Mississippi State
4-0 , 0-0
Northern Illinois
1-2 , 0-0
Bulldogs Remain Unbeaten With 38-10 Win Over Huskies
September 20, 2025 | Football
Mississippi State is off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2014.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State used a surge of momentum in the second half to advance to 4-0 for the first time since 2014 as they cruised to a 38-10 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday afternoon at Davis Wade Stadium.
The Bulldogs outscored the Huskies 24-0 over the final two quarters to take control and roll to the win.
After NIU took a 3-0 lead with a field goal at the 9:41 mark of the first quarter, the Bulldogs were able to respond on the following possession as quarterback Blake Shapen rushed five times for 36 yards before receiver Brenen Thompson took a jet sweep into the end zone to give State a 7-3 lead at the 3:48 mark.
Northern Illinois then found the end zone to take a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter before attempting an onside kick that was unsuccessful.
State capitalized on the short field position, scoring on a Shapen goal-line toss to tight end Seydou Traore at the 11:31 mark, giving State a 14-10 lead headed into halftime.
MSU came out swinging in the third quarter. Running back Davon Booth punched in a touchdown at the 12:55 mark to stretch State's lead out to 21-10.
Momentum continued to shift in State's favor on the following possession when safety Isaac Smith came up with an interception in the end zone with 8:41 left in the quarter. The Bulldogs capped off a 7:47 drive with a 48-yard field goal from Kyle Ferrie to extend their lead to 24-10.
Booth punched in his second touchdown of the day with a six-yard score with 11:18 left in the game to push State's advantage to 31-10, giving the Bulldogs even more breathing room. Running back Xavier Gayten punched in a touchdown of his own late to complete the scoring at 38-10.
The Bulldogs' run game proved to be too much for the Huskies to handle as they pounded the rock for 292 total yards and four touchdowns. Shapen finished the day with 160 yards through the air with a touchdown. He added 51 yards on the ground.
Defensively, safety Jahron Manning led the team with seven total tackles.
Next up for MSU…
Mississippi State opens up the Southeastern Conference portion of its schedule by hosting Tennessee on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Davis Wade Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:15 CT on SEC Network.
Team Stats
NIU 3, MSU 0
NIU - Glass,Andrew 30 yd field goal 10 plays, 63 yards, TOP 05:19
NIU 3, MSU 7
MSU - Thompson,Brenen 10 yd run (Ferrie,Kyle kick), 13 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:53
NIU 10, MSU 7
NIU - Rogers,DeAree 24 yd pass from Holst,Josh (Glass,Andrew kick) 2 plays, 27 yards, TOP 00:28
NIU 10, MSU 14
MSU - Traore,Seydou 1 yd pass from Shapen,Blake (Ferrie,Kyle kick) 8 plays, 48 yards, TOP 03:20
NIU 10, MSU 21
MSU - Booth,Davon 1 yd run (Ferrie,Kyle kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:05
NIU 10, MSU 24
MSU - Ferrie,Kyle 48 yd field goal 15 plays, 50 yards, TOP 07:47
NIU 10, MSU 31
MSU - Booth,Davon 6 yd run (Ferrie,Kyle kick), 5 plays, 64 yards, TOP 02:10
NIU 10, MSU 38
MSU - Gayten,Xavier 1 yd run (Ferrie,Kyle kick), 8 plays, 43 yards, TOP 05:02
