Venue & Kickoff
Location: Huskie Stadium, DeKalb, Illinois
Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
Broadcast: CBS Sports Network
Weather Update
Late November in DeKalb typically brings temperatures in the low 40s°F, cloudy skies, and light winds. Cold conditions may favor the run game and limit passing efficiency.
Injury Report
Northern Illinois: QB Brady Davidson (limited), RB Chavon Wright (probable, ankle), WR Rickey Taylor Jr. (probable).
Kent State: QB Dru DeShields (healthy but inconsistent), RB Gavin Garcia (probable, minor leg issue), WR Wayne Harris (probable).
Team Recent Form
Kent State Golden Flashes: Lost 28–16 to Central Michigan; offense averaging 20.0 PPG, defense allowing 33.8 PPG.
Northern Illinois Huskies: Lost 35–19 to Western Michigan; offense averaging 15.8 PPG, defense allowing 23.4 PPG.
Player Matchups
QB Dru DeShields (Kent State): 1,823 yards, 16 TD, 2 INT vs. NIU secondary ranked 18th nationally in pass defense.
RB Gavin Garcia (Kent State): 496 yards, 2 TD vs. LB Quinton Urwiler (NIU): 121 tackles, 5 TFL.
WR Cade Wolford (Kent State): 465 yards, 7 TD vs. DB Jasper Beeler (NIU): 3 INT.
RB Chavon Wright (NIU): 690 yards, 3 TD vs. Kent State front seven allowing 181.8 rush yards/game.
Series History
Northern Illinois leads the all-time series, winning 12 of the last 13 meetings.
Kent State has covered the spread in 4 of the last 6 matchups.
Betting Trends
NIU: 3–8 ATS, 5 Overs in 11 games.
Kent State: 5–6 ATS, 5 Overs in 11 games.
Kent State is 4–2 ATS in last six vs. NIU.
Projected Score: Kent State 23, Northern Illinois 20.
Bottom Line: Expect a low-scoring, grind-it-out MAC finale. Kent State’s passing efficiency and improved run defense give them a live underdog profile, while NIU leans heavily on its rushing attack.
Game Odds
Kent State Golden Flashes 45
Northern Illinois Huskies – 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, November 27, 2025
