FACTS & STATS: Site: Huskie Stadium (24,000) -- DeKalb, Illinois. Television: Comcast Sportsnet. Home Record: Toledo 0-3, NIU 2-0. Away Record: Toledo 2-1, NIU 1-3. Neutral Record: Toledo 0-0, NIU 0-0. Conference Record: Toledo 1-1, NIU 2-1. Series Record: Toledo leads, 28-7.

GAME NOTES: Coming off a tremendous victory over the Michigan Wolverines, the Toledo Rockets will try to ride that momentum into DeKalb, as they battle the Northern Illinois Huskies in a Mid-American Conference showdown at Huskie Stadium. Toledo snapped a three-game losing skid this past weekend with a shocking, 13-10 win over Michigan at the Big House. It was just the second win of the season for Toledo, and more importantly it was the first victory for a MAC team against the Wolverines. As for the Huskies, they have won three of their last four games, including a hard-fought 17-13 victory over Miami-Ohio this past weekend. Since rejoining the MAC back in 1997, the Huskies have posted a 49-39 ledger against conference teams, and that includes the team's 2-1 ledger against league foes this season. The Rockets have dominated the all-time series against Northern Illinois, winning 28 of the 35 matchups.

The Rockets did not score a single offensive touchdown this past weekend against Michigan, but that did not matter, as Toledo still shocked the Wolverines, 13-10. Toledo collected just 327 total yards, but the majority of the team's success came through the air, as Aaron Opelt threw for 257 yards. Nick Moore was used throughout the contest, as the receiver grabbed an amazing 20 passes for 162 yards. The ground game did not have must success against Michigan, as Toledo rushed for just 70 yards on 3.2 ypc. DaJuane Collins did most of the damage as the tailback rumbled for 65 yards on just 10 totes. Collins has been the main option in the backfield for the Rockets, leading the team with 436 yards and four touchdowns. As for Opelt, he has completed 60.6 percent of his throws thus far, and has tallied 1,126 yards. After six games, the signal caller has tossed seven touchdowns against just three interceptions.

Toledo came into the matchup with Michigan as one of the worst defensive teams in the nation, but that was not the case Saturday, as the Rockets held Michigan to just 10 points. The Rockets held the Wolverines to just 290 total yards, and also forced three turnovers in the victory. Toledo allowed 170 rushing yards in the contest, and that has been the team's main problem throughout the season, as opponents are rumbling for 171.2 ypg on the ground. Despite the strong effort against Michigan, the Rockets are still surrendering 358.0 total ypg, and that has led to a putrid 31.5 ppg. Archie Donald is currently pacing the Rockets with 50 tackles and also has two interceptions on the season.

The Huskies have been mediocre at best offensively, as the team is averaging just 342.5 total ypg, and that has led to 27.3 ppg. The majority of the team's success has come via the run, as NIU is pounding opponents for 170.2 ypg on the ground. Me'Co Brown has been the top option out of the backfield for the Huskies, as the tailback has rushed for 348 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback DeMarcus Grady is currently second on the squad with 187 yards and has a team-high three rushing TDs. NIU's success on the ground continued this past weekend in the win over Miami, as the Huskies gashed the RedHawks for 215 yards on 5.8 ypc. Brown did most of the work in the win, as the RB tallied 123 yards on just 16 totes. Grady added 43 yards, while Chad Spann chipped in with 21 yards and found the end zone once.

Surprisingly the NIU defense has been carried by its defense, as the unit is limiting the opposition to just 290.2 total ypg, and only 14.8 ppg. The front line has done a tremendous job against the run, holding teams to a mere 114.8 ypg on just 3.7 ypc. This defense has struggled to make big plays on the year, as the squad has forced just 11 turnovers, while collecting only 10 sacks in six games. The strong play for NIU continued this past weekend when the defense limited the RedHawks to just 294 yards and 13 points. The Huskies did not force a turnover in the win, but held Miami to just 6-of-16 on third down attempts and allowed just 16 first downs in the contest. David Bryant led the way with nine tackles in the contest, while Melvin Rice added seven stops.

The Rockets pulled off an amazing win this past weekend, but do not expect a similar outcome against the Huskies. NIU has an extremely tough defense, and will likely ride its ground game all the way to victory.