Venue & Game Details
Location: Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium, Athens, OH
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
Weather Forecast: ~63°F at kickoff, partly cloudy, light winds 5–8 mph,
Team Recent Form
Northern Illinois Huskies:
Last game: Lost 16–10 to Eastern Michigan.
Trend: Offense ranks 134th nationally (255.7 YPG) and 135th in scoring (10.8 PPG).
Strength: Defense is respectable, allowing 20.3 PPG (42nd nationally).
Ohio Bobcats:
Last game: Lost 20–14 to Ball State.
Trend: Offense averages 26.3 PPG with 408.8 YPG (56th nationally).
Strength: Balanced attack with a top-35 rushing game (194.7 YPG).
Injury Report
Northern Illinois: QB Josh Holst – Probable (376 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs this season). RB Telly Johnson Jr. – Healthy (395 yards, 2 TDs).
Ohio: QB Parker Navarro – Healthy (1,266 yards, 9 TDs, 4 INTs, plus 398 rushing yards, 3 TDs). RB Sieh Bangura – Healthy (481 yards, 4 TDs).
Key Player Matchups
QB Parker Navarro (Ohio): Dual-threat, averaging 211 passing YPG and 66 rushing YPG.
RB Sieh Bangura (Ohio): 481 yards, 4 TDs – faces NIU’s 90th-ranked rush defense.
WR Chase Hendricks (Ohio): 585 yards, 4 TDs – reliable deep threat.
QB Josh Holst (NIU): 376 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs – must avoid turnovers.
RB Telly Johnson Jr. (NIU): 395 yards, 2 TDs – lone bright spot on offense.
WR DeAree Rogers (NIU): 289 yards, 1 TD – top receiving option.
Series History
Ohio leads the all-time series 13–11.
Last meeting (2023): Ohio won 37–18.
NIU has not beaten Ohio since 2019.
Betting Trends
Ohio is 4-2 ATS this season.
NIU is 1-5 ATS.
Ohio games average 52.5 total points in last 3 (over trend).
NIU games average 42.7 total points in last 3 (right at line).
Historical Betting Results
Ohio is 2-1 SU as a favorite in 2025.
NIU is 0-4 SU as an underdog this season.
The Under has hit in 4 of NIU’s 6 games.
Ohio has covered in 2 of last 3 games.
Score Projection: Ohio 27 – Northern Illinois 10
Game Odds
Northern Illinois Huskies 42.5
Ohio Bobcats – 12
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, October 17, 2025
