 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Brian Nowicki The Toledo Rockets were without starting quarterback Clint Cochran last night due to an undisclosed injury. However, redshirt freshman Brandon Summers and true freshman Aaron Opelt guided the Rockets to 41 points as the Rockets got back to basics and did what they do best..........run the football.  As a team, the Rockets averaged 5.0 yards per carry as they rushed for 219 and had four rushing touchdowns. Redshirt freshman running back DaJuane Collins led the way with 8 carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns. His first touchdown run of 31 yards was one for the highlights reel as he broke away from three defenders at about the 20 yard line and then broke another tackle near the 10 yard line and dashed into the end zone for his first career touchdown. Later, Collins ran it in from 9 yards out in another athletic run that made a guy miss at the 5 yard line.Another bright spot in the running game was junior running back Scooter McDougle. McDougle was cleared to play by the NCAA last week and this was his first game of the season. McDougle entered the game in the 3rd quarter to a warm greeting by the crowd. It was 3rd and 1 at their own 32 yard line for Toledo. McDougle got the call and knocked over a couple of McNeese State defenders on his way to a 21 yard gain in his first carry of the year. McDougle finished with 3 carries for 36 yards and a couple of standing ovations from the Rocket crowd. Redshirt freshman Brandon Summers made his first career start at quarterback for the Rockets. He was 11 of 17 for 121 yards with one rushing touchdown, one passing touchdown, and zero interceptions. He was sacked three times on what all appeared to be blown assignments by the offensive line.  With 1:49 to play in the first quarter, true freshman quarterback Aaron Opelt stepped on the field as a Toledo Rocket for the first time. His first career pass was completed to Andrew Hawkins for 24 yards and Opelt never looked back. Dazzling the crowd with his athleticism and ability to esacpe a for sure sack, Opelt took the Rockets down for a touchdown and field goal just before half. The last drive of the half was the impressive one. Toledo got the ball at their own 39 yard line with 47 seconds left in the half. On 3rd and 10, Opelt couldn't find a receiver open and tucked it in for a 22 yard run and a first down at the McNeese State 39 yard line. Toledo had to use their last timeout of the half to stop the clock with 22 seconds left. Two plays later Opelt rushed for another 16 yards when nobody was open, taking the ball to the 8 yard line with 8 seconds left. Opelt then stopped the clock by throwing the ball into the ground with 6 seconds left, enabling the Rockets to kick a 25 yard field goal to take a 20-7 lead into halftime.In the 3rd quarter Brandon Summers came back in at quarterback for the Rockets. He struggled at times, but on 3rd and 35 he completed a 40 yard touchdown pass to Andrew Hawkins to give the Rockets a 27-7 lead. Opelt came back in for the 4th quarter and the Rockets moved the football again, as DaJuane Collins and Scooter McDougle took over the game on the ground. Opelt finished the game with 6 carries for 41 yards and was 6 of 12 passing for 65 yards. His passing stats were not great, but he had a couple of dropped balls and he displayed a very strong arm. The Rocket defense turned in another good performance. They created three turnovers, including an acrobatic interception by junior cornerback Nigel Morris. McNeese State had 271 yards of total offense compared to 405 yards for the Rockets. Next week Toledo travels to Pittsburgh to take the the Pitt Panthers of the Big East conference. The last time the Rockets played Pitt was in 2003 when Toledo earned a 35-31 victory over the 9th ranked Panthers in the Glass Bowl. Kickoff is set for Noon Eastern and the game will be televised on ESPNU. Photo Gallery Have a question or comment for Brian? Email |