 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Brian Nowicki Toledo retained the Peace Pipe trophy for the third consecutive season with a 31-21 victory over arch-rival Bowling Green. The win is UT Head Coach Tom Amstutz' 50th career victory (50-25 record) and improves his record to 4-2 against Bowling Green. Toledo has won 9 of the last 12 games against Bowling Green. Junior running back Jalen Parmele rushed for 124 yards and one touchdown on just 20 attempts, averaging 6.2 yards per rush. It was his 5th game this season with over 100 yards rushing, and the 4th straight game over 100 yards. Freshman quarterback Aaron Opelt completed 4 of 6 passes for just 33 yards, but he rushed the ball 14 times for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Clint Cochran started the game and completed 5 of 6 passes for 63 yards before Opelt came into the game. Opelt one series in the 2nd quarter and then the entire 2nd half. Senior wide receiver Steve Odom caught one pass for 5 yards. The catch gave Odom at least one reception in every single game of his four year career at Toledo, 49 straight games which is the longest current streak in the nation. Odom has finished his career 2nd on UT's all-time receptions list with 216 career receptions, 2nd on UT's all-time reception yards list with 2,631 yards, and 3rd on UT's all-time touchdown receptions list with 19 TD's.  Freshman strong safety Barry Church intercepted his team leading 4th pass of the season and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown. "Barry Church is what an NFL player looks like as a freshman," said Head Coach Tom Amstutz. He added, "he makes big plays. He's a special football player. I'm really thankful he's here and that he has three more years at Toledo."It was Church's 2nd interception return for a touchdown this season, the first was an 84 yard interception return against Kansas. Church is now 3rd on the UT all-time list for interceptions returned for a touchdown in a career. He has two, while the career leader is Keon Jackson (2002-2005) with 4 interceptions returned for a touchdown in his career. Jackson ended his career last year after being the starting strong safety for Toledo for four years. Church replaced Jackson at the strong safety position for the Rockets this season. Junior free safety Tyrrell Herbert led the Rockets with 12 tackles. Junior linebacker Greg Hay contributed with 8 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss. Altogether, the Rocket defense held Bowling Green, the top rushing team in the MAC, to just 76 yards rushing on 31 attempts. Attendance was announced at 23,917 which was the largest crowd of the season at the Glass Bowl. Toledo finishes the season with a 5-7 record, but the Rockets won 3 of their last 4 games. Photo Gallery Have a question or comment for Brian? Email |