After a weekend full of blowouts in the College Football Playoff, fans were itching for a chaotic, fun-filled thriller of a bowl game.
That is exactly what the fans got in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl as Northern Illinois knocked off Fresno State 28-20 in double overtime.
The Famous Idaho Potato Bowl never disappoints.
— FamousID Potato Bowl (@IDPotatoBowl) December 23, 2024
Congratulations, @NIU_Football ! #PotatoBowl | #BowlSeason pic.twitter.com/h6oWji0X6G
After controlling and leading most of the game, Fresno State had a chance to win it with a 35-yard field goal with four seconds remaining.
That wasn't what happened, as Dylan Lynch would miss his third field goal of the game and send it into overtime, giving Northern Illinois new life.
Fresno State K Dylan Lynch misses his THIRD field goal of the game and we are headed to OT!!
— Brendan Moore (@bmoorecfb) December 23, 2024
pic.twitter.com/sXs9sErCxl
NIU did not have a lead in the game until it scored on the first play of double overtime and converted the two-point conversion to take a 28-20 lead.
The touchdown and conversion were scored on a reverse pass as well as NIUs own version of the "Philly Special," which was made well known by the Eagles in the Super Bowl.
#MACtion
— MACtion (@MACSports) December 23, 2024
NIU now leads 28-20!@NIU_Football | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/2GxIuLPlzv
Fresno State would have a chance to respond and send the game to a third overtime and alternating two-point attempts, yet it was unable to do so.
On 4th-and-9 with the game on the line, Fresno State quarterback Joshua Wood was sacked by NIU's Jordan Hansen to end the game and secure the victory for the Huskies.
NIU BEATS FRESNO STATE ON A HUGE SACK IN DOUBLE OVERTIME
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) December 23, 2024
The Huskies earn their 8th victory of the year and cap off their season with a win in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. pic.twitter.com/yxosnpbIEa
Northern Illinois quarterback Josh Holst was named the MVP of the game. Holst finished with 247 total yards and two touchdowns.
Fresno State quarterback Joshua Wood was responsible for 212 total yards and two touchdowns for the game.
Northern Illinois finished the season 8-5 after the win, its second straight season with an above .500 record.
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