Season Ends

Huskies, Rockets to collide

One game.

After 11 weekends and 10 games of football, whether or not the Huskies will have a winning record for the 1992 season depends on Saturday’s final home and regular-season game against the Toledo Rockets at 1:05 at Huskie Stadium.

“I know that 6-5 looks and sounds better than 5-6,” said NIU head coach Charlie Sadler. “I don’t think that 6-5 is the true indication of how this team has improved.

“This year we realistically had a chance to win every game we played. There were five games last year in which we had no chance at winning. This is not just one game. It’s a whole season.”

The Rockets come into tomorrow’s ballgame at 7-3 (5-3 in the Mid-American Conference) and lead the series 17-6.

Toledo is led by quarterback Kevin Meger. Earlier in the year he threw 33 of 52 completions for 305 yards against the Purdue Boilermakers. He will finish No. 2 in career total offense in Toledo history.

Toledo’s defense is stifling as the Rockets are ranked No. 14 in the nation against the rush and have allowed just 14.5 points per game.

NIU has a few weapons of its own going into the final game of the year. The Huskies currently own three 20-catch players on their roster for the first time since 1984.

Flankers Larry Wynn, William Patrick and split end Vaurice Patterson will try to continue NIU’s air attack. Wynn leads the team in receiving with 34 catches for 509 yards and two touchdowns. He has the most receptions in one season since Reggie Sims’ 39 catches in 1984.

Despite LeShon Johnson’s 68-yard performance last week against Army, he still ranks among the Top 5 rushers in the nation. Johnson is currently No. 4.

It will be the final game for the collegiate careers of 17 NIU players. They include tight end Cory Blake, outside tackle Brad Capes, cornerback Rich Favor, outside linebacker Scott Hein, defensive end Mike Jordan, outside guard Dagan Lutjen, outside linebacker Walter Marshall, flanker William Patrick, free safety Tom Rhomberg, quarterback Rob Rugai, split end Brett Schroeder, small safety Jeff Taylor, nose guard Rob Wagner, center Kurt Weinberg, inside linebacker David Wick, outside guard Ken Williams and flanker Larry Wynn.

“This is a group that obviously endured a horrendous season a year ago,” said Sadler. “These same seniors fought and battled every step of the way and did everything possible to help this team improve this year.