10 Incredible NIU Football vs Fresno State Bulldogs Football Match Player Stats Breakdown
The NIU football vs Fresno State Bulldogs football match player stats explain how Northern Illinois secured a 28–20 double overtime victory over Fresno State in the 2024 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. The game took place at Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho, and showed a clear contrast between possession-based offense and explosive passing plays.
The NIU football vs Fresno State Bulldogs football match player stats highlight a competitive overtime battle. Similar detailed breakdowns can be seen in games like Miami Heat Vs Boston Celtics match player stats, where player performance also decides outcomes.
Northern Illinois used time control, rushing strength, and third-down efficiency. Fresno State used vertical passing and early scoring drives. The statistical breakdown shows why Northern Illinois finished stronger.
Match Summary with Key Data
| Match Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Event | Famous Idaho Potato Bowl 2024 |
| Venue | Albertsons Stadium |
| Final Score | NIU 28 – Fresno State 20 |
| Game Type | Double Overtime |
| Halftime Score | Fresno State 13 – NIU 3 |
| Winning Team | Northern Illinois Huskies |
Fresno State led early. Northern Illinois dominated later phases and overtime.
Team Stats That Defined the Game
The team-level metrics provide the clearest explanation of the result.
| Stat Category | 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
- Northern Illinois controlled possession time by almost 20 minutes
- Northern Illinois gained 69 more rushing yards
- Fresno State gained more passing yards but fewer sustained drives
- Northern Illinois doubled third-down efficiency
These values show a possession-dominant win structure.
Northern Illinois Player Stats Breakdown
Northern Illinois used a multi-layer offensive system with quarterback mobility and balanced distribution.
Passing Performance
| Player | Comp | Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josh Holst | 14 | 26 | 188 | 1 | 0 |
| George Dimopoulos | 2 | 4 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
Josh Holst delivered efficient passing and maintained zero turnovers.
Rushing Performance
| Player | Attempts | Yards |
|---|---|---|
| Josh Holst | 15 | 65 |
| Telly Johnson Jr. | 11 | 54 |
| Jaylen Poe | 8 | 39 |
Northern Illinois created a three-player rushing rotation. This rotation increased time of possession.
Receiving Performance
| Player | Receptions | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson Barnes | 4 | 59 | 1 |
| Dane Pardridge | 5 | 48 | 0 |
| Jake Appleget | 3 | 41 | 0 |
Grayson Barnes recorded the game-winning touchdown in second overtime.
Fresno State Player Stats Breakdown
Fresno State relied on passing yard generation and early scoring drives.
Passing Performance
| Player | Comp | Att | Yards | TD | INT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Wood | 21 | 34 | 217 | 1 | 1 |
| Jayden Mandal | 2 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
Joshua Wood generated the highest passing yards in the game.
Rushing Performance
| Player | Attempts | Yards | TD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bryson Donelson | 12 | 63 | 1 |
| Joshua Wood | 7 | 26 | 0 |
Fresno State produced lower total rushing output, which reduced drive control.
Receiving Performance
| Player | Receptions | Yards |
|---|---|---|
| Mac Dalena | 7 | 89 |
| Jordan Brown | 5 | 64 |
| Bryson Donelson | 3 | 27 |
Mac Dalena delivered the largest receiving output for Fresno State.
10 Game-Deciding Stats from NIU vs Fresno State
These numbers define the outcome.
- NIU total yards: 368
- Fresno State total yards: 328
- NIU rushing yards: 180
- Fresno rushing yards: 111
- NIU possession time: 39:14
- Fresno possession time: 20:46
- NIU first downs: 24
- Fresno first downs: 17
- NIU third-down conversions: 8
- Fresno third-down conversions: 4
These values show control vs explosiveness dynamics.
Game Flow Breakdown
First Half Phase
Fresno State executed fast offensive drives.
- Produced 13 points before halftime
- Controlled early momentum
Second Half Adjustment
Northern Illinois shifted to a run-heavy approach.
- Increased possession duration
- Reduced Fresno State play frequency
Fourth Quarter Equalization
Northern Illinois tied the score 20–20.
- Converted key third downs
- Sustained long drives
Overtime Execution
Northern Illinois executed a trick-play touchdown pass.
- Quarterback: Josh Holst
- Receiver: Grayson Barnes
- Result: Game-winning score
Why Northern Illinois Dominated the Stats
Possession Advantage
Northern Illinois maintained 39 minutes possession, which limited opponent drives.
Rushing Control
Northern Illinois generated consistent rushing gains, which extended drives.
Conversion Efficiency
Northern Illinois converted twice as many third downs, increasing scoring opportunities.
Error Control
Northern Illinois recorded zero interceptions, while Fresno State recorded one.
Top Performers Based on Stats
Northern Illinois
- Josh Holst: dual-threat performance
- Grayson Barnes: game-winning reception
- Dane Pardridge: chain-moving receptions
Fresno State
- Joshua Wood: highest passing yards
- Mac Dalena: top receiving yards
- Bryson Donelson: rushing touchdown
Head-to-Head Context
Northern Illinois and Fresno State rarely meet due to conference alignment.
- Northern Illinois → Mid-American Conference (MAC)
- Fresno State → Mountain West Conference (MWC)
The bowl game created a cross-conference competitive matchup.
Key Statistical Summary
- Final Score: 28–20 (NIU win)
- Overtime: Double Overtime
- Leading Passer: Joshua Wood (217 yards)
- Leading Rusher: Josh Holst (65 yards)
- Leading Receiver: Mac Dalena (89 yards)
- Winning Play: Holst to Barnes touchdown
FAQs – NIU vs Fresno State Player Stats
Who won NIU vs Fresno State game?
Northern Illinois won 28–20 in double overtime.
Who had the most passing yards?
Joshua Wood recorded 217 passing yards.
Which player scored the winning touchdown?
Grayson Barnes scored the game-winning touchdown.
Why did NIU win statistically?
Northern Illinois won due to higher possession time, better rushing output, and stronger third-down efficiency.
Where was the game played?
The game was played at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho.
Final Analysis
The niu football vs fresno state bulldogs football match player stats confirm a structured outcome. Fresno State created early offensive pressure through passing. Northern Illinois applied possession control, rushing strength, and efficiency metrics to reverse the result.
The statistical evidence confirms that drive sustainability, time control, and execution in overtime determined the final outcome.
