Mississippi State Bulldogs Prepare for Showdown with Northern Illinois Huskies

Starkville MS, September 20, 2025

News Summary

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are gearing up for an exciting football clash against the Northern Illinois Huskies in Starkville. Coming off a dominant 63-0 victory over Alcorn State, the Bulldogs are looking to maintain their unbeaten start to the season with a 4-0 record. Their opponents, the Huskies, are seeking redemption after a loss to Maryland. With several standout players to watch on both sides, anticipation is high for this match at Davis Wade Stadium.

Excitement Builds in Starkville as Mississippi State Bulldogs Gear Up for a Big Clash Against Northern Illinois

The charm of the south will light up on September 20, 2025, as Starkville, Mississippi, is all set for some electrifying college football action. The Mississippi State Bulldogs are ready to showcase their skills in front of an eager home crowd at Davis Wade Stadium. This Saturday, they will face off against the Northern Illinois Huskies in what promises to be an exciting contest.

A Strong Start for Mississippi State Bulldogs

The Bulldogs enter this game boasting an impressive 3-0 record. They come fresh off a phenomenal victory over Alcorn State, where they dominated the scoreboard with a stunning 63-0 win. The energy surrounding the team is palpable, especially as they look to achieve something they haven’t done since 2014: start the season with a perfect 4-0 record.

Last season was a tough one for the Bulldogs, as they struggled to keep their heads above water with a disappointing 2-10 record. However, this year, they started off with an exhilarating win against Arizona State, providing a much-needed boost to both the players and fans alike.

A Glimpse at Northern Illinois Huskies

On the flip side, Northern Illinois comes into this game with a 1-1 record after a tough loss to Maryland, which ended with a score of 20-9. Thankfully for the Huskies, they have had two weeks to regroup and prepare for a bounce-back performance against the Bulldogs.

The Huskies’ quarterback, Josh Holst, has thrown for 192 yards this season with one interception and a completion rate of 65%. On the ground, they have some exciting talent as Chavon Wright leads the rush with 167 yards and a touchdown, while Telly Johnson Jr. has added 153 rushing yards along with another touchdown. In the receiving game, DeAree Rogers stands out with 10 catches for 89 yards.

Bulldogs’ Players to Watch

As for the Bulldogs, their quarterback Blake Shapen has had a stellar season so far, throwing for a whopping 724 yards, along with 6 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions. His completion percentage sits at an impressive 68.8%. Rushing leader Fluff Bothwell has amassed 170 yards and an amazing 4 touchdowns.

In the receiving department, Brenen Thompson is proving to be a powerful weapon with 15 receptions for 278 yards and 3 touchdowns. Another key player for Mississippi State is Anthony Evans III, leading with 17 catches for 210 yards and 2 touchdowns. On defense, the Bulldogs have been impressive so far, allowing fewer than 4 yards per carry, with a total of 4 sacks and 4 interceptions this season!

What’s at Stake for Both Teams?

This game is not just a chance for the Bulldogs to make history with a 4-0 start but also a critical opportunity for the Huskies to secure a much-needed victory after their previous loss. Mississippi State comes in favored by 21.5 points, showing the confidence in their ability to claim victory. The game will kick off at 4:15 PM ET and will be broadcast on the SEC Network and streamed live on Fubo.

Looking ahead, Mississippi State will seek to maintain their momentum as they get ready to face the formidable Tennessee Volunteers at home on September 27, 2025, while Northern Illinois has a home matchup against San Diego State after this game.

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Additional Resources

• Pick Dawgz: NIU vs. Mississippi State Prediction
• 247 Sports: Mississippi State vs. Northern Illinois Preview
• Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State Football News
• Wikipedia: Mississippi State Bulldogs Football
• Google Search: Mississippi State Huskies vs Northern Illinois

Author: STAFF HERE STARKVILLE WRITER

The STARKVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREstarkville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Starkville, Oktibbeha County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cotton District Arts Festival, Bulldog Bash, and Mississippi State University homecoming celebrations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Starkville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi State University Extension Service, plus leading businesses in education and agriculture that power the local economy such as Mississippi State University and Starkville Manufacturing. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.