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.

Offensive line

When the NASA space program was young, it built large massive rockets to get astronauts to space.

In 2008, the Toldeo Rockets have one of the youngest lines, with only one upperclassman in left guard Jared DeWalt. But Toledo is showing it’s not the age of a line, but its size that can get you where you need to go.

In six games the Rockets have only allowed five sacks, ranking them first in the MAC. Toledo’s protection of the quarterback ranks No. 10 in the nation.

The key to protecting its precious cargo, for Toledo, has been the size of its line. If left tackle Mike VanDerMeulen was compared to any rocket in the space program, he would be the massive Saturn V. The redshirt freshman not only weighs 315 pounds, but stands 6 feet 7-inches above the ground.

With an average weight and height over 300 pounds and 6 feet 4 inches, these massive Rockets have been a challenge for any defensive line to beat.

Grade: A-

Quarterbacks

Being a hunter, quarterback Aaron Opelt is used to being patient, a key skill for any quarterback.

The junior has completed 60.6 percent of his passes this season, throwing seven touchdowns compared to three interceptions.

However, Opelt has only passed for 1,126 yards on 131 completions, which is an average of 8.6 yards per pass. In comparison, to the MAC top 10 quarterbacks, this ranks last in yards per completion.

Opelt is also only one of two quarterbacks who is averaging less than 10 yards per completion among the top ten MAC quarterback.

These results have led Toledo to posses the No. 10 pass offense in the MAC and No. 78 pass offense in the nation, as it averages 198.8 passing yards per game.

Grade: B-

Wide receivers and tight ends

Last week, wide receiver Nick Moore caught 20 passes for 162 yards, as Toledo beat Michigan 13-10.

However, the senior wide out will not be in the starting lineup on Saturday, as he was arrested outside a bar on Sunday morning. Moore was charged with disorderly conduct for starting a fight.

There is a chance Moore may play though. In a media release on Tuesday Toledo head coach Tom Amstutz announced, “Both players will be held out of the starting lineup this Saturday against Northern Illinois.” However, he did not say anything about a suspension.

Moore is second on the team with 361 reception yards. Wide receiver Stephen Williams leads the Rockets with 406 yards and five touchdowns this season.

Past these two receivers, Toledo’s production has dropped. Tight end John Allen and wide receiver Robin Bailey are third and fourth with reception yards respectively. Allen has 142 yards in six games, while Bailey has 100 yards over the same time.

Grade: C+

Running backs

Just like NIU, Toledo uses multiple running backs to carry the load. The Rockets primarily use tailback DaJuane Collins and Morgan Williams for their multiple back attack.

Collins, a redshirt junior, is averaging 7.3 yards per carry, as he has 436 yards on 60 rushes. The 5-foot-10-inch, 211-pound tailback is averaging 87.2 yards per game and has crossed the endzone four times.

Williams, a redshirt freshman, is a bit smaller than Collins at 195 pounds. The 5-foot-11-inch running back has produced 314 yards on the ground on 77 attempts for Toledo. Williams has scored two touchdowns, and is averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

Despite the success these two back are having, Toledo only has the sixth best rushing offense in the MAC. It ranks as the No. 77 rushing attack in the nation as the Rockets have only rushed for more than 100 yards in a game for three times this season.

Grade: C-