Each week during the college football season, the Northern Star will recap the most interesting NIU grades published by Pro Football Focus, a sports analytics company that evaluates every player on every play of every game. Season and single-game grades are based on a 0-100 scale. To learn more about PFF’s grading system, click here.
Another week, another loss.
Yes, the Huskies now face their longest losing streak since 2020 after being on the wrong side of a blowout in Ohio, wherein the offense found a semblance of a spark while the defense was gashed for the better part of four quarters. Even in defeat, NIU saw positive strides from its original starting quarterback and flashes of promise from two young members of its defensive secondary.
James Finley (88.2 defense): Despite limited playing time, the true freshman safety put up a breakout performance against the Bobcats, taking home NIU’s top defensive, tackling (82.7) and coverage grades (88.7). Finley played just 26 of 80 snaps and finished with six tackles — three solo and three assists. He recorded his first career interception — and the Huskies’ fifth of the season — on the final play of the first half.
Taylor Powell (90.6 run defense): Like his fellow defensive back, Powell took advantage of his playing time on Saturday. He logged a career-high four tackles and forced two fumbles over the 32 snaps he played at slot cornerback. The East St. Louis native finished as NIU’s best run defender and received the second-highest defensive grade.
Quinn Urwiler (84.2 pass rush): The sixth-year linebacker once again led the Huskies with 12 stops at Ohio but earned his second-worst defensive grade of the season (57.2). However, Urwiler stood out for his pass-rushing ability, recording two hurries while playing a team-high 68 snaps.
Devon Akers (91.2 offense): The 6-foot-7 redshirt freshman only played two snaps, but didn’t waste his opportunity. Akers caught his first career touchdown in the second quarter, corralling a 50-50 pass in the end zone. He also received a team-best 84.4 passing grade.
Telly Johnson Jr. (82.2 rushing): Johnson once again topped the Huskies in rushing after a 64-yard day on the ground. The running back was also NIU’s second-highest graded offensive player (77.7). He played 41 of 58 possible offensive snaps.
