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Northern Illinois at Kent State

Saturday, November 25, 2023

Northern Illinois beat Kent State 37–⁠27. It was their 29th meeting; after it, Northern Illinois led the series 23–⁠6.

AwayNorthern Illinois7–⁠6 in 2023
37
HomeKent State1–⁠11 in 2023
27

Final at Dix Stadium, KentTV: ESPN+Attendance 5,427

At kickoff
35°F, clear, calmWeather: NOAA NCEI Integrated Surface Database; Portage County Airport (KPOV), 10 km from the stadium
Official
Jeremy ValentineGame officials: stats.ncaa.org box scores, via SportsDataverse

Scoring by quarter

TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Northern Illinois100141337
Kent State0173727

Standouts

Player stats

Northern Illinois

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Rocky Lombardi9/1818310
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Gavin Williams17103026
Antario Brown1189139
Trayvon Rudolph134034
Rocky Lombardi919211
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Kyle Thomas145045
Dane Pardridge144044
Trayvon Rudolph238029
Grayson Barnes226116
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Raishein Thomas10100
Tyler Jackson70.500
James Ester4010
DaRon Gilbert4000

Kent State

PassingC/AttYdsTDInt
Devin Kargman16/2925520
RushingCarYdsTDLong
Gavin Garcia2184031
Jaylen Thomas1022010
Luke Floriea113113
Andrew Glass1808
ReceivingRecYdsTDLong
Jameel Gardner Jr.3111150
Luke Floriea992117
Trell Harris352040
Justin Holmes1101
DefenseTklTFLSacksInt
Khali Saunders10000
Bryce Sheppert10000
Nick Giacolone5000
Stephen Daley5000

From CollegeFootballData’s box score. Names lead to each player’s page. ★ a career high on file.

Team stats

Northern IllinoisKent State
426Total yards366
183Passing yards253
243Rushing yards113
10.2Yards per pass8.7
6.1Yards per rush3.2
17First downs18
5–⁠12Third downs7–⁠15
1–⁠2Fourth downs1–⁠2
1Turnovers2
2–⁠10Penalties4–⁠20
29:56Possession30:04
1Sacks (by defense)0

Efficiency

Northern IllinoisKent State
46%Success rate39%
0.23EPA per play0.17
1.16Explosiveness1.64
0.11Rushing EPA−0.14
0.52Passing EPA0.59
19%Passing-down success42%
0.35First-down EPA−0.33
−0.03Second-down EPA0.30
0.62Third-down EPA1.14
24%Havoc by its defense12%

From CollegeFootballData.com: each offense’s efficiency, and the havoc each defense caused. The better side of each line is bold.

Before kickoff

Our ratings and the line, going in

Our ratings (scores only)

Northern Illinois 65% to win. Elo’s favorite won.

The line

Northern Illinois −18.5, over/under 44.5.

The last line on file before kickoff: the consensus line when the books publish one, otherwise a single major sportsbook’s.

Before kickoff, the win chances were Northern Illinois 92%, Kent State 8%. CollegeFootballData.com’s estimate from the point spread.

