FACTS & STATS: Site: Glass Bowl (26,248) -- Toledo, Ohio. Television: None. Home Record: NIU 2-1, Toledo 1-1. Away Record: NIU 1-1, Toledo 2-1. Neutral Record: NIU 0-0, Toledo 0-1. Conference Record: NIU 1-0, Toledo 1-1. Series Record: Toledo leads, 28-8.

GAME NOTES: After having a week off, the Northern Illinois Huskies will return to the field Saturday night when they take on the Toledo Rockets in a Mid- American Conference battle at the Glass Bowl.

The Huskies head into this matchup refreshed and ready to roll, as the team enjoyed a break from action this past Saturday. The last time NIU was on the field the team pounded Western Michigan, 38-3. It was the third win in the last four games for the Huskies, who are 1-1 on the road this year. Over the previous two seasons NIU has struggled away from home, losing nine of its 12 matchups as the visitor.

As for the Rockets, they saw their modest two-game winning streak come to a halt on Saturday, as the team was destroyed by Western Michigan, 58-26. The Rockets, who have not posted a winning ledger in league action since 2005 (6-2), fell to 1-1 against conference foes this year.

The Rockets have dominated the all-time series against Northern Illinois, winning 28 of the 36 matchups, but last year the Huskies got the better of Toledo, defeating their conference opponent, 38-7.

The Huskies play a grinding, punishing style of football, which consists of a heavy dose of their rushing attack. Coming into this weekend the Huskies are churning out 201.4 ypg on the ground and out of the 18 touchdowns scored by this unit, 12 have come via the run. Me'co Brown and Chad Spann have been a dangerous tandem in the backfield, as Brown is pacing the team with 465 yards to go along with three scores, while Spann has been a terror near the goal line, scoring nine touchdowns to go along with 284 yards. Quarterback Chandler Harnish has chipped in with 143 rushing yards, but the signal caller has been better with his arm, throwing for 810 yards and six scores, while completing an impressive 64.7 percent of his passes. NIU's success on the ground continued in the team's win over Western Michigan, as the Huskies pounded the Broncos for 255 yards on 5.1 yards per attempt. Spann led the way with 132 yards and three scores, while Brown contributed 88 yards on 15 totes. Harnish was not counted on to lead the way since the ground game's success, but the signal caller did perform at a high level in his small role, completing 9-of-15 passes for 135 yards and one touchdown.

Not to be overlooked is the play of the defense for Northern Illinois, which is allowing 343.8 total yards, but that has only translated into 18.6 ppg. The team has allowed seven rushing touchdowns on the year, but the true success of this unit has come against the pass, as NIU is limiting opponents to just 211.6 ypg through the air. Northern Illinois comes into this matchup with 12 takeaways (five interceptions and seven fumbles), but pressuring the quarterback has been an issue, as the team has recorded just seven sacks in five games. The Huskies continued their success defending the pass in the win over WMU, as the defense held the Broncos to just 178 yards through the air, and also recorded three interceptions. Overall the defense limited Western Michigan to just 251 total yards, and although the team did not grab a sack in the win, the unit was able to shut down the Broncos on critical plays, holding the opponent to just 5-of-14 on third down attempts.

The Rockets have exploded offensively this season as the team is producing a whopping 470.2 total ypg, leading to a healthy 31.5 ppg. Toledo is churning out 146.2 rushing ypg, but the true success of this offense has been the passing attack, which is torching opponents for 324.0 ypg and out of the 24 touchdowns scores by the Toledo, 17 have come via the pass. DaJuane Collins is pacing the team on the ground with 453 yards and four touchdowns, while Morgan Williams has contributed 208 yards on 5.1 yards per attempt. Quarterback Aaron Opelt has scored three rushing TDs on the season, but the gunslinger has been outstanding with his arm, throwing for 1,784 yards and 14 touchdowns against five interceptions. Unfortunately Opelt suffered an injury to his shoulder in the team's recent loss to Western Michigan and left the game with only 80 yards on 6-of-15 passing. Austin Dantin stepped in however, and did an admirable job, completing 17-of-28 throws for 160 yards and three scores. It is unclear if Opelt will be ready for Saturday's matchup with Northern Illinois, but if he can not take the field, Dantin showed enough against WMU that should make fans of Toledo feel confident.

What has taken away from the success of the offense has been the play of the defense, as Toledo is being picked apart for 454.0 total ypg and 41.2 ppg. The team has struggled against the run and the pass equally, as the Rockets are being punished for 188.8 rushing ypg and 265.2 ypg through the air. The defense has already surrendered 32 total touchdowns with 15 coming on the ground and 17 coming through the air. Surprisingly the defense has been able to make big plays, racking up 13 turnovers (nine interceptions and four fumbles), and 12 sacks. In the loss to Western Michigan, the defense was once again embarrassed, allowing 534 total yards, including 263 yards and four scores through the air. The unit was also pounded on the ground, surrendering 252 rushing yards and four more touchdowns. Toledo forced just one turnover and recorded zero sacks, while also allowing the Broncos to convert on all six of their red zone chances.

Toledo's success will depend on the shoulder of Opelt. If the quarterback is healthy, the Rockets should have a shot in this contest, but even with a healthy quarterback, Toledo will need to find a way to shut down NIU's dangerous ground attack.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Northern Illinois 28, Toledo 24

Saturday, October 17th, 7:00 p.m. (et)