Kent State at Northern Illinois - 2025 Matchup Preview
Kent State logo   Kent State Golden Flashes at Northern Illinois Huskies  Northern Illinois logo
Friday, November 28th 2025 (12:00 PM EST)
Northern Illinois -5.0 (45.0) (-220)  Open: -5.0 | 45.0
Kent State 35 - Northern Illinois: 31  (Mid-American)

 
Golden Flashes (5 - 7) (7 - 5 - 0)
Coach Kenni Burns (1 - 23)
Avg Score : 21 - 34 (18 - 43 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#86)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
NIU 2nd straight Home Game
NIU is playing their 4th straight game
KENT is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Northern Illinois -3.5  (SP+ NIU -3)

Projected Score: KENT: 22 - NIU: 25 (47)
NIU Win prob: 63% | Cover: 48%
KENT Travel: 390 miles, 1 hrs ahead
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: 0) (Bad: 1)
 
Kent State's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Kent State vs Merrimack-5.550.5W 21 - 17UN
Sat 9/6 Kent State at Texas Tech+48.560.0L 14 - 62OY
Sat 9/13 Kent State vs Buffalo+23.548.5L 28 - 31OY
Sat 9/20 Kent State at Florida State+44.556.5L 10 - 66ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 Kent State at Oklahoma+46.553.5L 0 - 44UY
Sat 10/11 Kent State vs Massachusetts-1.549.5W 42 - 6UY
Sat 10/18 Kent State at Toledo+25.548.5L 10 - 45ON
Sat 10/25 Kent State vs Bowling Green+7.547.5W 24 - 21UY
BYE WEEK
Wed 11/5 Kent State at Ball State+3.048.5L 13 - 17UN
Tue 11/11 Kent State at Akron+7.549.5W 42 - 35OY
Wed 11/19 Kent State vs Central Michigan+7.550.5L 16 - 28UN
Fri 11/28 Kent State at Northern Illinois+5.045.0W 35 - 31OY

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

Predictions for Kent State'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: 1, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 5
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 4
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 3, Bad: 2, Poor: 2

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
KENT#131 (.01)30% (134)21.333% (132)2.57 (128)7829% (134)1552.89 (130)#133 (.35)50% (131)33.650% (123)51% (130)4.34 (115)35.71.70.9
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
KENT0%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
KENT Offense1221.317.730.5%2.891.713233781552.447%51%33%29%28%.01
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
KENT Defense1233.642.950.1%4.340.9 - - - - - 55%45%50%51%12%.35
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
Kent State1226:5212.919%38%4.835.71.70.94.71.5027.2
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
KENT Offense1247% (91)33% (132)32.377.52.43 (134)-.07 (132)2.57 (128)61% (123)19% (134)0.95 (72)
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
KENT Defense1255% (113)50% (123) - - - - .3 (132)3.58 (133)81% (115)8% (111)1.13 (122)
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
KENT Offense1251% (54)29% (134)11.624.5155.46.313.418 (68)13 (103).14 (109)2.1 (2)41% (134)19% (134).11 (132)8% (128)2.7 (1)
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
KENT Defense1245% (25)51% (130) - - - - - - 4 (125).41 (126)1.5 (23)28% (124)38% (127).42 (109)4% (127)1.8 (15)
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)

Kent State's Power Ratings
Kent State's Power Rating: -19.68  #130
Kent State's Offense Rating: 2.18  #129
Kent State's Defense Rating: 21.86  #121
2025 Talent Rating: 516.00  #115
Blue Chip Ratio: 0%  #101
Kent State's 2025 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
Kent State's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -19.3  #130
Kent State's Offense SP+ Rating: 17.0  #125
Kent State's Defense SP+ Rating: 34.9  #120

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -19.68   Northern Illinois: -15.955

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kent State: -19.3   Northern Illinois: -16.7




Northern Illinois's Power Ratings
Northern Illinois's Power Rating: -15.955  #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


Kent State Scoring
Offense: 21.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 17.7
Defense: 33.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 42.9

Kent State's 2025 Record
Record: 5 - 7
Record vs Spread: 7 - 5 - 0
Over/Under Record: 6 - 6
Record on Road: 2 - 5
Record vs Spread on Road: 4 - 3 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 6 - 4 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 4 - 3 - 0
Projected Score
Northern Illinois 25
Kent State 22


