N.C. State hosts Northern Illinois on Saturday in a matchup of teams trying to regroup from losses last weekend.
The Wolfpack (2-2) could use a win after blowouts against ranked Tennessee and Clemson teams over the last three games. And the Huskies (2-1) lost to Buffalo in overtime to fall out of the AP Top 25.
Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren began his head-coaching career at NIU in 2011-12, leading the Huskies to the second and third Mid-American Conference titles in program history and a 12-win season in his second year that included a trip to the Orange Bowl.
Doeren left to take over at N.C. State before the 2013 season.
- Time/TV: 11 a.m. Saturday, WGN-9.
- Line: N.C. State by 6½.
- Series: N.C. State leads 1-0.
Key matchup
NIU defense vs. N.C. State freshman QB CJ Bailey
The Huskies surrendered just 184 total yards in their loss and rank 15th in the FBS in total defense (256 yards per game) while allowing just 17.3 points per game. The Wolfpack offense has struggled to generate points in the two marquee losses, with the talented but inexperienced Bailey throwing for 204 yards and one score in his first career start against the Tigers.
Players to watch
NIU: RB Antario Brown. He had a big day in the upset of Notre Dame (99 rushing yards, 126 receiving with a TD catch) and scored twice in the loss to Buffalo.
N.C. State: WR KC Concepcion. He’s a big-play threat with a knack for getting to the end zone, but he hasn’t scored a touchdown since racking up three in the opening win against FCS Western Carolina.
Facts & figures
Bailey is the third true freshman to start at quarterback for N.C. State since the turn of the century. … N.C. State won 41-14 in 1997 in the only previous meeting. … NIU is 4-8 against Atlantic Coast Conference members, including wins at Boston College in 2023 and Georgia Tech in 2021. … N.C. State OL Anthony Belton won’t start after being ejected from the Clemson loss for spitting on a player.
