At 3 p.m. on Saturday, NIU will take on Toledo in its 102nd Homecoming game.

Fans who can’t make it to Huskie Stadium can watch the contest on Comcast SportsNet or listen to the game on WSCR AM 670 (Chicago) or WLBK AM 1360 (DeKalb).

The last time the Huskies (3-3 overall, 1-2 MAC) beat the Rockets was in 2005. However, 1989 was the last time NIU defeated Toledo (2-4, 1-1) in DeKalb.

Toledo is coming off a 13-10 win against Michigan. To help gain an understanding of what the Rockets will bring to Huskie Stadium on Saturday, the Northern Star breaks down their offense and defense.

Defensive Line

The Rockets haven’t done a great job rushing the passer so far this season: they are currently No. 10 in the MAC with seven sacks on the season.

Against the run, Toledo ranks No. 9 in the MAC.

Senior defensive tackle Sean Williamson leads the team in sacks with two and has four tackles for a loss. Williamson has started all six games at defensive tackle this season after playing defensive end earlier in his career.

The team’s other starting defensive tackle, Skylaar Constant, is seventh on the team with 27 tackles.

Defensive ends Derrick Summers and Albertson Alexandre each have one sack.

However, Alexandre was one of two Toledo players to get into a fight outside a bar Saturday night. According to the Toledo Blade, Alexandre will play but not start. Sophomore Douglas Westbrook will start in his place.

Grade — D+

Linebackers

The Rockets play a nickel defense using only two linebackers: sophomore Archie Donald and junior Daris Quinn.

Neither linebacker played for the Rockets last season, as Donald sat out due to academic reasons and Quinn transferred from Joliet Junior College.

Donald currently leads the Rockets in tackles with 50, and has two tackles for a loss.

In 2006, Donald’s last season, he started six games and had 43 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

Quinn has 31 tackles so far this season. The Collinsville native was a first-team all-region, and first-team all-conference selection as a sophomore while playing for the Wolves, a junior college powerhouse.

Grade — B-

Secondary

The Toledo secondary’s best player is strong safety Barry Church. Church is second on the team in tackles with 49, and also has three tackles for loss.

The senior was first-team All-MAC in 2006 and 2007, and is listed in the team’s media guide as an All-America candidate. Church also has three pass breakups.

The Rockets start another senior at the free safety spot in Tyrell Herbert. Herbert is tied for the team lead in interceptions with two, including a 100-yard return for a touchdown last week at Michigan.

Sophomore corner back Greg Harris has started the last three games for the Rockets and has 10 total tackles, as well as a forced fumble. The team’s other corner, sophomore Desmond Marrow is sixth on the team with 30 tackles.

The team’s fifth defensive back is rover Lester Richmond. The Chicago native is fourth on the team with 34 tackles and also has two tackles for loss.

Grade — B

Special Teams

Junior kicker Alex Steigerwald had a streak of 23 consecutive field goals that was snapped on Oct. 4 vs. Ball State. Steigerwald is on pace to break the NCAA record for field goal accuracy.

On the season, Steigerwald is 10-for-12 with a long of 48. In 2007, Steigerwald was a perfect 13-for-13 and was named second-team All-MAC.

The Rockets aren’t as strong at punter, as freshman Bill Claus ranks No. 10 in the MAC with a 38-yard average.

Toledo has had four players return kickoffs this season. Last week against Michigan, the two players who returned kicks were freshmen running backs Morgan Williams and Jake Walker.

The Rockets main punt returner is wide receiver Nick Moore. However, Moore was the other player who got into a fight outside a bar Saturday night. According to the Toledo Blade, Moore will play, but won’t start.

Grade — C+