Rocket Football takes down WMU, keeping title hopes alive
TOLEDO, OH - The Glass Bowl was rocking Saturday as Toledo hosted the Western Michigan in crucial game to stay in contention for a MAC title game as the Rockets prevailed in a high-scoring classic, 45-38.
Toledo started off strong in the first quarter with two rushing touchdowns from quarterback John Alan Richter for 4 yards and running back Autavius Ison for 3 yards, giving the Rockets a 14-0 lead.
Western Michigan would finally strike in the second quarter with a 13-yard pass TD from quarterback Broc Lowry to wide receiver Aveion Chenault.
CJ Miller runs the ball and leaps over Western Michigan safety Joey Pope
The Rockets held a 31-14 lead going into half, but Western Michigan got its offense going with a 92-yard kickoff return from Joshua Franklin. The Broncos outscored Toledo in the third quarter, 21-7 making the score 38-35 heading into the fourth.
Western Michigan in the fourth looked to take their first lead of the game, first and goal from Toledo’s one yard line, but a holding penalty and three big defensive stops forced the Broncos to a 23-yard field goal from kicker Dieter Kelly, leveling the score at 38.
Toledo would punch one more touchdown late in the fourth with a 11-yard run from running back CJ Miller.
Western Michigan would look for one last shot to stay in the game on second and ten from their own 35-yard line, as Toledo cornerback Israel Petite picked off Lowry’s pass to seal the win.
John Alan Richter recorded 391 passing yards a threw for three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown for Toledo, followed by 183 rushing yards from CJ Miller, 124 receiving yards from Adjatay Dabbs, and on defensive end, safety Nicholas Thompson recorded 9 tackles.
Toledo improves to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in MAC play to move to second in the standings behind Ohio, putting the first conference loss on Western Michigan.
The 45-38 win also makes the Rockets bowl eligible for the 17th consecutive season, and gives first-year head coach Mike Jacobs his 100th career win in his collegiate coaching career.
Toledo will travel to Sacramento on November 4th to face the 1-7 Sacramento State Hornets who are coming off a 34-17 loss to Ball State.
