TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo will play its only home midweek MACtion game of the season when it hosts Northern Illinois on Wednesday, Nov. 5 (7:00 p.m./ESPN2).

Toledo (4-4, 2-2 MAC) is undefeated at home and returns to the Glass Bowl coming off a 28-7 defeat at Washington State on Oct. 25. A Tucker Gleason touchdown pass to Junior Vandeross III late in the second quarter trimmed WSU's lead to 21-7 at halftime. Toledo had chances to further cut into the Cougars' lead in the second half but was not able to capitalize.

The defense had another solid outing, holding Washington State to 323 total yards of offense and forcing two turnovers. Junior safety Braden Awls had a career-best two interceptions in the second half, while senior safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren led the Rockets with 12 tackles.

Toledo's defense currently ranks third in the FBS in total defense (236.3 yards allowed per game), trailing only Ohio State (216.9) and Iowa (234.9). The Rockets lead the MAC in every significant defensive category and are No. 1 in the league on offense with 31.8 points and 436.5 yards per game.

Northern Illinois (2-6, 1-3 MAC) is coming off a 21-7 win at Ball State, snapping a six-game losing streak. This is the last season for NIU as a member of the Mid-American Conference. Next season, the Huskies are moving to the Mountain West Conference in football and to the Horizon League for all other sports.  

Toledo vs. Northern Illinois
Wednesday, Nov. 5 - 7:00 p.m. 
The Glass Bowl • Toledo, Ohio
Mission: Midweek

• 2025 TEAM RECORDS: 
    Toledo (4-4, 2-2 MAC)
    Northern Illinois (2-6, 1-3 MAC)

• SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads 35-17 and has won the last three meetings.

• THE COACHES: 
    Jason Candle, 77-44 (10th year) at Toledo, same overall. 6-3 vs. NIU
    Thomas Hammock, 33-44 (7th year) at NIU same overall. 2-4 vs. Toledo.

• TV/STREAMING: ESPN2
    Play by Play: Jay Alter
    Analyst: Rocky Boiman

• ROCKET RADIO NETWORK: Pregame begins at 6:00 p.m.
   Play by Play: Mark Beier
    Analyst: Jack Mewhort
    Sidelines: Pete Seymour

• WEB-AUDIO: Free live audio streaming of the UT Rocket Radio Network broadcast on the Varsity Network App or UTRockets.com. 

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

• TICKETS: 
    Online at UTRockets.com/FBtix, by phone at 419-530-GOLD (4653) or at the Rocket Ticket Office in Savage Arena.

The Launch Pad
 • Toledo leads the series with NIU, 35-17, and has won three straight in the series.
 • Toledo's defense ranks third in the FBS in total defense (236.3) behind Ohio State (216.9) and Iowa (234.9).
 • In other FBS rankings, Toledo ranks fourth in passing yards allowed (142.8), 12th in scoring defense (16.0), 12th in defensive passing efficiency (107.20), 14th in rushing defense (93.5) and 16th in third-down defense conversion (30.6%).
 • Toledo ranks first in the MAC in scoring offense (31.8), scoring defense (16.0), total offense (436.5), total defense (236.3), rushing defense (93.5), passing offense (253.3), passing defense (142.8), defensive pass efficiency (107.20) and punt return defense (3.4).
 • Senior safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren was one of 15 players chosen as semifinalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back.
 • McNeil-Warren and senior running back Chip Trayanum have received official invitations to the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas on Jan. 26, 2026.
 • Senior wide receiver Junior Vandeross III leads the MAC and is tied for fourth in the nation with eight TD receptions. He is second in the MAC and eighth in the FBS in receptions (52), and second in the league and 12th nationally in receptions per game (6.5).
• Senior running back Chip Trayanum leads the MAC and is 11th in the nation in rushing yards per game (100.2). He has missed Toledo's last two games due to injury.
 • Junior safety Braden Awls leads the MAC with four interceptions, just one off the national lead of five. Awls has had all four of his picks in Toledo's last three games, including a career-high two at Washington State on Oct. 25.