Northern Illinois at Toledo scouting report

Posted October 31, 2011 12:00 am

Northern Illinois (5-3, 3-1) at Toledo (5-3, 4-0)

When: 6 p.m. at the Glass Bowl

TV: ESPN2

Radio: WSCR 670-AM, WLBK 1360-AM.

Series: Toledo leads 29-9; NIU won 65-30 last season.

Coaches: Dave Doeren (5-3, first year at NIU); Tim Beckman (18-15, third year at Toledo).

Players to watch: Toledo makes good use of a two quarterback system, considering junior Austin Dantin and sophomore Terrance Owens ranks second and third, respectively, in the MAC in passing efficiency. WR Eric Page is second in the league with 66 receptions. Senior CB Desmond Marrow had 2 interceptions last week against Miami. … Behind an experienced offensive line, led by seniors Trevor Olson and Joe Pawlak, Northern Illinois leads the MAC in total offense and hasn’t allowed a sack in three games.

The skinny: In order for Northern Illinois to repeat as MAC West champs, it badly needs a win tonight. A loss would put the Huskies two games behind first-place Toledo with just three left to play. The road hasn’t been friendly to NIU this season. It lost at Central Michigan in the conference opener, then barely survived at Buffalo last week, squeaking out a 31-30 win when the host Bulls missed a tying extra point with 14 seconds remaining. The Huskies held a 31-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Two things Toledo does well is force turnovers (fourth in the nation in turnover margin at plus-13) and stop the run. Miami managed just 14 rushing yards in last week’s 49-28 loss to the Rockets.

Fast fact: Northern Illinois is 2-18 all-time in games at Toledo, last winning in 2005.

— Mike McGraw

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