2025 Maryland football opponent preview: Northern Illinois

Ahmed Ghafir
Jul 13
2 min read

After previewing Maryland football's first opponent in 2025, we take a look at the week two opponent with Northern Illinois headed back to College Park for the first time since 2004.

2024 record: 8-5

Series history: 2-1

Coaching staff: Thomas Hammock (7th season, 32-38 overall)

What to know: OT Evan Malcore, DE Roy Williams, RB Telly Johnson, WR DeAree Rogers, CB Donte Harrison

After a stellar 8-5 season that featured an upset against eventual second-ranked Notre Dame in South Bend, Northern Illinois finds itself in a rebuild where they’ll turn to a long list of new faces after signing over a dozen transfers this offseason and just 35% of their 2024 production returning in 2025.

Offense

A lot of lost production on this side of the ball with their starting quarterback, top two running backs, top four receivers and five of their top six offensive linemen. Maryland could see one of them as former QB Ethan Hampton transferred to Illinois to kick off the offseason, but sophomore Josh Holst is expected to step into NIU’s starting role after throwing for nearly 600 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 58.6% passing in seven games in 2024. But NIU's blueprint will be its ground game with Telly Johnson, who ran for 480 yards in 2024, and who is now expected to anchor the running back room. After starting in 20 of his last 21 games at left tackle, OT Evan Malcore anchors the offensive line as one of three upperclassmen expected to start. The offense features just one returning starter, though, giving Maryland’s young defense a chance to build momentum in December.

Defense

In addition to the inexperience, Rob Harley takes over as defensive coordinator after Nick Benedetto headed to Fresno State. In a 4-2-5 scheme, the defense will be anchored by defensive end Roy Williams, a preseason second-team All-MAC selection after finishing second on the team with 6.5 sacks. DIII transfer corner Donte Harrison will likely step into a starting role in a completely new secondary.

Matchup to watch: Maryland’s passing attack vs. NIU’s secondary

While all eyes are on the starting quarterback, the overlooked aspect is the chance for the eventual starting quarterback to find time getting comfortable in a new system at a new school against heightened competition. NIU led the MAC in passing defense and finished second in scoring defense, but the inexperience and new faces gives Maryland a chance to build the momentum. All eyes are all on WR Jalil Farooq as the former Oklahoma starter anchors the room, while Octavian Smith and Shaleak Knotts enter their final seasons with the program, but could this be the breakout game for Tennessee transfer WR Kaleb Webb?

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