Every drive

Kent State end zoneNorthern Illinois end zoneQ1 Northern IllinoisField goal, 7 playsQ1 Kent StatePunt, 5 playsQ1 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 8 playsQ1 Kent StateTouchdown, 12 playsQ2 Northern IllinoisTurnover on downs, 5 playsQ2 Kent StatePunt, 3 playsQ2 Northern IllinoisFumble, 2 playsQ2 Kent StateTouchdown, 1 playQ2 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ2 Kent StateField goal, 12 playsQ2 Northern IllinoisPunt, 4 playsQ2 Kent StateEnd of half, 1 playQ3 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 3 playsQ3 Kent StateField goal, 10 playsQ3 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 10 playsQ3 Kent StatePunt, 3 playsQ3 Northern IllinoisMissed FG, 6 playsQ4 Kent StateTouchdown, 7 playsQ4 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 9 playsQ4 Kent StateTurnover on downs, 9 playsQ4 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 playsQ4 Kent StateFumble return TD, 1 play (Northern Illinois scores)
Solid bars scored; an outline in the other team’s color marks points the defense scored. Kent State drives left to right, Northern Illinois right to left.
  1. Q1 Northern IllinoisField goal, 7 plays, 56 yards
  2. Q1 Kent StatePunt, 5 plays, 11 yards
  3. Q1 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 8 plays, 81 yards
  4. Q1 Kent StateTouchdown, 12 plays, 77 yards
  5. Q2 Northern IllinoisTurnover on downs, 5 plays, 43 yards
  6. Q2 Kent StatePunt, 3 plays, 3 yards
  7. Q2 Northern IllinoisFumble, 2 plays, 7 yards
  8. Q2 Kent StateTouchdown, 1 play, 13 yards
  9. Q2 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 8 yards
  10. Q2 Kent StateField goal, 12 plays, 69 yards
  11. Q2 Northern IllinoisPunt, 4 plays, 15 yards
  12. Q2 Kent StateEnd of half, 1 play, −6 yards
  13. Q3 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 3 plays, 16 yards
  14. Q3 Kent StateField goal, 10 plays, 68 yards
  15. Q3 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 10 plays, 73 yards
  16. Q3 Kent StatePunt, 3 plays, 6 yards
  17. Q3 Northern IllinoisMissed FG, 6 plays, 39 yards
  18. Q4 Kent StateTouchdown, 7 plays, 74 yards
  19. Q4 Northern IllinoisTouchdown, 9 plays, 75 yards
  20. Q4 Kent StateTurnover on downs, 9 plays, 55 yards
  21. Q4 Northern IllinoisPunt, 3 plays, 9 yards
  22. Q4 Kent StateFumble return TD, 1 play (Northern Illinois scores), −9 yards

