DeKalb, Ill. – Sophomore quarterback Eli Peters completed 26-of-47 passes for 264 yards, but Toledo could not keep pace in a 38-15 loss at Northern Illinois Wednesday night.
     The loss eliminated Toledo (5-5, 3-3) from contention in the MAC West Division race. Northern Illinois (7-3, 6-0 MAC) needs to win just one of its final two games to claim the division title.
     The Rockets outgained the Huskies in total yards, 431-427, but missed opportunities and big plays by NIU were the difference. Toledo trailed by just one, 10-9, late in the first half when NIU's Sutton Smith blocked a punt and returned it 27 yards for a touchdown. The Huskies scored twice in the third quarter while the Rockets did not find the end zone again until late in the game.
     Senior wide receiver Cody Thompson led the offense with eight receptions for 110 yards. Junior Diontae Johnson added seven catches for 52 yards, while senior Jon'Vea Johnson chipped in with four receptions and one TD. Junior Art Thompkins led the rushing attack with 62 yards on 12 carries.
     Toledo has two games left on its schedule and must win at least one to become bowl eligible.
First Quarter
     Toledo's first score was set up by the defense. The Rockets stopped NIU on fourth-and-one from its own 45-yard line. UT then moved the ball down to the eight-yard line before settling for a 25-yard field goal by Jameson Vest. The Rockets' D struck again when junior tight end Jordan Fisher forced a fumble on a pass completion that was recovered by sophomore cornerback Justin Clark on the UT 48-yard line. However, Toledo missed a chance to add to its lead when Vest's 36-yard field goal attempt hooked left. A little later in the quarter, NIU took advantage of a short field, driving 46 yards in five plays to take a 7-3 lead. The score came on a short pass to Corey Lersch, who broke a tackle and took it 33 yards to the house.
Second Quarter
     Toledo pinned the Huskies at their own seven-yard line on a short punt by Bailey Flint, but NIU was able to drive 62 yards downfield to set up a 48-yard field goal by Andrew Gantz. The Rockets cut the lead to one, 10-9, on a 23-yard TD toss into the end zone from Peters to Jon'Vea Johnson. Vest, however, missed the extra point, his first missed PAT this season. Northern's special teams countered with a big play late in the first half as Sutton Smith blocked a Flint punt, then scooped the ball up and took it in 27 yards for the score.
Third Quarter
     After Toledo stalled on its first drive, NIU extended its lead with an 11-play, 82-yard drive on its first possession of the half. Quarterback Marcus Childers finished off the drive with a one-yard score to make it 24-9. Toledo missed an opportunity to get back in the game after redshirt freshman safety Zachary Ford made a diving interception at the UT 40-yard line. However, the Rockets were unable to move the ball and were forced to punt. Northern responded with a four-play, 69-yard drive to effectively put the game away. Childers scored from 23 yards out with six seconds left in the quarter to extend the NIU lead to 31-9.
Fourth Quarter
     Toledo capped a six-minute drive with a one-yard rushing TD from Shakif Seymour. A failed two-point conversion attempt made the score 31-15. NIU capped the scoring with a 44-yard TD run by Marcus Jones with 3:18 left.
Up Next
     The Rockets next play at Kent State in Kent, Ohio on Thursday, Nov. 15.
Highlights from UT's game against Northern Illinois.
Head Coach Jason Candle post-game.
