Rockets Start Season 2-0 with Win Over UMass

The Toledo Rockets defeated the University of Massachusetts Minutemen 38-23 Sep. 7 in a hard-fought matchup in front of 21,668 fans at the Glass Bowl.

Junior quarterback Tucker Gleason connected with senior wide receiver Jerjuan Newton for a 40-yard touchdown, scoring the first points of the game. Newton’s receiving yards gives him a career total of 2,032 receiving yards, which makes him the 14th Rocket to pass 2,000 receiving yards in a career.

With 2:44 left in the half, a 98-yard kickoff return was made by senior running back Jacquez Stuart to give Toledo a narrow 17-13 lead at halftime.

Junior wide receiver Junior Vandeross III completed Gleason’s pass over the middle at Toledo’s 47-yard line and bolted to the end zone for a 73-yard touchdown to increase Toledo’s lead to 24-16.

The Rockets added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter, securing their victory over the Minutemen.

Toledo’s defense came through with a solid performance for the second week in a row, breaking up six passes and sacking UMass’ quarterback Taison Phommachanh five times. With 4:23 left in the third quarter, Phommachanh’s pass was intercepted by sophomore safety Braden Awls at the UT 27-yard line.