DeKALB – NIU football (4-3, 1-2 MAC) could not find the endzone Saturday, losing 13-6 to the University of Toledo Rockets (5-2, 2-1 MAC)
With both starting quarterbacks sidelined with injuries, NIU redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Holst and Toledo sophomore quarterback John Alan Richter resided under center for their respective teams.
Meanwhile, senior running back Antario Brown returned to action for the first time since the first half against University of Massachusetts on Oct. 5.
FIRST HALF
The Huskies took the game’s opening drive 56 yards. Senior kicker Kanon Woodill capped off the drive with a 36-yard field goal to give NIU an early 3-0 lead.
Each team failed a fourth-down conversion attempt as the Huskies and Rockets traded scoreless possessions throughout the remainder of the first quarter.
The first two drives of the second quarter resulted in two more failed fourth-down conversions, before Toledo reached the scoreboard on a 52-yard bomb to senior wide receiver Jerjuan Newton.
On the ensuing drive, the Huskies brought the ball to the Toledo 26-yard line, failing yet another fourth-down attempt as senior tight end Grayson Barnes fumbled a handoff.
A missed field goal by Woodill kept the score at 7-3 in Toledo’s favor with under two minutes to play, but received redemption with a successful 36-yard attempt to cut the Rockets’ lead to 7-6 at halftime.
SECOND HALF
After a tug-of-war for field position to begin the half, Toledo drove 88 yards into deep NIU territory. Facing a third-and-two near the Huskie endzone, Toledo junior tight end dropped a would-be touchdown, forcing a Rockets’ field goal to put Toledo up 10-6.
The Rockets made it a seven-point game with 11:12 left to play after another field goal on their next possession, going 56 yards on 10 plays.
After preventing Toledo’s third-straight scoring drive, the Huskies took over from their own 20-yard line with 6:35 remaining.
A 10-yard scramble and run by Holst set up a fourth-and-one from the Toledo 41-yard line. Holst kept the ball for a sneak attempt, but he was marked short.
NIU’s defense stood its ground on the ensuing Toledo possession, giving the Huskies the ball with 1:50 left to play, but the Huskies’ drive stalled at their own 36-yard line.
The Huskies’ final drive started and finished at their own 10-yard line as Toledo sealed a 13-6 victory.
