Huskies fighting for bowl eligibility vs. Toledo
DEKALB - The Northern Illinois football team got punched in the mouth against Central Michigan, and the Huskies don't want it to happen again when they play Toledo on Wednesday in the Glass Bowl.
Watching the game film after the 48-10 loss to the Chippewas, redshirt senior offensive lineman Jordan Steckler said the team had to embrace and grow from the pain of being pushed around in the Huskies' largest Mid-American Conference loss (38 points) since 2007's 70-21 loss to Toledo.
"You've got to let it hurt," Steckler said at Thursday's news conference. "We watched it all together like every group did. As an [offensive] line, we all watched it, and we talked over what the critical mistakes were and major theme as to why we performed poorly, and you've got to let it hurt."
Hammock is hopeful several more days of rest will benefit his team, as the loss to the Chippewas was nine days before Wednesday's kickoff, the Huskies' first dose of weeknight MACtion of the season.
"They played physical, and they knocked us back, and I wish I could say I saw that coming, but I didn't," coach Thomas Hammock said. "It's something we learn from. We've been able to have some physical practices the last couple days, which has been good."
Hindering the possibility of being the more physical team is the fact that the Huskies (3-6, 2-3 MAC) will be missing more players on the offensive line for the contest against Toledo (6-3, 3-2).
Starting center C.J. Perez was in a walking boot and riding a scooter for assistance at practice Thursday and was one of several Huskies banged up at the practice.
Asked if he could confirm if Perez would be done for the year, Hammock said "I can't confirm that, no."
One lineman who figures to see some time with Perez banged up is true freshman Logan Zschernitz, who took repetitions in practice at right guard.
Setting the tone on the line is a focus for the Huskies now more than ever heading into Toledo after rushing for only 22 yards against the Chips.
"We looked at watching film, and we flinched," Steckler said. "We got hit early and made some critical mistakes, and we never bounced back. The message this week is to just be physical and respond better."
Offensive line coach Daryl Agpalsa emphasized the need for physical practices after the line's poor showing against Central Michigan.
"You've got to get punched in the face a little bit to wake up," Agpalsa said. "I think they're woken up, and I think they're excited."
Quarterback Ross Bowers went into the game on NIU's third drive after the Huskies had fallen behind, 14-0, in the CMU loss and went on to throw interceptions on three consecutive possessions in the second half.
The Huskies' defense yielded 615 yards of offense to the Chippewas, 327 of them rushing.
"Most of it was just technique issues, which is very fixable, but it just comes down to us being able to look at the corrections honestly and look at the mistakes honestly and be able to make corrections off it," outside linebacker Nick Rattin said.
The Rockets' defensive strength in recent years often has been its defensive line, and that hasn't changed in 2019.
"They're a good group," Steckler said. "They're a real solid, consistent defensive line. You have to continue to watch them. They do some things up front that we'll have to be ready for."
A loss would put the Huskies out of bowl game contention.