Northern Illinois Triumphs Over Fresno State in Idaho Potato Bowl with 28-20 Double Overtime Win
BOISE, Idaho – In an exhilarating display of grit and resilience, Northern Illinois University (NIU) secured a 28-20 victory over Fresno State in the Idaho Potato Bowl on Monday, emerging victorious in a thrilling double-overtime battle. The game, which showcased unexpected heroes and dramatic twists, saw NIU freshman wide receiver George Dimopoulos make an instant impact with a 25-yard touchdown pass on the very first play of double overtime to give the Huskies the lead. A subsequent fourth-down sack by Jordan Hansen ended the game, sealing the victory for NIU.
Dimopoulos, a former high school quarterback, provided the game-winning moment with a well-executed throw to Dane Pardridge in double overtime. The touchdown was only part of his memorable performance, as he also delivered the crucial two-point conversion pass to quarterback Josh Holst, marking Dimopoulos’ second completion of the season. This play capped off a dynamic sequence of events that ultimately tilted the game in favor of Northern Illinois.
Holst Steps Up in the Absence of Starter Ethan Hampton
The game was made even more remarkable by the performance of Josh Holst, a freshman walk-on making just his third start at quarterback for NIU. Holst was filling in for the injured Ethan Hampton, who had been a standout for the Huskies throughout the season, accounting for 1,600 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite the absence of their starting quarterback, the Huskies remained composed and confident.
Holst completed 18 of 30 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns in a solid effort under pressure. Although he threw an interception on the first play of the game, Holst bounced back with a composed performance that ultimately led to the game-tying and game-winning drives. His connection with Grayson Barnes for a 3-yard touchdown in the first overtime was pivotal, allowing NIU to answer Fresno State’s initial score in overtime and keep their hopes alive.
Fresno State Fights Hard, Despite Missing Key Players
Fresno State, despite being heavily depleted, fought valiantly but ultimately came up short. The Bulldogs were without 14 players, including starting quarterback Mikey Keene, who transferred to Michigan. In addition, top receivers Jalen Moss and Raylen Sharpe were absent, forcing Fresno State to field a number of new starters.
Quarterback Joshua Wood, who took over for Keene, completed 16 of 23 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown. His reliable target, Mac Dalena, caught six passes for 118 yards, surpassing 1,000 yards for the season. Bryson Donelson, who played a key role both in the backfield and as a receiver, finished with 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown, while adding three catches for 28 yards and another score.
Fresno State struck first in overtime, with Donelson catching a 9-yard touchdown pass after being left open out of the backfield. However, NIU responded quickly, using a defensive holding penalty to gain new life and eventually finding Barnes for the game-tying score.
Missed Opportunities and Dramatic Finish
As regulation drew to a close, both teams missed 35-yard field goal attempts in the final three minutes, including a crucial miss by Fresno State’s Dylan Lynch, who had already missed twice earlier in the game. His third miss on the final play of regulation sent the game into overtime, adding an extra layer of drama to an already tense affair.
In the end, it was Northern Illinois’ defensive prowess and Dimopoulos’ clutch performance in double overtime that proved to be the difference. Hansen’s fourth-down sack sealed the victory for the Huskies, marking an impressive finish to an unforgettable bowl game.
Conclusion
Northern Illinois’ 28-20 victory in the Idaho Potato Bowl is a testament to the team’s resilience and ability to perform in high-pressure moments. With Holst stepping up in place of the injured Hampton and Dimopoulos delivering the game-winning touchdown, NIU showed heart and determination throughout the contest. The victory also highlighted the grit of Fresno State, who fought through numerous challenges but ultimately fell short. Despite being short-handed, Fresno State proved to be a formidable opponent, making this victory even more impressive for the Huskies.
This thrilling double-overtime win ensures that Northern Illinois ends the season on a high note, finishing with an 8-5 record, while Fresno State closes out a challenging season at 6-7.
