The Northern Illinois Huskies (7-5) take on the Fresno State Bulldogs (6-6) on Monday, December 23rd at 3:30 PM ET in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. Both teams have lost key players to the transfer portal, mainly on the offensive side of the ball. In addition, the Huskies and the Bulldogs have had two very different seasons to get to this bowl game. This is a rematch of the 2010 bowl game in Boise that saw the Huskies win 40-17.
Transfers Out Highlight the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Key Offensive Player Departed
Like many other teams that made bowl games this season, key players have left for the transfer portal to find new homes for the 2025 season. Northern Illinois finished the season 7-5 after a huge upset win over Notre Dame early in the season. The quarterback play of Ethan Hampton kept the Huskies within reach during each of their five losses this season. Northern Illinois’ largest loss margin was 11 points to Miami (OH) in mid-November. Hampton entered the transfer portal at the end of the season and will suit up for Illinois in 2025.
On Monday, Josh Holst will take over for Hampton in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The redshirt freshman played in six games this season and threw for 411 yards. He has zero touchdown passes and one interception. While he doesn’t have a touchdown through the air yet this season, he did rush for one score and a total of 165 yards. That is more rushing yards than Hampton on 20 fewer carries. Holst is going to be a player to watch in this contest.
Stability is Key for Northern Illinois
Holst will have to lean on his legs and his running backs against Fresno State. Northern Illinois’ leading receiver also entered the transfer portal and won’t be available for this contest. Trayvon Rudolph tallied a team-leading 392 receiving yards this season. Holst will still have the second-leading receiver, Cam Thompson. The sophomore led the receivers this season with three receiving touchdowns and in yards per catch with 14. Finally, Holst will have his rushers for this one. Gavin Williams and Antario Brown are expected to suit up. The two combined for 1,308 rushing yards this season and 10 total touchdowns. Overall, Holst has the bulk of his offense at his disposal.
Lucky for Northern Illinois, all but one player that is expected to suit up for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl has at least one start this season.
Fresno State Offense at a Great Disadvantage
The Bulldogs have their head coach for the 2025 season. Matt Entz was named the leader of this squad for next year. The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl will be the final game for interim head coach Tim Skipper. Like Northern Illinois, Fresno State is without its starting quarterback for this game. Mikey Keene entered the transfer portal after the regular season along with two of the top three receivers. Unlike the Huskies, the Bulldogs’ next two quarterbacks haven’t seen much playing time in 2024. Joshua Wood and Jayden Mandal combined for eight pass attempts this season and only three completions.
Whoever gets the start in this contest will have their work cut out for them. Especially without Jalen Moss and Raylen Sharpe to throw to. Interestingly enough, leading receiver Mac Dalena is expected to suit up. Even though he is leaving for the NFL after this season, all signs point to Dalena playing at least some of this contest. If he plays, Dalena will help these inexperienced quarterbacks face a tough, and mostly intact, Huskies defense. The running backs for the Bulldogs are playing, however, they haven’t been overly effective this season. That shows in Keene’s passing numbers for 2024. Elijah Gilliam may not have much production on the ground by way of yards and yards per carry, however, he does come into this contest with eight touchdowns. If either Wood or Mandal can get the Bulldogs down the field, look for Gilliam near the end zone.
Both Teams Depleted for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Northern Illinois and Fresno State are depleted by the transfer portal, like many other teams this bowl season. This game is going to come down to whichever team can adapt and overcome. The Huskies have a roster that has played and started several games this season, whereas the Bulldogs will be leaning on some unproven talent. Both defenses lost top production, but also have some playmakers staying for this game. The pressure will be on the offenses to get the ball moving. Northern Illinois looks to have the edge in this category, even by just a small margin. This will be a game of pieces, and which team can put those pieces together to get a win.
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