TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo will try to build on the momentum of a big victory over Central Michigan when it travels to MAC West Division rival Northern Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 8 (3:30 p.m. ET/2:30 CT/ESPN+).

The Rockets (3-2, 1-0 MAC) currently share first place in the West with Western Michigan. A win over the Huskies (1-4, 0-1 MAC) would give Toledo a two -game edge plus the tie-breaker over the preseason favorite. 

Sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn threw for 186 yards and two touchdowns and the Rockets' defense forced three turnovers to lead Toledo to its 38-17 victory over CMU. Finn threw for a pair of scores in the first half as the Rockets rolled to a 31-3 lead at halftime. Toledo's defense snuffed out the Chippewas' rally in the second half, forcing two fumbles and stopping CMU on downs late in the game.

 Toledo outgained CMU, 447-285, and held its opponent to just 33 rushing yards. The Rockets rushed for a season-high 261 yards and were led by sophomore running back Jacquez Stuart, who rushed for 112 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver DeMeer Blankumsee led the receiving corps with five receptions for 106 yards and a score.

Following a season-opening 34-27 victory over Eastern Illinois, Northern Illinois has dropped four straight close games against Tulsa, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Ball State. NIU held a commanding 31-7 lead over Ball State last Saturday before the Cardinals won in overtime in Muncie, 44-38. Harrison Waylee, who rushed for 230 yards and three touchdowns vs. Ball State, is fourth in the MAC with 445 rushing yards and is averaging 5.3 yards per carry. 

Toledo vs. Northern Illinois

• TEAM RECORDS: 
    Toledo (3-2, 1-0 MAC)
    Northern Illinois (1-4, 0-1 MAC)

• SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads, 32-17. NIU won at Toledo last year, 22-20.

• THE COACHES: 
    Jason Candle, 48-29 (7th year) at Toledo, same overall. 3-3 vs. NIU.
    Thomas Hammock, 15-22 (4th year) at NIU same overall. 2-1 vs. Toledo.

• TV/STREAMING: ESPN+
    Play by Play: Doug Sherman
    Analyst: Forrest Conoly

• ROCKET RADIO NETWORK: Pregame begins at 2:00 p.m.
   Play by Play: Brent Balbinot
    Analyst: Jack Mewhort
    Sidelines: Mike Robinson

• WEB-AUDIO: Listen here for free live audio streaming of the UT Rocket Radio Network broadcast on UTRockets.com. 

• TWITTER: 
    @ToledoFB: Regular updates on UT Football, live updates on Game Day.

• TICKETS: 
    Online at UTRockets.com/tix, by phone at 419-530-GOLD (4653) or at the Rocket Ticket Office in Savage Arena. Click below for tickets to Toledo's remaining home games.
Oct. 15 vs. Kent State
Nov. 8 vs. Ball State
Nov. 15 vs. Bowling Green

Rocket Blasts
• Toledo's defense ranks first in the MAC in points allowed (24.2), passing yards allowed (183.0) and defensive passing efficiency (126.0); and second in total defense (339.0).
• Toledo's offense ranks first in the MAC in scoring (33.0) and fifth in total offense (395.6).
• Toledo leads the series with Northern Illinois, 32-17. The Huskies won in Toledo last year, 22-20.
• From 2010-19, the Toledo-NIU game was played in November and in all 10 seasons either determined the outcome of MAC West Division title race or was played with at least one team still fighting for the crown.
• Sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn has completed 59.2 percent of his passes for 967 yards and eight TDs. He ranks fourth in the MAC in passing efficiency (134.3). He is also the Rockets' leading rusher with 336 yards and five scores.
• Sophomore wide receiver DeMeer Blankumsee leads the team with 29 receptions, which ranks sixth in the MAC.
• Junior linebacker Dallas Gant leads the team with 42 tackles, which is tied for seventh among MAC players. Senior defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson is tied for second in the MAC with 6.5 tackles for loss. 
 

Weekly Press Conference with Head Coach Jason Candle.