The Rockets keep the Huskies out of the endzone and move to 5-2 on the season
Despite being out-gained 391-285, the Toledo Rockets (5-2, 2-1 MAC) were able to out last the Northern Illinois Huskies (4-3, 1-2 MAC) on Saturday afternoon.
The Huskies, with backup quarterback Josh Holst at the helm, marched down the field on their first drive and were able to convert a 36-yard field goal to go up 3-0. From there, the teams punted twice and failed to convert on fourth down a combined FOUR times in a row.
Midway through the second quarter, the Rockets would score the lone touchdown of the game, on a 52-yard pass from their backup quarterback, John Alan Richter, to Jerjuan Newton that gave Toledo a 7-3 lead.
NIU was able to cut into the deficit when Kanon Woodill hit a 37-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Toledo’s offense would add a field goal in both the third and fourth quarter while their defense would force four straight NIU punts to start the second half, and then stop the Huskies on downs in each of their final three drives, preserving a 13-6 win.
Northern’s defense, one of the best in the nation, continued to keep them in the ballgame and get the ball back for their offense. The NCAA leaders in third down defense, NIU held the Rockets to 2-15 on third downs – which is better than their season average (20.5%) – and 0-2 on fourth down.
The Huskies have out-gained their opponents in all seven games this season, while holding six of the seven to under 300 yards but, despite that, their offense has been anemic to the endzone and unable to score points.
Today was no different.
And despite gaining nearly 400 yards of offense, NIU was able to net just six points. Northern was held without a touchdown for the first time in nearly two years and was a dismal 2-8 on fourth downs, including not converting on three 4th-and-1 plays in the first half.
For Toledo, Richter finished 15/28 with 152 yards and touchdown. Connor Walendzak had 19 carries for 78 yards and Newton and Junior Vandeross III each had 64 yards, with Newton snagging three passes and a TD and Vandeross III having seven receptions.
Holst finished the day 22/46 for NIU and had 210 passing yards while rushing for an additional 48 yards on 14 carries. Antario Brown had 13 carries for 53 yards while Gavin Williams had 78 on his 16 rushes. Cam Thompson led all players with 80 receiving yards on his five grabs while Trayvon Rudolph and Dane Pardridge also had five catches each for 45 and 36 yards, respectively.
With the win, the Rockets still have a chance to make the MAC Championship Game while the Huskies will have a very hard battle to get to Detroit and will need a lot of help.
Up next, Toledo heads home for a big meeting with Bowling Green next Saturday while the Huskies will head to Ball State to take on the Cardinals.