The Cougars, an independent these days, are also coming off a bye week, and this is the first meeting between the two programs.
BRIGHAM YOUNG (4-3)
➤➤ The Cougars’ head coach is Kalani Sitake, a former BYU player who took over Dec. of 2015, when he became the first Tongan head football coach in the NCAA.
Brigham Young has a long history of recruiting among the Polynesian Island, with some reaching all-American status and/or playing in the NFL.
➤➤ There may be some elevation factor, since Provo is approximately 4,630 feet above sea level, but Colorado (5,360 feet) and Wyoming (7,215 feet) are more extreme adjustments.
➤➤ It’s been something of a roller coaster season for the Cougars. They have not won or lost more than two in a row.
They won at then-No. 6 Wisconsin (24-21) Sept. 15, but more recently lost at No. 11 Washington (35-7) and at home to Utah State (45-20).
➤➤ Brigham Young broke its two game slide with a 49-23 win against Hawaii Oct. 13 and then had a bye week.
➤➤ Senior quarterback Tanner Mangum has completed 65 percent of his passes (112-of-18s), producing 1,042 yards and five TDs with three interceptions. Freshman Zach Wilson got the start against Hawai’i and completed 16 of 24 aerials for 194 yards with three TDs and one pick. He could start against NIU.
➤➤ Senior Squally Canada tops Cougar rushers with 71 carries for 334 yards with five of BYU’s 12 rushing scores. Lopini Katoa adds another 55 carries for 263 yards and four scores.
➤➤ The 10 BYU receiving touchdowns are spread among nine players. Freshman Gunner Romney has a pair of scores.
Aleva Hifo’s 21 receptions for 225 yards leads the team in both categories. Matt Bushman and Talon Shumway have combined for 19 catches and 377 yards. Each is averaging about 17 yards per reception.
➤➤ BYU has played 25 freshman this season, including 15 true freshman.
In the last game against Hawaii, the Cougars started seven freshmen, with six getting the nod on offense.
Freshmen have accounted for just over half of BYU’s total scoring this year (89 of 176 points -- 50.6%).
NORTHERN ILLINOIS (4-3, 4-0 MAC)
➤➤ NIU is one of three MAC teams still undefeated in conference play. The Huskies have rolled off three straight league wins with a formula using plenty of defense and just enough offense.
Although this is an Saturday is an out-of-conference matchup, it is the last opportunity to notch a non-conference victory this season. All three losses have been outside the loop.
It would also move NIU one step closer to bowl eligibility, and there are some really tough games in the coming weeks.
➤➤ Northern produced its best fourth quarter of the season on both sides of the ball against Ohio. The Huskies scored a season-high 15 points in the period while using 148 yards of total offense and 105 rushing yards.
Meanwhile, the NIU defense shutout Ohio while allowing just 27 yards of offense in the final quarter.
Quarterback Marcus Childers rushed for 169 yards on 23 carries against Ohio. It was the most yards by a Huskie rusher this season. Overall, NIU amassed a season-high 255 yard on the ground, allowing Northern to eclipse 400 total yards for the first time in 2018.
➤➤ Offensive tackle made the most of his first touch, taking a lateral pass into the endzone to complete a two-point conversion and give NIU a 24-21 lead, which turned out to be the final.
➤➤ Sutton Smith’s strip sack of Ohio QB Nathan Rourke in the fourth period was Smith’s third of the season and fourth of his career.
➤➤ Northern Illinois is in a stretch when it plays five of six games on the road.
➤➤ Although the Huskies outgained Ohio 400-321, a 3-0 turnover margin also helped the hosts.
➤➤ Northern Illinois ranks second in scoring defense (23.3 ppg)among MAC teams but is 11th in scoring (18.6 ppg). The Huskies are particularly stout against the run, leading the MAC with an average of 115.1 ypg. Ohio came to DeKalb leading the league in rushing (208.3 ypg) but was held to just 46 yards against NIU. It was the third time this season Northern Illinois held a team under 100 yards rushing.
➤➤ NIU is fourth in pass defense efficiency and first in sacks (22 for 162 yards.
➤➤ Tre Harbison tops Northern Illinois rushing with 90 carries for 442 yards (4.9 ypc) with three scores. Marcus Jones is averaging 5.3 per trip with 53 carries for 282 yards (2 TDs).
➤➤ Senior D.J. Brown owns 36 catches for 327 yards and three touchdowns, while classmate Jauan Wesley is close with 33 receptions for 319 yards.