It’s been two weeks since the NIU football team last took the field. The Huskies walked off of it with a frustrating 20-9 loss in Maryland. Now, fresh off a bye week, NIU is hitting the road once more to face a new opponent in a Saturday matinee.
The Huskies will make their first-ever trip to Starkville, Mississippi, this weekend, seeking their second-ever win over an SEC opponent as they confront the undefeated Mississippi State Bulldogs. Coincidentally, Saturday’s matchup will take place 22 years to the day after NIU’s first win against SEC competition — the famed upset of No. 21 Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Looking to repeat history, NIU enters as a 22-point underdog. On the other side, MSU seeks its best start in more than a decade. The Bulldogs opened 2025 with a road win over Southern Miss, then returned home to hand No. 12 Arizona State an upset and give Alcorn State a 63-0 pummeling.
Ahead of Saturday’s clash in Starkville, the Northern Star went Behind Enemy Bylines with Noah McCord, the online editor and football reporter for The Reflector, to learn more about the Bulldogs.
Northern Star: Mississippi State is 3-0 to start the season and fresh off back-to-back wins at home. What’s allowed this team to have such a strong start in non-conference play?
Noah McCord: Mississippi State’s early success stems from a mix of renewed culture and key roster upgrades. Jeff Lebby’s first full offseason allowed him to reset expectations, implement a more aggressive offensive tempo, and build trust in the locker room. That mindset shows in how the team finishes drives and limits mental mistakes. On top of that, a handful of impact transfers — most notably with quarterback Blake Shapen back from injury and wideout Brenen Thompson from Oklahoma — have provided production and leadership. The offensive line looks sharper than a year ago, giving Shapen time to stretch the field and letting the backs run downhill. Defensively, the Bulldogs have played with energy and depth, especially in the secondary, which has cut down on big plays. A clean 3–0 non-conference record reflects both the talent infusion and a program-wide belief that last season’s struggles are behind them.
NS: Davis Wade Stadium has a reputation for being one of the toughest venues to play in college football due to its large capacity and its prominent use of cowbells. What turnout are you expecting for Saturday’s game, and can you explain the school’s cowbell tradition?
NM: I’m expecting an atmosphere similar to the Alcorn State matchup, with a full lower bowl and a loud, energized student section that believes in this team. The upper deck might have a few scattered seats, but the overall noise will feel like a sellout because of the cowbells.
The tradition dates back more than a century. Legend has it a jersey cow wandered onto the field during a 1930s game, and Mississippi State won. Students began bringing cowbells for good luck, and the practice stuck. Today, fans ring them in rhythm until the snap, creating a metallic roar unique in college football. It’s so distinctive the SEC had to create a “cowbell compromise” that allows ringing only before plays — but in practice, it remains one of the most intimidating sounds visiting teams face.
NS: The Bulldogs finished 2-10 last season. Now, they’re closing in on their first 4-0 start since 2014. Can you describe the turnaround this team has had under head coach Jeff Lebby?
NM: The turnaround starts with context. A year ago, Mississippi State was thin on depth and identity, finishing 2–10 while searching for stability after coaching changes. With $15 million allocated to football this year, Lebby reshaped the roster with transfers and an uptempo offensive system that suits his personnel. Opening the year with four non-conference opponents certainly helped build momentum, but the improvement runs deeper than scheduling. Practices are faster and more detailed, and players speak of clearer communication from the top down. Shapen’s veteran presence at quarterback steadies the offense, while a retooled defense has bought into a more aggressive scheme. The Bulldogs now play with a confidence and purpose that simply wasn’t there last fall, and that cultural shift is as important as any schematic tweak.
NS: Who do you expect to be Mississippi State’s biggest weapons on offense and defense against NIU?
NM: On offense, the headline act is the connection between quarterback Blake Shapen and burner Brenen Thompson. Thompson’s track-level speed — clocked around 22 miles per hour in practice — can flip a game with a single deep shot, and Shapen’s accuracy makes that threat real. Mississippi State also boasts a balanced backfield with Fluff Bouthwell and Davon Booth, giving the Bulldogs flexibility to run inside or bounce outside.
Defensively, Kelley Jones has emerged as the true lockdown corner. His ability to neutralize an opponent’s top receiver allows the rest of the secondary to disguise coverages and play more aggressively. Beside him, safety Isaac Smith provides rangy help over the top and isn’t shy about stepping into the box to stuff the run.
NS: What weaknesses does this Mississippi State team have that NIU can exploit to pull off an upset in Starkville?
NM: The most obvious crack is in Mississippi State’s run defense. Opponents have found occasional success pounding the ball between the tackles, particularly when the Bulldogs rotate their interior linemen. Gap discipline has been inconsistent, leading to chunk plays on early downs. If NIU’s offensive line can control the line of scrimmage and create third-and-short situations, it could keep the game within reach and open up play-action opportunities. While the Bulldogs’ passing attack has been sharp, a sustained pass rush could test Shapen if the offensive line is forced into obvious passing downs. NIU’s best shot is to shorten the game with long, physical drives and force Mississippi State into uncomfortable situations late.
NS: Finally, what’s your final score prediction for this game?
NM: Mississippi State 47, Northern Illinois 14.
