2022 MAC Football Week 3 Game Preview: Vanderbilt Commodores @ NIU Huskies

The Northern Illinois Huskies welcome the Vanderbilt Commodores to Huskie Stadium this weekend. It's the second time Vanderbilt has traveled to DeKalb, Illinois since 1997. Both teams are coming off losses last week.

NIU Huskies host Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday, September 17th at 2:30 p.m. (CST) at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, IL. NIU is favored by 2.5 points, but Vandy has a 66.2% chance to win. The over/under is 58.

Vanderbilt is 4-0 all-time against NIU and 11-2 against MAC schools. The last time the Commodores and Huskies met in September, Vanderbilt won 24-18 in Nashville. NIu is 1-11 against the SEC and their only win came against Alabama in 2003.

Vanderbilt Commodores are playing against NIU Huskies in the MAC Football Week 3. In the previous two games, Vanderbilt beat Hawai’i 63-10 and Elon 42-31. Last week they lost to Wake Forest 45-25. The Commadores have been out-gained in both games. They have scored on plays of 87, 75, 44, and 26-yards. Their longest drive was 4:23. Mike Wright is the team's quarterback. He has passed for 426 yards and six touchdowns and run for 264 and four touchdowns. Jayden McGowan and Will Sheppard are his main targets through the air. Re‘Mahn Davis is his second-leading rusher with 269 yards.

NIU is looking to turn around their luck this week after last week's loss. Drops have been an issue for the Huskies this season. Rocky Lombardi has completed 60% of his passes with 451 yards and four touchdowns. Cole Tucker leads the MAC in receiving yards with 190 yards on 11 catches and a touchdown. Shemar Thornton has 112 yards so far on eight grabs. Kacper Rutkiewicz had a breakout game against Tulsa, hauling in three passes for 45 yards. On the ground, Antario Brown and Harrison Waylee have had good results. Mason Blakemore has 65 yards from 15 touches.

NIU Huskies are looking to avenge their 2019 loss and rebound after last week's close game. The Commodores have an offense that can move the ball but their defense is susceptible. NIU has a better ability to hold the football and milk the clock.