Rockets Fall to Northern Illinois, 38-7

Saturday, October 18

DeKalb, IL

3:00 p.m. (CT)

University of Toledo

Northern Illinois

10/18/2008 4:00:00 AM | Football

DeKalb, IL - A week after upsetting Michigan, the Toledo Rockets were beaten decisively by Northern Illinois, 38-7, in Mid-American Conference play at Huskie Stadium in DeKalb, IL on Saturday.

Toledo (2-5, 1-2 MAC) was not able to contain NIU's offense, which racked up 393 yards of total offense, 220 yards on the ground and 173 in the air. The Rockets were able to move the ball from time to time, but were only able to find the end zone once.

The Huskies got out in front quickly, scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions to take a 21-0 lead into halftime. Chad Spann spun out of a tackle and scored from 12 yards out to cap off a 12 play, 67-yard drive and score NIU's first TD. On the next drive, QB Chandler Harnish hit Marcus Perez for a 45-yard scoring strike to put NIU up, 14-0. NIU went up 21-0 on a two-yard run by Spann midway through the second quarter.

Toledo was shut out in the first half, but scored on its first possession of the second half. Redshirt freshman Morgan Williams capped an 11-play drive with a 21-yard touchdown run around the right end.

Toledo was led by junior QB Aaron Opelt, who complete 16-of-22 passes for 138 yards. However, Opelt left the game with an injury following a sack in the fourth quarter. Opelt was replaced by sophomore Alex Pettee, who completed 1-of-2 passes for 11 yards. Junior WR Stephen Williams led all receivers with nine receptions.

The victory was the first for Northern Illinois (4-3, 3-1 MAC) at home against Toledo in its last seven tries. The last home victory for the Huskies over Toledo came in 1989.

The Rockets will try to re-group in time for a tough game vs. two-time MAC champion Central Michigan at the Glass Bowl next Saturday (noon kickoff).