Play by play

1st quarter4 drives, then Northern Illinois 10, Kent State 0
Northern Illinois Field goal, 7 plays
15:001st & 10 at own 35Andrew Glass kickoff for 63 yds
15:001st & 10 at own 25Antario Brown run for 39 yds to the KENT 36 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 36Gavin Williams run for 6 yds to the KENT 30
15:002nd & 4 at opp 30Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Cam Thompson for 6 yds to the KENT 24 for a 1ST down
15:001st & 10 at opp 24Kyle Thomas run for 3 yds to the KENT 21
15:002nd & 7 at opp 21Antario Brown run for 2 yds to the KENT 19
15:003rd & 5 at opp 19Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Gavin Williams
11:274th & 5 at opp 19Kanon Woodill 36 yd FG GOODNorthern Illinois 3, Kent State 0
Kent State Punt, 5 plays
11:171st & 10 at own 35Jake Seibert kickoff for 65 yds , Xavier Williams return for 32 yds to the KENT 32
11:171st & 10 at own 32Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Trell Harris
11:172nd & 10 at own 32Jaylen Thomas run for 10 yds to the KENT 42 for a 1ST down
11:171st & 10 at own 42Jaylen Thomas run for 6 yds to the KENT 48
11:172nd & 4 at own 48Jaylen Thomas run for 5 yds to the KENT 43
11:173rd & 9 at own 43Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Trell Harris
8:494th & 9 at own 43Josh Smith punt for 38 yds, fair catch by Dane Pardridge at the NIU 19
Northern Illinois Touchdown, 8 plays
8:491st & 10 at own 19Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Kyle Thomas
8:492nd & 10 at own 19Antario Brown run for 2 yds to the NIU 21
8:493rd & 8 at own 21Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Grayson Barnes for 10 yds to the NIU 31 for a 1ST down
8:491st & 10 at own 31Antario Brown run for 1 yd to the NIU 32
8:492nd & 9 at own 32Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Trayvon Rudolph for 29 yds to the KENT 39 for a 1ST down
8:491st & 10 at opp 39Rocky Lombardi run for 11 yds to the KENT 28 for a 1ST down
8:491st & 15 at opp 33Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Trayvon Rudolph for 9 yds to the KENT 24
4:072nd & 6 at opp 24Antario Brown run for 24 yds for a TD (Kanon Woodill KICK)Northern Illinois 10, Kent State 0
Kent State Touchdown, 12 plays
4:011st & 10 at own 35Jake Seibert kickoff for 59 yds , Xavier Williams return for 17 yds to the KENT 23
4:011st & 10 at own 23Jaylen Thomas run for 1 yd to the KENT 24
4:012nd & 9 at own 24Jaylen Thomas run for 1 yd to the KENT 23
4:013rd & 5 at own 28Devin Kargman pass complete to Luke Floriea for 11 yds to the KENT 39 for a 1ST down
4:011st & 10 at own 39Gavin Garcia run for 6 yds to the KENT 45
4:012nd & 4 at own 45Gavin Garcia run for 31 yds to the NIU 24 for a 1ST down
4:011st & 10 at opp 24Gavin Garcia run for 2 yds to the NIU 22
0:002nd & 8 at opp 22Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Luke Floriea
Q2 15:003rd & 8 at opp 22Gavin Garcia run for no gain to the NIU 22
Q2 15:004th & 8 at opp 22Andrew Glass run for 8 yds to the NIU 14 for a 1ST down
Q2 15:001st & 10 at opp 14PENALTY KENT False Start (Golden,Cameron) 5 yards from NOIL14 to NOIL19. NO PLAY.
Q2 15:001st & 15 at opp 19Jaylen Thomas run for 6 yds to the NIU 13
Q2 15:002nd & 9 at opp 13Jaylen Thomas run for 4 yds to the NIU 9
Q2 12:093rd & 5 at opp 9Devin Kargman pass complete to Luke Floriea for 9 yds for a TD (Andrew Glass KICK)Northern Illinois 10, Kent State 7
2nd quarter8 drives, then Kent State 17, Northern Illinois 10
Northern Illinois Turnover on downs, 5 plays
12:091st & 10 at own 35Andrew Glass kickoff for 65 yds for a touchback
12:091st & 10 at own 25Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Kyle Thomas for 45 yds to the KENT 30 for a 1ST down
