Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Northern Illinois

Before the Wolfpack and the Huskies take the field today at Noon, let’s preview NC State’s opponent: Northern Illinois.

The Huskies enter the contest with a 2-1 record.

In their first game, Northern Illinois beat Western Illinois 54-15. Redshirt Junior Quarterback Ethan Hampton had an insane game, completing 18 of 20 for 328 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Huskies rushed for 328 yards in the contest, with Senior Antario Brown leading the charge with 8 carries for 69 yards. As a team, they had a whopping 706 yards of total offense, and held Western Illinois to 298 yards.

In Game 2, Northern Illinois won the biggest game in school history, beating Notre Dame 16-14, who was #5 in the nation at the time, in South Bend. The Huskies defense held the Irish to 286 yards of total offense, and they produced 388 yards of total offense themselves. Hampton was 10 of 19 for 198 yards and 1 touchdown. Brown rushed for 99 yards on 20 carries, and had 126 yards receiving on 2 receptions with 1 touchdown. They turned the Irish over twice, and managed to protect the ball on their end.

Through 2 games, Northern Illinois was winning the turnover battle 3-0.

Heading into their 3rd game, Northern Illinois was the 23rd ranked team in the nation, marking the first time the Huskies had been nationally ranked since 2013 (as high as 16th on 12/1).

Game 3 was a different story against Buffalo, falling to the Bulls 20-23. They lost the turnover battle 1-2. Hampton looked more human, completing 23 of 43 for 194 yards with 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Brown managed to rush for 2 touchdowns, but he only averaged 3.5 yards per carry (73 yards) on 24 carries.

Here’s a team stats comparison of NC State and Northern Illinois.

NIU Running Back Antario Brown earned 1st Team All-MAC honors last year, rushing for 1,296 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging a whopping 6.1 yards per carry. Currently, he is the Huskies’ leading rusher (241 yards) and receiver (193 yards).

Senior Cornerback JaVaughn Byrd earned 2nd Team All-MAC honors last year, posting 32 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions and 5 pass breakups.

This is Hampton’s first year as a starter at Northern Illinois since arriving in 2021. Prior to this season, Hampton had played in 11 games, starting in 4.

Senior Linebacker Christian Fuhrman leads NIU with 19 tackles.

Senior Defensive Tackle Devonte O’Malley leads the team in tackles for loss with 3.5.

Junior Defensive Tackle Neveah Sanders (backup) leads the team with 3 sacks.

Backup Junior Cornerback Jacob Finley leads the team with 3 pass breakups.

Top PFF Graded Players on Offense

QB Ethan Hampton – 74.2

RB Antario Brown – 72.4

C Logan Zchernitz – 72.2

G J.J. Lippe – 71.4

G John Champe – 70.8

Top PFF Graded Players on Defense

DT Skyler Gill-Howard (backup) – 88.1

CB JaVaughn Byrd – 75.6

LB Jaden Dolphin – 75.0

S Nate Valcarcel – 74.0

DE Roy Williams – 70.9