Northern Illinois at Massachusetts - 2025 Matchup Preview
Northern Illinois logo   Northern Illinois Huskies at Massachusetts Minutemen  Massachusetts logo
Wednesday, November 12th 2025 (7:00 PM EST)
Northern Illinois -8.5 (43.5) (-380)  Open: -10.5 | 42.5
Northern Illinois 45 - Massachusetts: 3  (Mid-American)

 
Huskies (3 - 9) (3 - 9 - 0)
Coach Thomas Hammock (31 - 38)
Avg Score : 17 - 24 (16 - 28 on Road)
Record Prediction: 3 - 9 (#117)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
NIU 2nd straight Road Game
Our Line: Northern Illinois -10.5  (SP+ NIU -20)

Projected Score: NIU: 28 - UMASS: 17 (45)
NIU Win prob: 71% | Cover: 46%
NIU Travel: 831 miles, 1 hrs behind
Minutemen (0 - 12) (3 - 9 - 0)
Coach Joe Harasymiak (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 11 - 39 (13 - 35 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 12 (#136)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
 
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: , 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
Massachusetts's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Massachusetts vs Temple+3.051.5L 10 - 42ON
Sat 9/6 Massachusetts vs Bryant-14.552.0L 26 - 27ON
Sat 9/13 Massachusetts at Iowa+35.544.5L 7 - 47ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Massachusetts at Missouri+44.557.5L 6 - 42UY
Sat 10/4 Massachusetts vs Western Michigan+12.546.5L 3 - 21UN
Sat 10/11 Massachusetts at Kent State+1.549.5L 6 - 42UN
Sat 10/18 Massachusetts vs Buffalo+16.547.5L 21 - 28OY
Sat 10/25 Massachusetts at Central Michigan+16.546.5L 13 - 38ON
BYE WEEK
Tue 11/4 Massachusetts at Akron+12.551.5L 10 - 44ON
Wed 11/12 Massachusetts vs Northern Illinois+8.543.5L 3 - 45ON
Tue 11/18 Massachusetts at Ohio+34.553.5L 14 - 42OY
Tue 11/25 Massachusetts vs Bowling Green+14.044.5L 14 - 45ON

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 2, Poor 7
Played: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 5
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 5

Predictions for Massachusetts'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
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
UMASS#69 (.19)41% (94)11.143% (78)3.1 (50)16438% (110)1823.73 (89)#114 (.26)46% (116)38.651% (128)40% (71)4.66 (129)63.20.80.8
 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
NIU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UMASS0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Offense1317.116.342.1%3.391.2213832041794.859%41%44%40%15%.16
UMASS Defense1238.634.746.3%4.660.8 - - - - - 60%39%51%40%14%.26
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
NIU Defense1324.327.837.7%3.081.1 - - - - - 49%51%41%35%17%.06
UMASS Offense1211.112.840.8%3.730.8203461641824.156%44%43%38%17%.19

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
Northern Illinois1333:2021.542%45%4.242.81.21.15.42.5130.4
Massachusetts1232:1919.738%58%7.363.20.80.84.11.3125.4
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
NIU Offense1359% (11)44% (72)42.8204.24.822 (55).14 (66)3.25 (33)72% (83)9% (60)1 (54)
UMASS Defense1260% (133)51% (128) - - - - .25 (125)3.51 (131)87% (131)8% (113)0.95 (52)
 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
NIU Defense1349% (44)41% (52) - - - - .08 (45)3.06 (79)74% (73)11% (53)0.9 (33)
UMASS Offense1256% (27)43% (78)40.21644.118 (78).16 (53)3.1 (50)74% (62)11% (95)0.96 (68)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
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)
UMASS Defense1239% (2)40% (71) - - - - - - 6 (109).29 (100)1.7 (112)28% (118)28% (29).27 (51)6% (72)2.1 (89)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
NIU Defense1351% (93)35% (9) - - - - - - 9 (76).04 (4)1.5 (55)36% (15)25% (10).18 (16)7% (37)2 (67)
UMASS Offense1244% (109)38% (110)15.627.3181.86.711.714 (108)6 (10).23 (81)1.7 (22)33% (87)32% (57).34 (69)6% (80)2 (98)

Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -20.21  #131
Northern Illinois's Offense Rating: 1.81  #131
Northern Illinois's Defense Rating: 22.02  #122
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

Power Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -20.21   Massachusetts: -28.965

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Northern Illinois: -16.7   Massachusetts: -36.6




Massachusetts's Power Ratings
Massachusetts's Power Rating: -28.965  #137
Massachusetts's Offense Rating: -0.22  #136
Massachusetts's Defense Rating: 26.11  #134
2025 Talent Rating: 540.00  #109
Blue Chip Ratio: 0  #101
Massachusetts's 2025 Expected Record: 0.0 - 12.0
Massachusetts's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -36.6  #136
Massachusetts's Offense SP+ Rating: 7.8  #136
Massachusetts's Defense SP+ Rating: 42.8  #136

Average Talent
Average Mid-American Talent Rating is 571
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.76


Northern Illinois Scoring
Offense: 17.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 16.3
Defense: 24.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.8

