Chicago, IL – The Toledo Rockets' football game at Northern Illinois next season will be played at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, the first-ever football game to be played in the home of the Chicago White Sox since 1991, it was announced in a news conference at the ball park today.
 
            The Rockets and Huskies will square off in the "Huskie Chi-Town Showdown" on Wednesday, Nov. 9. The kickoff time and national television outlet will be announced later.
 
            "Our rivalry with Northern Illinois has been a terrific one and we are honored to be part of this historic event at U.S. Cellular Field," Vice-President/Athletic Director Mike O'Brien said. "These games are good for the Mid-American Conference, and I expect our fans will definitely want to come to Chicago for what should be a great game."
 
            "We are excited and honored to be playing Northern Illinois in a venue that hosted the World Series not too long ago," Head Coach Jason Candle said. "We are looking forward to the game and bringing Rocket Nation to Chicago."
 
            Toledo was 10-2 in 2015 with victories over then-No. 18 Arkansas and then-No. 24 Temple. The 32-17 victory over Temple came in the Marmot Boca Raton Bowl, which was also Candle's debut as head coach. Northern Illinois was 8-6. Both schools were part of a four-way tie for first place in the MAC's West Division, with NIU winning the tie-breaker and representing the West in the MAC Championship Game.
 
            Toledo leads the all-time series with Northern Illinois, 29-14, but the Huskies have won six straight contests, including a 32-27 victory in Toledo in 2015.