12:091st & 10 at opp 30Antario Brown run for 3 yds to the KENT 27
12:092nd & 7 at opp 27Rocky Lombardi run for no gain to the KENT 27
12:093rd & 7 at opp 27Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Grayson Barnes
10:014th & 7 at opp 27Tom Foley run for 5 yds to the KENT 32
Kent State Punt, 3 plays
10:011st & 10 at own 32Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Jameel Gardner Jr.
10:012nd & 10 at own 32Jaylen Thomas run for 3 yds to the KENT 35
10:013rd & 7 at own 35Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Luke Floriea
9:014th & 7 at own 35Josh Smith punt for 39 yds, fair catch by Dane Pardridge at the NIU 26
Northern Illinois Fumble, 2 plays
9:011st & 10 at own 26Antario Brown run for 9 yds to the NIU 35
8:042nd & 1 at own 35Rocky Lombardi run for 2 yds to the NIU 13 Rocky Lombardi fumbled, recovered by NIU D.J. Miller Shotgun Lombardi,Rocky rush middle for 2 yards loss to the NOIL33 fumbled by Lombardi,Rocky at NOIL33 recovered by KENT Miller,D.J. at NOIL33 Miller,D.J. return 20 yards to the NOIL13 (Dozier,Billy).
Kent State Touchdown, 1 play
7:531st & 10 at opp 13Luke Floriea run for 13 yds for a TD (Andrew Glass KICK)Kent State 14, Northern Illinois 10
Northern Illinois Punt, 3 plays
7:531st & 10 at own 35Andrew Glass kickoff for 55 yds
7:531st & 10 at own 25Antario Brown run for 1 yd to the NIU 26
7:532nd & 9 at own 26Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Trayvon Rudolph
7:533rd & 9 at own 26Rocky Lombardi run for 7 yds to the NIU 33
6:114th & 2 at own 33Tom Foley punt for 39 yds, fair catch by Luke Floriea at the KENT 28
Kent State Field goal, 12 plays
6:111st & 10 at own 28Gavin Garcia run for 2 yds to the KENT 26
6:112nd & 12 at own 26Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Jameel Gardner Jr.
6:113rd & 12 at own 26Gavin Garcia run for 12 yds to the KENT 38 for a 1ST down
6:111st & 10 at own 38Gavin Garcia run for 5 yds to the KENT 43
6:112nd & 5 at own 43Devin Kargman pass complete to Trell Harris for 40 yds to the NIU 17 for a 1ST down
6:111st & 10 at opp 17Gavin Garcia run for 3 yds to the NIU 14
2:252nd & 7 at opp 14Timeout Kent State, clock 02:25
2:252nd & 7 at opp 14Gavin Garcia run for no gain to the NIU 14
2:203rd & 7 at opp 14Timeout Northern Illinois, clock 02:20
2:203rd & 7 at opp 14Devin Kargman pass complete to Trell Harris for 8 yds to the NIU 6 for a 1ST down
2:201st & goal at opp 6Gavin Garcia run for no gain to the NIU 6
1:452nd & goal at opp 6Timeout Northern Illinois, clock 01:45
1:452nd & goal at opp 6PENALTY KENT False Start (Golden,Cameron) 5 yards from NOIL06 to NOIL11. NO PLAY.
1:452nd & goal at opp 11Gavin Garcia run for 4 yds to the NIU 7
1:403rd & goal at opp 7Timeout Northern Illinois, clock 01:40
1:403rd & goal at opp 7Gavin Garcia run for 4 yds to the NIU 3
0:574th & goal at opp 3Timeout Kent State, clock 00:57
0:544th & goal at opp 3Andrew Glass 21 yd FG GOODKent State 17, Northern Illinois 10
Northern Illinois Punt, 4 plays
0:441st & 10 at own 35Andrew Glass kickoff for 62 yds , Trayvon Rudolph return for 21 yds to the NIU 24
0:441st & 10 at own 24Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Jalen Johnson for 12 yds to the NIU 36 for a 1ST down
0:441st & 10 at own 36Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Dane Pardridge
0:442nd & 10 at own 36Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Jalen Johnson
0:443rd & 10 at own 36Gavin Williams run for 3 yds to the NIU 39
0:214th & 7 at own 39Timeout Kent State, clock 00:21
0:154th & 7 at own 39Tom Foley punt for 38 yds, fair catch by Luke Floriea at the KENT 23
Kent State End of half, 1 play
0:001st & 10 at own 23Kneel down by Kent St. at KENT17 for loss of 6 yards.
