NIU football’s motto of “The Hard Way” has been in full force this season. The Huskies’ 42-3 loss to Toledo on Wednesday was one of the most lopsided losses in program history.
The 39-point deficit marked the 14th largest defeat in NIU history and the second largest in the Thomas Hammock era. The Huskies were outplayed all game, falling to 2-7 on the season and 1-4 in MAC play.
From the opening drive, it was clear that this would be another one of – those – NIU games. Toledo struck first on a 96-yard return touchdown, and scored 35 more points throughout the game. The Huskies never recovered, only managing a lone field goal by senior kicker Andrew Glass.
‘THE HARD WAY’ HAS LOST ITS BITE
NIU football built its identity on resilience and discipline, but that motto is showing wear and tear. The Huskies have now lost 7 of their last 8 games this season, a far cry from last season where they went 8-5 that included a statement win over the National Championship runner-up Notre Dame.
Head coach Thomas Hammock has long preached about grit and accountability, but the results on the field no longer match the message. The Huskies looked overwhelmed from the first drive, rarely showing the spark that once made #TheHardWay a symbol of pride for the team.
If the slogan is going to mean anything, it needs to show up on the field and not just plastered across the teams social media and or locker room walls. NIU’s trademark resilience has vanished after repeated adversity.
RUN GAME DISAPPEARED WHEN IT WAS NEEDED MOST
For most of the season, the run game has been the NIU offense’s core identity. When the passing game faltered, redshirt senior running back Chavon Wright and sophomore running back Telly Johnson Jr. stepped up in big ways. That power run formula kept them competitive in multiple games this season.
On Wednesday, that strength evaporated. NIU rushed 36 times for 62 yards, averaging only 1.7 yards per carry. Wright, the workhorse of the two, managed only 21 yards on 11 attempts.
Without a ground attack, the offense never found its footing. The passing game combined for 141 yards and 29 attempts, but went 2-16 on third-down conversions, while also coming up empty-handed in the red zone. Drives routinely stalled and the Huskies failed to record a touchdown for the second time this season.
DEFENSIVE FATIGUE IS EVIDENT
The NIU defense has carried the team as a whole for much of the season, but even the most resilient units can be broken when left on the field for too long, and Toledo did exactly that.
The Rockets piled up 443 yards of total offense against the defense, and it didn’t help that the offense was not able to retain the ball at all. Toledo converted 9 of 14 third-downs, something the NIU offense was not able to do in the slightest, and exposed them.
Redshirt senior linebacker Quinn Urwiler once again led the way with 13 tackles and now sits first in the country with 110 total tackles, a well earned accomplishment on a team with very few. However, individual effort is not enough, as Toledo was able to find every gap in the offense, and turn a tight first quarter into a bloodbath.
