5/5) WR Bryant, Pardridge and Givens top 3 spring
Northern Illinois Injury Report
Holy Cross on Offense
CategoryCat
HC OffNIU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNR #105
SuccessSucNR #19
ExplosiveExpNR #37
PPAPPANR #11
PowerPwrNR #121
SP+SP+NR #74
Pts POPPONR #12
HavocHavNR #48
Holy Cross Run Game
CategoryCat
HC OffNIU Def
Run GameRunNR #108
Run SuccessRSucNR #52
Run ExplRExpNR #33
PPAExpNR #45
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLYNR #79
Stuff RateStuffNR #104
TackleTak -  #9
Holy Cross Pass Game
CategoryCat
HC OffNIU Def
Pass GamePassNR #94
Pass SuccessPSucNR #9
Pass ExplPExlNR #55
PPAExpNR #4
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNR #100
F7 HavocF7NR #53
DB HavocDBNR #37
Northern Illinois on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatNIU OffHC Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #117NR
SuccessSuc #79NR
ExplosiveExp #96NR
PPAPPA #86NR
PowerPwr #130NR
SP+SP+ #135NR
Pts POPPO #113NR
HavocHav #44NR
Northern Illinois Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffHC Def
Run GameRun #64NR
Run SuccessRSuc #72NR
Run ExplRExp #54NR
PPAExp #66NR
Run BlockR Blk #79 -
OL YdsOLY #33NR
Stuff RateStuff #14NR
TackleTak - NR
Northern Illinois Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatNIU OffHC Def
Pass GamePass #136NR
Pass SuccessPSuc #86NR
Pass ExplPExl #58NR
PPAExp #84NR
Pass Block/RushP Blk #114NR
F7 HavocF7 #60NR
DB HavocDB #39NR
Program Comparison
NIU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'25 Profile: Up to Poor G5

HC 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium
Conditions: Cloudy
Temp: 72°
Rematch from Week 1
Northern Illinois -13.5 (48.5)
Northern Illinois won vs Holy Cross this year (19-17)

Previous Matchups
Northern Illinois beat Holy Cross last year (19-17)

  
HC's OC ()
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Cal Swanson (Tr)8616353%1021556.3
Dominic Campanile538860%514115.8
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Jayden Clerveaux16176254.767
Nyeoti Punni7041535.953
Sam Slade1612417.888
Joseph Williams4012113.010
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Max Mosey5049009.846
Ty Curran (Tr)22254011.544
Alijah Cason22244211.144
Joseph Williams17217112.864

View Holy Cross's Full Roster

HC's DC ()
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cam Santee100001
Tommy Bestpitch81000
Lathan Croley80000
Christian Ross60010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cam Santee100001
Colin Reynolds30000
Cam Jones10000
Will Miller10000
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cam Santee100001
Joseph Townsend30001
Colin Reynolds30000

NIU's OC Wesley Beschorner (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Josh Holst7813060%689435.3
Brady Davidson408746%384334.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Chavon Wright19687554.545
Telly Johnson Jr.12469045.680
Jalen Macon4521654.836
Lazaro Rogers3318915.776
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
DeAree Rogers46506311.050
Gary Givens III12145112.131
Rickey Taylor Jr.9134114.941
Telly Johnson Jr.169706.117

View Northern Illinois's Full Roster

NIU's DC Nick Benedetto (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Quinton Urwiler1278221
Filip Maciorowski766302
Jasper Beeler741102
Jacob Finley571007
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Filip Maciorowski766302
Jay'Shon Thomas193250
Roy Williams3332110
Quinton Urwiler1278221
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jacob Finley571007
Donte Harrison302005
Dev'ion Reynolds130003