3rd quarter5 drives, then Northern Illinois 24, Kent State 20
Northern Illinois Touchdown, 3 plays
14:551st & 10 at own 35Jake Seibert kickoff for 65 yds , Xavier Williams return for 16 yds to the KENT 16 Xavier Williams fumbled, recovered by NIU Cyrus McGarrell Seibert,Jake kickoff 65 yards to the KENT00 Williams,Xavier return 16 yards to the KENT16 fumbled by Williams,Xavier at KENT16 forced by Poe,Jaylen recovered by NOIL McGarrell,Cyrus at KENT16, End Of Play.
14:551st & 10 at opp 16Antario Brown run for no gain to the KENT 16
14:552nd & 10 at opp 16Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Dane Pardridge
14:053rd & 10 at opp 16Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Grayson Barnes for 16 yds for a TD (Kanon Woodill KICK)Tied at 17
Kent State Field goal, 10 plays
14:051st & 10 at own 35Jake Seibert kickoff for 60 yds fair catch by Javaughn Byrd at the KENT 25
14:051st & 10 at own 25Gavin Garcia run for 2 yds to the KENT 27
14:052nd & 8 at own 27Devin Kargman pass complete to Luke Floriea for 9 yds to the KENT 36 for a 1ST down
14:051st & 10 at own 36Gavin Garcia run for 1 yd to the KENT 37
14:052nd & 9 at own 37Gavin Garcia run for 1 yd to the KENT 38
14:053rd & 8 at own 38Devin Kargman pass complete to Luke Floriea for 9 yds to the KENT 47 for a 1ST down
14:051st & 10 at own 47Devin Kargman pass complete to Jameel Gardner Jr. for 45 yds to the NIU 8 for a 1ST down
14:051st & goal at opp 8Gavin Garcia run for 1 yd to the NIU 7
14:052nd & goal at opp 7Gavin Garcia run for no gain to the NIU 7
14:053rd & goal at opp 7Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Justin Holmes
9:124th & goal at opp 7Andrew Glass 25 yd FG GOODKent State 20, Northern Illinois 17
Northern Illinois Touchdown, 10 plays
9:051st & 10 at own 35Andrew Glass kickoff for 57 yds , Billy Dozier return for 19 yds to the NIU 27
9:051st & 10 at own 27Gavin Williams run for 7 yds to the NIU 34
9:052nd & 3 at own 34Gavin Williams run for 15 yds to the NIU 49 for a 1ST down
9:051st & 10 at own 49Gavin Williams run for 4 yds to the KENT 47
9:052nd & 6 at opp 47Gavin Williams run for 3 yds to the KENT 44
9:053rd & 3 at opp 44Gavin Williams run for 1 yd to the KENT 43
5:334th & 2 at opp 43Timeout Kent State, clock 05:33
5:334th & 2 at opp 43Antario Brown run for 3 yds to the KENT 40 for a 1ST down
5:331st & 10 at opp 40Rocky Lombardi run for 6 yds to the KENT 46
5:332nd & 16 at opp 46Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Trayvon Rudolph
3:371st & goal at opp 1Rocky Lombardi run for 1 yd for a TD (Kanon Woodill KICK)Northern Illinois 24, Kent State 20
Kent State Punt, 3 plays
3:371st & 10 at own 35Jake Seibert kickoff for 58 yds fair catch by Javaughn Byrd at the KENT 25
3:371st & 10 at own 25Gavin Garcia run for 4 yds to the KENT 29
3:372nd & 6 at own 29Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Trell Harris
3:373rd & 6 at own 29Gavin Garcia run for 2 yds to the KENT 31
2:044th & 4 at own 31Josh Smith punt for 34 yds , Dane Pardridge returns for no gain to the NIU 35
Northern Illinois Missed FG, 6 plays
2:041st & 10 at own 35Gavin Williams run for 6 yds to the NIU 41
2:042nd & 4 at own 41Gavin Williams run for 26 yds to the KENT 33 for a 1ST down
0:001st & 10 at opp 33Rocky Lombardi run for 7 yds to the KENT 26
Q4 15:002nd & 3 at opp 26Gavin Williams run for no gain to the KENT 26
Q4 15:003rd & 3 at opp 26Rocky Lombardi pass incomplete to Tristen Tewes
Q4 14:034th & 3 at opp 26Kanon Woodill 43 yd FG MISSED
4th quarter4 drives, then Northern Illinois 37, Kent State 27
Kent State Touchdown, 7 plays
14:031st & 10 at own 26Devin Kargman pass complete to Luke Floriea for 11 yds to the KENT 37 for a 1ST down
