Northern Illinois took its first-ever trek to Starkville, MS, hoping to do exactly what the last MAC team to travel there did. Mississippi State dropped a 41-17 contest to Toledo last September, and the Huskies were ready to double-down and produce another “Boneyard Win.”
But a vastly-improved Mississippi State squad sitting on the fringe of the rankings proved its mettle against the feisty Huskies. The Bulldogs were the top dog in Starkville on Saturday night, coasting past NIU in 38-10 fashion as a chorus
of cowbells applauded Mississippi State’s revenge on the MAC.
Northern Illinois finally snapped its 6-game streak of holding opponents to 20 points or fewer and its 19-game streak of holding opponents to 30 points or fewer. Mississippi State became the first team to drop as many as 38 points on the Huskies since Nov. 26, 2022 when Akron scored 44 in a regular season finale.
Even though several streaks faded, the Huskies’ defense showed its usual effort in a standup first half, limiting the Bulldogs to three punts and two touchdowns. Northern Illinois got on board first with an Andrew Glass first quarter field goal, and later in the period, Mississippi State took its first lead on a jet sweep to star wide receiver Brenen Thompson.
On the first play of the second quarter, NIU snatched back its lead. Josh Holst made an impressive on-the-run throw to DeAree Rogers on an end zone corner route. Holst’s first touchdown strike of the season went for 24 yards and handed the Huskies a 10-7 edge. However, Mississippi State responded to everything NIU did in the opening half. If the Huskies punted, the Bulldogs did too. If NIU scored, Mississippi State followed immediately. The maroon and white claimed a 14-10 lead on a methodical possession ending in a short touchdown delivery from Blake Shapen to tight end Seydou Traore.
Neither offense could budge for the final 11:31 of the second quarter, sending the game into halftime as a one-score contest. That’s when the Bulldogs started the cowbell concert. Mississippi State notched points on four consecutive drives with three touchdowns and a field goal. After the first touchdown to make it 21-10, Northern Illinois nearly sliced it back to a manageable deficit. However, Holst’s end zone lob to Rogers was intercepted by the high safety Isaac Smith. Next time NIU creeped into opposing territory, it trailed 24-10 in the early fourth quarter. Facing a 4th and 6 from the 40-yard line, Holst targeted Rogers and the receiver was spotted just short of the line to gain. The turnover on downs denied the Huskies an opportunity at a comeback and Mississippi State punched in two short rushing touchdowns to complete the four-touchdown victory.
Mississippi State (4-0, 0-0 SEC) sweeps its non-conference slate to start 4-0 for the first time since 2014 — the same season it rose to No. 1 in the country. The Bulldogs face their toughest task yet next week in Starkville as No. 15 Tennessee pays a visit. Northern Illinois (1-2, 0-0 MAC) remains in search of its first FBS win in 2025. The Huskies return to DeKalb to face San Diego State, as the 2021 MAC Championship Game head coaches Sean Lewis and Thomas Hammock square off once more.
