Game Overview
• Date & Time: Friday, September 5, 2025 – Kickoff 7:30 p.m. ET
• Venue: SECU Stadium, 90 Stadium Drive, College Park, MD 20742
• Surface: FieldTurf
• Broadcast: Big Ten Network (BTN)
Weather Report (College Park, MD – Kickoff)
• Conditions: Mostly clear skies, warm evening
• Temperature: ~85°F (29°C) at kickoff, cooling into the upper 70s by the 4th quarter
• Wind: Light, ~5–7 mph from the southwest
• Precipitation: <10% chance — minimal weather impact expected
• Impact: Ideal passing and kicking conditions; heat may test depth in up‑tempo sequences
Injury Report
Northern Illinois Huskies
• QB Josh Holst – Probable (left briefly in Week 1, returned)
• No other major injuries reported
Maryland Terrapins
• RB Jambres Dubar – Out (undisclosed)
• K Colton Boomer – Questionable (lower body)
• WR Aaron Anderson – Probable (ankle)
Recent Team Form
Northern Illinois
• Narrow escape vs. FCS power Holy Cross; offense managed 101 pass yards, 77 rush yards from RB Chavon Wright, plus a 96‑yard KR TD by Dev’ion Reynolds.
• QB Josh Holst: 12/18, 101 YDS, 1 INT.
• Defense allowed just 218 total yards, 1 offensive TD.
Maryland
• True freshman QB Malik Washington debuted with 27/43, 258 YDS, 3 TD, 0 INT.
• WR Shaleak Knotts: 5 REC, 59 YDS, 1 TD.
• Defense forced 6 INTs (most since 1998) and added a safety; allowed 7 points.
Key Player Matchups
QB Josh Holst (NIU) vs. Maryland Secondary
• Holst’s efficiency will be tested by a ball‑hawking unit that picked off 6 passes in Week 1.
RB Chavon Wright (NIU) vs. Maryland Front Seven
• Wright’s burst (7.0 YPC in opener) is NIU’s best shot at controlling tempo; Terps allowed just 3.1 YPC vs. FAU.
QB Malik Washington (MD) vs. NIU Pass Rush
• NIU must generate pressure to disrupt the freshman’s rhythm; Washington showed poise and accuracy when kept clean.
Maryland WR Corps vs. NIU Corners
• Knotts, Kaleb Webb, and TE Dorian Fleming present size/speed mismatches if NIU loads the box.
Series History
• All-Time: Maryland leads 2–1
• First Meeting: 1996 – Maryland 30, NIU 6 (College Park)
• Last Meeting: 2004 – Maryland 23, NIU 20 (College Park)
• Note: NIU’s lone win came in 2003 (20–13, OT in DeKalb). All three games decided by 10 points or fewer.
Betting Trends
Northern Illinois
• 0–1 ATS in 2025
• Under in all games this season
• 1–7 SU in last 8 vs. FBS opponents
Maryland
• 1–0 ATS in 2025
• Won 16 straight non‑conference games (longest active FBS streak)
• 7 straight non‑conference wins by 14+ points
Suggested Wagering Model
Model Inputs:
• Maryland’s explosive skill talent vs. NIU’s conservative offensive approach
• NIU’s offensive line vs. Maryland’s athletic front seven
• Freshman QB variance for Maryland, but strong supporting cast and home field
• NIU’s special teams threat (KR TD in Week 1) as X‑factor
Game Odds
Northern Illinois Huskies 47.5
Maryland Terrapins – 16.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, September 4, 2025
