Radio: 5 p.m.; WLBK-AM 1360, WCKG-FM 105.9, WAUR-AM 930.
Line: Maryland by 14 1/2.
2003 records: NIU 10-2, 6-2 in MAC West; Maryland 10-3, 6-2 in ACC.
Series: Tied 1-1.
Last meeting: NIU upset Maryland 20-13 in overtime on Aug. 28, 2003, in DeKalb. Steve Azar’s field goal tied it 13-13 with 1:12 left in regulation. Josh Haldi’s pass to Dan Sheldon was the winning touchdown.
Team comparison: (2003 averages, rank)
%%
CATEGORY NIU MD
Rushing offense 160.0 (52) 191.3 (24)
Passing offense 218.9 (58) 230.4 (44)
Total offense 378.9 (60) 421.7 (28)
Scoring offense 32.2 (26) 31.2 (27)
Rushing defense 141.1 (47) 129.4 (31)
More Top Picks Best Edo Kiriko Glasses
Passing defense 230.5 (75) 179.0 (12)
Total defense 371.6 (56) 308.4 (15)
Scoring defense 21.5 (31) 15.9 (6)
%%
NIU outlook: Haldi and the NIU offense will try to control the ball and the clock to take pressure off the Huskies’ inexperienced defensive line. Coach Joe Novak says the Huskies must throttle the Terrapins’ potent rushing game.
Maryland outlook: Novak called Maryland’s defense “the most physical we faced last year.” Cornerback Dominique Foxworth heads an alert veteran secondary. Terps are 19-1 at home in Ralph Friedgen’s three years as head coach.