BOISE, Idaho — In a thrilling conclusion to the Idaho Potato Bowl on Monday, Northern Illinois secured a 28-20 victory against Fresno State after a gripping double overtime battle. Freshman wide receiver George Dimopoulos, who previously played quarterback in high school, made a decisive impact by throwing a 25-yard touchdown pass to Dane Pardridge on the very first play of the second overtime. Jordan Hansen then solidified the win with a critical fourth-down sack that ended the game.
Dimopoulos not only showcased his arm but also played a pivotal role in the two-point conversion, connecting with fellow freshman Josh Holst, who started at quarterback after the regular starter, Ethan Hampton, was sidelined. Hampton had an impressive season with 1,600 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and six interceptions prior to missing this game. Making just his third start, Holst completed 18 of 30 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns, though he struggled with an interception on the opening play of the match.
In a tense final three minutes of regulation, both teams failed to convert 35-yard field goals, with Fresno’s Dylan Lynch missing his third attempt as time expired, pushing the game into overtime. Fresno State kicked off the overtime period with a quick score, as Bryson Donelson, left unmarked, caught a 9-yard touchdown pass. Northern Illinois then answered with a five-play drive, aided by a defensive holding penalty that allowed Holst to link up with Grayson Barnes for a crucial 3-yard touchdown.
Fresno’s Donelson had an impressive game, totaling 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown, alongside three receptions for 28 yards and another score. The Bulldogs’ dual-threat quarterback, Joshua Wood, completed 16 of his 23 passes for 180 yards with a touchdown, while Mac Dalena contributed significantly with six catches for 118 yards, pushing him past the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the season.
The Fresno State team faced significant challenges, competing without 14 players, including their starting quarterback Mikey Keene, who transferred to Michigan. The Bulldogs were also missing two of their top three receivers, Jalen Moss and Raylen Sharpe, which forced them to field five new starters during this crucial game.
