Richter-to-Newton connection sparks Toledo in low-scoring win over Northern Illinois

DeKalb, Ill. - Alan Richter and Jerjuan Newton connected on a 52-yard pass for the game's only touchdown and Toledo defeated Northern Illinois 13-6 on Saturday.

Richter's pass to Newton gave the Rockets (5-2, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) a 7-3 lead midway through the second quarter and after the Huskies followed with a field goal the Rockets led 7-6 at halftime.

"I thought we played extremely hard, I thought it was an evenly matched football game," NIU head coach Thomas Hammock said according to NIU Athletics. "Our defense played lights out. To hold a team to 13 points, they gave us a chance to win, we just didn’t score enough on offense to get it done. It was a tough football game both ways and they made one more play than we did."

Toledo's Dylan Cunanan kicked two field goals of less than 30 yards for the only scoring of the second half.

Northern Illinois (4-3, 1-2) had a 391-285 advantage in total yards but was 4 for 19 on third down and 2 of 8 on fourth. Toledo was 2 of 15 on third and 0 for 2 on fourth.

Richter completed 15 of 28 passes for 152 yards for the Rockets and Josh Holst was 22 of 46 for 210 yards for the Huskies.

No player for either team had more than 80 yards rushing or receiving.