The Zeitgeist List · rivalries
NIU-Toledo
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →2 players crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →
Toledo leads the all-time series 36–17. They've met 53 times since 1967. Toledo has won the last 4.
Stature & the series, 1967–2025
Both programs’ standing over time in their colors, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won.
all-time
36–17
Toledo leads
streak
4
Toledo in a row
longest run
11
Toledo
biggest win
49
Toledo, 2007
first met
1967
53 meetings
biggest crowd
23,417
2023
The coaching duels
Tom Amstutz vs Joe Novak6–1
Jason Candle vs Thomas Hammock4–2
Dan Simrell vs Jerry Pettibone2–3
Jack Murphy vs Jerry Ippoliti3–1
Gary Pinkel vs Joe Novak4–0
Jason Candle vs Rod Carey2–2
The draft ledger
Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.
draft picks
32–25
Toledo leads
1st-rounders
2–2
since
1967
first CFBD-carried draft class
1960s3–1
1970s5–5
1980s2–4
1990s3–1
2000s6–7
2010s6–7
2020s7–0
Best picks, either side
1993Dan Williams Defensive EndRd 1, pick 11#11 overall
2009Larry English Defensive EndRd 1, pick 16#16 overall
2014Jimmie Ward SafetyRd 1, pick 30#30 overall
1969John Spilis Wide ReceiverRd 3, pick 12#64 overall
Recent meetings
2025Toledo42–3
2024Toledo13–6
2023Toledo35–33
2022Toledo52–32
2021Northern Illinois22–20
2020Toledo41–24
2019Northern Illinois31–28
2018Northern Illinois38–15
2017Toledo27–17
2016Toledo31–24
2015Northern Illinois32–27
2014Northern Illinois27–24
2013Northern Illinois35–17
2012Northern Illinois31–24