DeKALB – The Huskies (1-5, 0-2 MAC) made the game interesting in the fourth quarter, but ultimately fell short of the University of Toledo Rockets (4-2, 2-0 MAC) in the 115th homecoming football game.

Sophomore cornerback Quinyon Mitchell had four interceptions and returned two for touchdowns to tie a Toledo school record for most interceptions in a game.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ethan Hampton finished the game with 30 pass completions, 284 yards and two touchdowns. Hampton also finished the game with four interceptions.

“Not good enough, I mean, you can’t throw four picks and expect to win the game,” head coach Thomas Hammock said regarding Hampton’s performance. “He’s (Hampton) gotta look at the film and be able to evaluate that.”

Sophomore running back Antario Brown was NIU’s leading rusher for the game, totaling 84 rushing yards on 17 carries and one touchdown. Sophomore running back Harrison Waylee was NIU’s leading receiver in the game as he had 96 receiving yards on 10 receptions.

The Huskie defense gave up 38 points in the game.

“It’s really simple on the defensive side of the ball. It’s the basics, do your job and get the ball down,” sophomore linebacker Daveren Rayner said. “I feel like that’s something we need to get better at.”

The game started with Toledo’s sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn completing a four-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Jerjuan Newton on their opening drive.

On the Huskies’ opening drive, Hampton threw his first interception to Mitchell on the second play of the Huskies’ first possession. It was returned for a Toledo touchdown.

Sophomore quarterback Justin Lynch rushed for a 15-yard touchdown that put NIU on the board and made the score 14-7.

Finn and Newton connected for their second touchdown of the first quarter which increased the Toledo lead to 21-7.

Toledo capitalized on a fourth down, roughing the passer penalty that kept their drive alive. The Rockets scored on a one-yard touchdown rush by sophomore running back Jacquez Stuart.

Hampton went on to throw his second pick-six of the game which extended Toledo’s lead to 35-7.

To end the first half, Hampton was intercepted by Mitchell again in Toledo’s endzone.

Hampton struggled in the first half, throwing three interceptions and only passing for 99 yards. The running game was able to gain NIU’s only touchdown of the first half, gaining 85 yards and one touchdown. The Huskies also struggled with penalties in the first half as they had four for 56 yards.

The Huskies opening drive of the second half resulted in another interception by Mitchell. Junior kicker Thomas Cluckey kicked a 33-yard field goal following Mitchell’s interception.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Tucker Gleason connected with senior tight end Jamal Turner for a 15-yard score, which extended Toledo’s lead to 45-7. The touchdown pass was the first of Gleason’s college career.

Brown opened the fourth quarter with a five-yard touchdown run to give NIU its first touchdown since the first quarter. The Huskies went for a two-point attempt and converted on a catch by redshirt senior tight end Liam Soraghan.

Following the touchdown, the Huskies attempted an onside kick and were successful. The kick was recovered by sophomore safety Nate Valcarcel.

NIU attempted another onside kick and recovered again, this time by redshirt senior defensive end Michael Kennedy.

The Huskies scored on a five-yard touchdown pass from Hampton to redshirt sophomore wide receiver Messiah Travis.

Hampton threw a touchdown pass to sophomore tight end Drew Cassens in the final minute of the game. The Huskies attempted a two point conversion and were successful after Waylee rushed into the endzone

“Certainly not the way we wanted to play or how we wanted to perform, and that falls squarely on me,” Hammock said. “We have to figure out a way to get ourselves up and play.”

NIU’s next game will take place against the Eastern Michigan University Eagles at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The game will be available to watch on ESPN+. Live stats can be found at sidearm  stats.