14:031st & 10 at own 37Jaylen Thomas run for 2 yds to the KENT 35
14:032nd & 12 at own 35Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Jameel Gardner Jr.
14:033rd & 12 at own 35Devin Kargman pass complete to Luke Floriea for 12 yds to the KENT 47 for a 1ST down
14:031st & 10 at own 47Jaylen Thomas run for no gain to the KENT 47
14:032nd & 10 at own 47Gavin Garcia run for 3 yds to the 50 yard line
10:233rd & 7 at the 50Devin Kargman pass complete to Jameel Gardner Jr. for 50 yds for a TD (Andrew Glass KICK)Kent State 27, Northern Illinois 24
Northern Illinois Touchdown, 9 plays
10:231st & 10 at own 35Andrew Glass kickoff for 64 yds fair catch by Javaughn Byrd at the NIU 25
10:231st & 10 at own 25Gavin Williams run for 2 yds to the NIU 27
10:232nd & 8 at own 27Gavin Williams run for 5 yds to the NIU 32
10:233rd & 3 at own 32Rocky Lombardi pass complete to Gavin Williams for 12 yds to the NIU 44 for a 1ST down
10:231st & 10 at own 44Antario Brown run for 5 yds to the NIU 49
10:232nd & 5 at own 49Trayvon Rudolph run for 34 yds to the KENT 17 for a 1ST down
10:231st & 10 at opp 17Gavin Williams run for 16 yds to the KENT 1 for a 1ST down
10:231st & goal at opp 1Gavin Williams run for no gain to the KENT 1
10:232nd & goal at opp 1Rocky Lombardi run for no gain to the KENT 1
4:453rd & goal at opp 1Rocky Lombardi run for 1 yd for a TD (Kanon Woodill KICK)Northern Illinois 31, Kent State 27
4:381st & 10 at own 35Jake Seibert kickoff for 62 yds , Bryce Sheppert return for 23 yds to the KENT 42 Kent State Penalty, Offensive Holding (9 Yards) to the KENT 9
Kent State Turnover on downs, 9 plays
4:381st & 10 at own 9Devin Kargman pass complete to Jameel Gardner Jr. for 16 yds to the KENT 25 for a 1ST down
4:381st & 10 at own 25Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Jameel Gardner Jr.
4:382nd & 10 at own 25Luke Floriea pass complete to Luke Floriea for 17 yds to the KENT 42 for a 1ST down
4:381st & 10 at own 42Gavin Garcia run for 5 yds to the KENT 47
4:382nd & 5 at own 47Devin Kargman pass complete to Luke Floriea for 9 yds to the NIU 44 for a 1ST down
4:381st & 10 at opp 44Devin Kargman pass complete to Trell Harris for 7 yds to the NIU 37
4:382nd & 3 at opp 37Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Jameel Gardner Jr.
4:383rd & 3 at opp 37Devin Kargman pass complete to Justin Holmes for 1 yd to the NIU 36
1:494th & 2 at opp 36Devin Kargman pass incomplete to Luke Floriea
Northern Illinois Punt, 3 plays
1:491st & 10 at own 36Gavin Williams run for 4 yds to the NIU 32
1:462nd & 14 at own 32Timeout Kent State, clock 01:46
1:462nd & 14 at own 32Gavin Williams run for 4 yds to the NIU 36
1:413rd & 10 at own 36Timeout Kent State, clock 01:41
1:413rd & 10 at own 36Gavin Williams run for 9 yds to the NIU 45
0:514th & 1 at own 45Timeout Northern Illinois, clock 00:51
0:434th & 1 at own 45Tom Foley punt for 48 yds , Luke Floriea returns for 2 yds to the KENT 9
0:001st & 10 at own 9Jacob Finley 0 Yd Fumble ReturnNorthern Illinois 37, Kent State 27

Play-by-play from CollegeFootballData.com, as its scorers wrote it. The clock is the time left in the quarter; the spot is from the side of the team with the ball.

The series

Every Northern Illinois–Kent State game

Northern Illinois leads 23–⁠7 in 30 meetings, counting the one since this game.

Recent meetings
2025Kent State 35, Northern Illinois 31
2023Northern Illinois 37, Kent State 27
2021Northern Illinois 41, Kent State 23Mid-American Championship Game
2021Kent State 52, Northern Illinois 47
2017Northern Illinois 24, Kent State 3
2016Northern Illinois 31, Kent State 21

Around this game

Northern Illinois

Kent State

Ranked games that day

Every game of Week 13