DeKALB — The Huskies may have beaten an archrival their last time out, but another longtime nemesis awaits them under the Wednesday night lights in Ohio.
NIU kicks off its final slate of midweek MACtion with a visit to the Toledo Rockets, a team it loves to hate. Inside the Huskies’ building, Toledo’s name doesn’t even appear on the countdown to kickoff — only a row of X’s.
Though not recognized as an official rivalry, there’s no love lost between the programs. Since their first meeting in 1967, the Huskies and Rockets have faced off 52 times, with Toledo holding a 35-17 series lead and victories in each of the last three meetings. The clashes frequently defined the power balance in the MAC West before its dissolution last season — and often the path to the MAC title game in Detroit.
“We know it’s a big week. We know it’s Toledo week,” said head coach Thomas Hammock, who played running back at NIU from 1999 to 2002. “We’ve had quite the rivalry going back before I played … this is a team that we respect. We understand we have to play well in all three phases to give ourselves the best chance.”
Wednesday’s matchup will see NIU’s offense go up against one of the best defensive units in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Toledo leads the MAC and ranks third in the Football Bowl Subdivision in total defense, only allowing 236.3 yards per game.
Meanwhile, NIU ranks top 50 in the Football Bowl Subdivision in passing defense, scoring defense and total defense. The Huskies forced a season-high three turnovers in their victory over Ball State, including interceptions by safeties Jasper Beeler and James Finley IV.
“It finally felt good to get our hands on the ball that much and then respond from the week before,” Beeler said. “We felt like we didn’t play up to our standards. We’re just getting back to that this week.”
This week, the Huskies will face a Toledo offense that leads the conference in yardage and scoring. Quarterback Tucker Gleason is tied for second in the MAC in passing touchdowns (13), while wide receiver Junior Vandeross III ranks third in receiving, averaging 76 yards per game. The Rockets’ passing attack also features former NIU speedster Trayvon Rudolph, who suited up for the Huskies from 2020 to 2023.
“We know what he’s capable of doing,” Hammock said of Rudolph. “They have another receiver that’s one of the best in the conference, the quarterback is playing at a high level and they play well at home. We know we’re in for a tremendous challenge.”
The Huskies have already begun their MAC farewell tour, but Wednesday marks the beginning of their final slate of midweek games before NIU departs for the Mountain West Conference next year.
It’s a familiar rhythm for many players but an adjustment for newcomers used to only playing on Fridays and Saturdays.
Still, UAlbany transfer defensive tackle Dasean Dixon said the switch hasn’t been all that bad.
“Actually, I kind of like it,” Dixon said of the weeknight schedule. “Just knowing that there’s people watching me from all over, it’s kind of exciting for me. And for me, ball is ball.”
