It’s one of the MAC’s most storied competitive rivalries, so of course, this tussle between the Northern Illinois Huskies (4-2, 2-0 MAC) and Toledo Rockets (3-3, 1-1 MAC) could only end one way: The Hard Way.
It was John Richardson’s program-record performance that would define the final tally, as he sailed through a 29-yard field goal try true to cap off a nine-play, 60-yard NIU drive which took 3:02 off the clock to give the young Huskies the 22-20 lead, which would ultimately hold up when the clock struck triple zeroes.
The Huskies struck first blood, with Richardson’s first field goal at the 10:33 mark of the first quarter from 43 yards out to cap an 11-play, 50 yard drive and take a 3-0 lead.