As the final preparation before starting the 2025 Southeastern Conference slate, Mississippi State would welcome the upset-minded Northern Illinois Huskies to Scott Field at Davis Wade Stadium for another Saturday in Starkville. Northern Illinois came to Starkville looking to channel the magic from last season, where they went into South Bend and stunned the world by taking down the National Championship runner-up in the Irish of Notre Dame. The Bulldogs sat out on Saturday to avoid a similar fate as the Irish last season. 

Saturday was the final tune-up for the Bulldogs before diving headfirst into Southeastern Conference play, as they looked ahead to hosting the Tennessee Volunteers next Saturday afternoon at Davis Wade Stadium. A win over NIU would give the Bulldogs an unbeaten 4-0 record with wins over Arizona State, Southern Miss, and NIU as they head into SEC play. A win would also mean the Bulldogs would be within two games of reaching the postseason for the first time since the 2022 season, where the Bulldogs finished 9-4 with a win over Illinois in the Reliquest Bowl. 

Northern Illinois would jump out to an early 3-0 lead on Mississippi State before the Bulldogs responded with a touchdown drive of their own to take a 7-3 lead over the Huskies. Mississippi State would add another touchdown to make it 14-3 before NIU cut the lead to 14-10 midway through the second quarter. Mississippi State would take the 14-10 lead to the locker room. 

Mississippi State would open the second half with a quick touchdown drive to extend the lead to 21-10 over the visiting NIU Huskies with a little more than 13 minutes remaining on the third quarter game clock. Mississippi State would open things up a bit more in the second half, extending the lead to 38-10 over the Huskies, giving the Bulldogs a chance to finish the non-conference unbeaten with a perfect 4-0 record as they shift their focus to Tennessee next Saturday.

Blake Shapen finished his day with 160 yards with a passing touchdown, while Fluff Bothwell led the way in rushing with 101 yards and no touchdowns. 

Overall, Saturday was another good Mississippi State victory as they doubled last season’s win total by improving to 4-0 on the season. With good wins over Southern Miss, NIU, and Arizona State, the confidence for the Bulldogs is at an all-time high as they look to play spoiler again next week as they welcome the Volunteers of Tennessee to Davis Wade Stadium. 

Photo Credits- Mississippi State Football on X