Projected Total Points: 47
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
202511/28Northern Illinois31Kent State35Northern Illinois -5.0Kent State45.0Over
202311/25Kent State27Northern Illinois37Northern Illinois -20.5Kent State44.5Over
202111/03Kent State52Northern Illinois47Kent State -3.5Kent State72.0Over
202112/04Northern Illinois41Kent State23Kent State -3.5Northern Illinois75.5Under
201710/07Northern Illinois24Kent State3Northern Illinois -23.5Kent State44.5Under
201611/25Kent State21Northern Illinois31Northern Illinois -5Northern Illinois45.5Over
201410/04Northern Illinois17Kent State14Northern Illinois -22Kent State0
201310/05Kent State24Northern Illinois38Northern Illinois -9.5Northern Illinois0
201211/30Kent State37Northern Illinois44
201110/08Northern Illinois40Kent State10
200811/18Kent State14Northern Illinois42
200711/10Northern Illinois27Kent State20
200510/22Kent State3Northern Illinois34
200209/28Northern Illinois13Kent State6
200110/13Kent State44Northern Illinois34
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Northern Illinois1234 Overs
Kent State352 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams8 - 73 - 51 - 32 - 2
Road Teams7 - 85 - 32 - 23 - 1

(#130) KENT at (#131) NIU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatKENTNIU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #130 #131
SP+SP+ #130 #128
Perf GradeGrade #128 #116
OffenseOff #119 #117
DefenseDef #126 #105
Spec TeamsST #116 #88
TalentTal #115 #113
Blue ChipsBC% #101 #101
Kent State Notes
(11/28) Beat NIU to finish 4-3. Incredible job by Mark Carney
(11/5) Coaching malpractice by Carney vs Ball St
(11/5) Blew game vs Ball St. Coaching & stupidity
(10/31) Huge W over BG, but BG had no one at QB
(10/31) WR Cade Wolford a name to know, 26.3 ypc, 6 TD
(10/31) QB Deshields can play, just so bad on OL/DL
(10/30) Mark Carney interim no more, permanent HC
(9/13) Off much improved vs Buffalo. Impressive
(9/10) Two QB system w/ Deshields and Montes. Meh
(9/6) Physically does not look like FBS level ball
(8/30) QB DeShields/Montes meh, Run Off awful
(4/11) HC Burns fired, OC Carney Int HC for '25
Kent State Injury Report
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
Kent State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffNIU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #119 #105
SuccessSuc #134 #19
ExplosiveExp #1 #37
PPAPPA #131 #11
PowerPwr #129 #122
SP+SP+ #125 #74
Pts POPPO #130 #12
HavocHav #134 #48
Kent State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffNIU Def
Run GameRun #128 #108
Run SuccessRSuc #132 #52
Run ExplRExp #72 #33
PPAExp #132 #45
Run BlockR Blk #96 -
OL YdsOLY #128 #79
Stuff RateStuff #126 #104
TackleTak -  #9
Kent State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 46%, Run: 52%
CategoryCat
KENT OffNIU Def
Pass GamePass #108 #94
Pass SuccessPSuc #134 #9
Pass ExplPExl #2 #55
PPAExp #109 #4
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #136 #100
F7 HavocF7 #134 #53
DB HavocDB #128 #37
Northern Illinois on Offense
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatNIU OffKENT Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerf #117 #126
SuccessSuc #79 #131
ExplosiveExp #96 #79
PPAPPA #86 #133
PowerPwr #131 #121
SP+SP+ #135 #120
Pts POPPO #113 #115
HavocHav #44 #127
Northern Illinois Run Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCat
NIU OffKENT Def
Run GameRun #64 #122
Run SuccessRSuc #72 #123
Run ExplRExp #54 #122
PPAExp #66 #132
Run BlockR Blk #79 -
OL YdsOLY #33 #133
Stuff RateStuff #14 #133
TackleTak -  #98
Northern Illinois Pass Game
Very Run heavy Offense 65%, Pass: 34%
CategoryCatNIU OffKENT Def
Pass GamePass #136 #132
Pass SuccessPSuc #86 #130
Pass ExplPExl #58 #23
PPAExp #84 #126
Pass Block/RushP Blk #114 #58
F7 HavocF7 #60 #111
DB HavocDB #39 #127
Program Comparison
NIU 5 Year Profile: Declining Below Avg G5
'25 Profile: Up to Poor G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Brigham Field at Huskie Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Rematch from Week 14
Northern Illinois -5.0 (45.0)
Kent State won at Northern Illinois this year (35-31)

Previous Matchups
Kent State beat Northern Illinois last year (35-31)
Northern Illinois beat Kent State in 2023 (37-27)

  
KENT's OC Mark Carney (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Dru Deshields13624057%20301838.5
CJ Montes (Tr)101953%140117.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Gavin Garcia14664734.445
Jordan Nubin (Tr)7925313.225
Jahzae Kimbrough399702.512
Cade Wolford129718.131
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cade Wolford19509726.879
Dashawn Martin33507415.475
Wayne Harris35383110.942
Ardell Banks12205217.138

View Kent State's Full Roster

KENT's DC Kody Morgan (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mason Woods9411231
CJ Young898323
Joel Cordoba662011
Jaire Rawlison522106
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jamond Mathis (Tr)288663
CJ Young898323
Jelani Davis (Tr)244340
Mason Woods9411231
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaire Rawlison522106
Terrell Miller301006
Jamond Mathis (Tr)288663

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