Venue & Game Information
Location: Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, MA
Kickoff: Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPNU
Weather Outlook
Forecast: Clear skies, temperatures in the upper 30s (°F) at kickoff
Wind: 7–10 mph, could affect deep passing and special teams
Impact: Cold conditions favor run-heavy offenses and field-position battles
Injury Report
Northern Illinois: WR depth limited due to minor ankle injuries; RB Chavon Wright probable despite lingering knee soreness.
UMass: QB AJ Hairston (shoulder) expected to play; RB Brandon Hood (hamstring) questionable.
Team Recent Form
Northern Illinois Huskies: Lost 42–3 to Toledo last week; offense ranks 135th nationally in points per game (12.2).
UMass Minutemen: Lost 44–10 to Akron; defense allows 36.8 points per game (130th nationally).
Player Matchups
QB Battle: Josh Holst (NIU) – 689 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT vs. AJ Hairston (UMass) – 866 yards, 4 TD, 4 INT.
RBs: Telly Johnson Jr. (NIU) – 579 yards, 3 TD, 5.6 YPC vs. Brandon Hood (UMass) – 315 yards, 2 TD.
WRs: DeAree Rogers (NIU) – 468 yards, 3 TD vs. Jacquon Gibson (UMass) – 393 yards.
Defense: NIU LB Quinton Urwiler – 110 tackles, 5 TFL vs. UMass LB Tyler Martin – 72 tackles.
Series History
Programs have met sparingly; NIU holds the edge in recent contests.
Both teams have struggled ATS, with NIU 2–7 and UMass 2–7 this season.
Betting Trends
NIU: 2–7 ATS this season; offense struggles to cover large spreads.
UMass: 2–7 ATS; defense consistently gives up 30+ points.
Under has hit in multiple NIU games due to offensive inefficiency.
Predicted Score: Northern Illinois 26 – UMass 16
Summary: Expect a low-scoring, grind-it-out MAC matchup. Northern Illinois has the stronger defense and rushing attack, while UMass continues to search for its first win. Field position and special teams will be decisive. The betting value leans toward UMass covering the spread and the Under.
Game Odds
Northern Illinois Huskies – 11
Massachusetts Minutemen 44.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Tuesday, November 11, 2025