Northern Illinois's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 9
Record vs Spread: 3 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record on Road: 1 - 5
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 4 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 2 - 3 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 1 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Northern Illinois 28
Massachusetts 17


Projected Total Points: 45
Massachusetts Scoring
Offense: 11.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 12.8
Defense: 38.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 34.7

Massachusetts's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 12
Record vs Spread: 3 - 9 - 0
Over/Under Record: 9 - 3
Record at home: 0 - 6
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 5 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 3 - 8 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 4 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/12Massachusetts3Northern Illinois45Northern Illinois -8.5Northern Illinois43.5Over
202410/05Northern Illinois34Massachusetts20Northern Illinois -14Push41.0Over
201311/02Massachusetts19Northern Illinois63Northern Illinois -24Northern Illinois0
201211/03Northern Illinois63Massachusetts0
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Massachusetts002 Overs
Northern Illinois420 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 20 - 20 - 00 - 2
Road Teams2 - 22 - 02 - 00 - 0

(#131) NIU at (#137) UMASS
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatNIUUMASS
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #131 #137
SP+SP+ #128 #136
Perf GradeGrade #116 #136
OffenseOff #117 #136
DefenseDef #105 #130
Spec TeamsST #88 #123
TalentTal #113 #109
Blue ChipsBC% #101 #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
Massachusetts Notes
(11/4) Killed by Akron, 169 total yds, 3 TOs. Worst FBS
(10/31) Worst program in CFB, but fair everyone is hurt
(10/31) UMass disgrace to MAC, should drop to FCS
(10/30) Only competitive in 2 games & 1 was L to Bryant
(10/24) 13 starters from Week 1 are out now.
(10/15) Have not scored 7+ points in any game over a month
(10/12) Blown out by Kent? UMass is worst team in CFB
(10/12) There is nothing here to like or fear. Mid FCS at best
(9/25) DBs are extremely banged up, moving CB to S
(9/25) 17 pts vs 2 FBS teams, 0 in the 2nd half
(9/25) QB1 B Rose is out, Hairston & Jordan playing
(8/30) Killed by Temple? Barely 300 yds, gave up 450+
Massachusetts Injury Report
Northern Illinois on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffUMASS Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #117 #130
SuccessSuc #79 #116
ExplosiveExp #96 #41
PPAPPA #86 #114
PowerPwr #131 #134
SP+SP+ #135 #136
Pts POPPO #113 #129
HavocHav #44 #106
Northern Illinois Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffUMASS Def
Run GameRun #64 #117
Run SuccessRSuc #72 #128
Run ExplRExp #54 #52
PPAExp #66 #125
Run BlockR Blk #79 -
OL YdsOLY #33 #131
Stuff RateStuff #14 #131
TackleTak -  #78
Northern Illinois Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffUMASS Def
Pass GamePass #136 #135
Pass SuccessPSuc #86 #71
Pass ExplPExl #58 #112
PPAExp #84 #100
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #114 #60
F7 HavocF7 #60 #113
DB HavocDB #39 #72
Massachusetts on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatUMASS OffNIU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #136 #105
SuccessSuc #94 #19
ExplosiveExp #72 #37
PPAPPA #69 #11
PowerPwr #136 #122
SP+SP+ #136 #74
Pts POPPO #89 #12
HavocHav #95 #48
Massachusetts Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
UMASS OffNIU Def
Run GameRun #134 #108
Run SuccessRSuc #78 #52
Run ExplRExp #68 #33
PPAExp #53 #45
Run BlockR Blk #109 -
OL YdsOLY #50 #79
Stuff RateStuff #38 #104
TackleTak -  #9
Massachusetts Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 54%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatUMASS OffNIU Def
Pass GamePass #112 #94
Pass SuccessPSuc #110 #9
Pass ExplPExl #22 #55
PPAExp #81 #4
Pass Block/RushP Blk #134 #100
F7 HavocF7 #95 #53
DB HavocDB #80 #37
Program Comparison
UMASS 5 Year Profile: Consistent Poor G5
'25 Profile: Remains Poor G5

NIU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'25 Profile: Up to Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 12
Northern Illinois 8.5 (43.5)
Northern Illinois won at Massachusetts this year (45-3)

Previous Matchups
Northern Illinois beat Massachusetts last year (45-3)
Northern Illinois beat Massachusetts in 2024 (34-20)

  
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

UMASS's OC Mike Bajakian (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
AJ Hairston10721650%957444.4
Grant Jordan (Tr)6311057%595325.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Brandon Hood (Tr)9836823.890
Rocko Griffin (Tr)5324524.643
Elijah Faulkner4011402.914
Juwuan Price2610103.927
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jacquon Gibson6361609.850
Donnie Gray (Tr)2726009.641
Max Dowling (Tr)20199310.077
Jake McConnachie (Tr)1614409.021

View Massachusetts's Full Roster

UMASS's DC Jared Keyte (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyler Martin973002
Derrieon Craig781112
Zeraun Daniel (Tr)753002
Timmy Hinspeter (Tr)694222
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marques White4311531
David Onuoha (Tr)425320
Timmy Hinspeter (Tr)694222
Tim Grant-Randall273221
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyler Martin973002
Brennen Bailey181002
Derrieon Craig781112