NIU Football vs Fresno State Bulldogs Football Match Player Stats: Complete Game Analysis
The NIU football vs Fresno State Bulldogs football match player stats reveal how Northern Illinois secured a dramatic victory in the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The game took place at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho, and it finished with Northern Illinois defeating Fresno State 28–20 in double overtime.
The matchup attracted strong attention from college football fans because both teams had productive seasons. Northern Illinois Huskies, a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC), faced Fresno State Bulldogs, a leading team in the Mountain West Conference (MWC). The game turned into one of the most exciting bowl games of the season due to its comeback storyline and overtime finish.
This article explains the full player stats, team statistics, top performers, and turning points that decided the outcome of the match.
Quick Match Overview
| Match Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 2024 |
| Location | Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho |
| Date | December 2024 |
| Teams | Northern Illinois Huskies vs Fresno State Bulldogs |
| Final Score | NIU 28 – Fresno State 20 |
| Overtime | Double Overtime |
| Winning Team | Northern Illinois |
Fresno State dominated the first half and led 13–3 at halftime. However, Northern Illinois controlled the second half through longer drives and strong rushing plays.
NIU vs Fresno State Team Statistics
Team statistics show why Northern Illinois won the game even though Fresno State had a strong passing performance.
| Team Stats | Northern Illinois | Fresno State |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 368 | 328 |
| Passing Yards | 188 | 217 |
| Rushing Yards | 180 | 111 |
| First Downs | 24 | 17 |
| Third Down Conversions | 8 | 4 |
| Time of Possession | 39:14 | 20:46 |
| Penalties | 5 | 7 |
Key Observations from the Stats
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NIU controlled the ball for nearly 40 minutes.
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NIU produced more rushing yards than Fresno State.
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Fresno State had slightly more passing yards.
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NIU converted double the third downs compared to Fresno State.
Possession time and rushing efficiency played a major role in the final result.
Northern Illinois Huskies Player Stats
Northern Illinois used a balanced offense with contributions from multiple players.
NIU Passing Leaders
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Passing Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Holst | 14 | 26 | 188 | 1 | 0 |
| George Dimopoulos | 2 | 4 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
Josh Holst played a major role in the victory. His passing accuracy and calm decision-making helped NIU move the ball during crucial drives.
NIU Rushing Leaders
| Player | Attempts | Yards |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Holst | 15 | 65 |
| Telly Johnson Jr. | 11 | 54 |
| Jaylen Poe | 8 | 39 |
Northern Illinois relied heavily on its rushing attack. The team recorded 180 total rushing yards, which helped maintain long drives and control the clock.
NIU Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson Barnes | 4 | 59 | 1 |
| Dane Pardridge | 5 | 48 | 0 |
| Jake Appleget | 3 | 41 | 0 |
Wide receiver Grayson Barnes became the hero of the game. He caught the game-winning touchdown pass in double overtime.
See Also: Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles Match Player Stats: Full Breakdown of Player Performance
Fresno State Bulldogs Player Stats
Fresno State started the game strongly with a productive passing offense.
Fresno State Passing Leaders
| Player | Completions | Attempts | Passing Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Wood | 21 | 34 | 217 | 1 | 1 |
| Jayden Mandal | 2 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
Quarterback Joshua Wood led the Bulldogs offense and recorded over 200 passing yards.
Fresno State Rushing Leaders
| Player | Attempts | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryson Donelson | 12 | 63 | 1 |
| Joshua Wood | 7 | 26 | 0 |
Running back Bryson Donelson scored Fresno State’s rushing touchdown in the first half.
Fresno State Receiving Leaders
| Player | Receptions | Yards |
|---|---|---|
| Mac Dalena | 7 | 89 |
| Jordan Brown | 5 | 64 |
| Bryson Donelson | 3 | 27 |
Receiver Mac Dalena produced the most receiving yards for Fresno State.
Game Timeline and Key Moments
First Half
Fresno State started the game aggressively.
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Bulldogs scored early and built a 13–3 halftime lead.
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Northern Illinois struggled to finish drives.
Third Quarter
Northern Illinois improved its rushing strategy.
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Huskies increased ball control.
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Huskies reduced Fresno State’s offensive possessions.
Fourth Quarter
Northern Illinois scored a late touchdown to tie the game.
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Score became 20–20.
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The game moved into overtime.
Overtime
The first overtime ended with both teams scoring.
In the second overtime, NIU executed a trick play. Quarterback Josh Holst threw a touchdown pass to Grayson Barnes, sealing the victory.
Top Performers of the Game
1. Josh Holst (Northern Illinois)
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188 passing yards
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65 rushing yards
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Game-winning overtime play
2. Grayson Barnes (Northern Illinois)
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59 receiving yards
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Game-winning touchdown
3. Dane Pardridge (Northern Illinois)
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Reliable short receptions
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Important third-down catches
4. Mac Dalena (Fresno State)
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89 receiving yards
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Big plays in the first half
5. Bryson Donelson (Fresno State)
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63 rushing yards
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One rushing touchdown
These players played the most important roles in the outcome of the match.
Why Northern Illinois Won the Game
Several statistical factors explain the NIU victory.
1. Time of Possession
Northern Illinois controlled the ball for 39 minutes, which limited Fresno State’s opportunities.
2. Strong Running Game
The Huskies gained 180 rushing yards, which helped maintain long drives.
3. Third Down Efficiency
NIU converted 8 third-down attempts, twice as many as Fresno State.
4. Overtime Execution
Northern Illinois made better decisions during overtime and successfully executed the final scoring play.
Head-to-Head History Between NIU and Fresno State
Northern Illinois and Fresno State rarely face each other because they play in different conferences.
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Northern Illinois Huskies – Mid-American Conference
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Fresno State Bulldogs – Mountain West Conference
The 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl became one of the most memorable meetings between these teams.
Key Stats Summary List
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Final Score: NIU 28 – Fresno State 20
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Game Type: Double Overtime
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Total Yards Leader: Northern Illinois
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Passing Leader: Joshua Wood (Fresno State)
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Rushing Leader: Josh Holst (Northern Illinois)
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Receiving Leader: Mac Dalena (Fresno State)
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Winning Touchdown: Grayson Barnes
Read Also: Chicago Cubs vs Houston Astros Match Player Stats: Complete Breakdown of Player Performance
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the NIU vs Fresno State football game?
Northern Illinois defeated Fresno State 28–20 in double overtime in the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Who was the best player in the NIU vs Fresno State match?
Quarterback Josh Holst was one of the most important players. He recorded passing and rushing yards and led the winning overtime drive.
Which Fresno State player had the most receiving yards?
Wide receiver Mac Dalena led Fresno State with 89 receiving yards.
Why did Northern Illinois win the game?
Northern Illinois won because of better rushing yards, longer possession time, and efficient third-down conversions.
Where was the NIU vs Fresno State bowl game played?
The game took place at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho, during the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Conclusion
The niu football vs fresno state bulldogs football match player stats show a clear story of comeback and strategy. Fresno State began the game strongly with effective passing. Northern Illinois responded with strong rushing, long possessions, and better overtime execution.
Players such as Josh Holst, Grayson Barnes, Dane Pardridge, Mac Dalena, and Bryson Donelson shaped the most important moments of the game. The statistics confirm that Northern Illinois won because of balanced offense and superior control of the football.
The game remains one of the most exciting college football bowl matchups of the season.
