Football Falls on the Road to No. 22/25 Toledo

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TOLEDO, Ohio --- Despite taking an early lead, the Eastern Michigan University football team could not keep up with the high-powered offense of the University of Toledo Saturday, Oct. 17. Keyed by a 28-point second quarter, the No. 22/25 ranked Rockets claimed a 63-20 decision in EMU's first Mid-American Conference road game of the season at the Glass Bowl.

The game marked the return of redshirt sophomore quarterback Reginald Bell (Los Angeles, Calif.-Susan Miller Dorsey), who made his first start since the opener. He had missed the previous five games with an injury. He led the team offensively in his return, going 16-of-26 passing for 121 yards, while adding 28 yards on the ground.

The rushing attack was paced by the running back duo of senior Darius Jackson (Sparta, Ill.-Sparta) and redshirt freshman Shaq Vann (South Bend, Ind.-John Adams). Jackson rushed for 113 yards, his fourth 100+ yard effort of the season. He also scored a pair of touchdowns, his 10th and 11th of the season. Vann meanwhile ran for 97 yards himself

EMU finished with 282 total yards on the ground, out rushing the Rockets by 44 yards. Toledo came into the game only allowing 89 rushing yards per game.

A pair of tight ends led the Eagles' passing attack, with juniors Sam Browning (Escondido, Calif.- Escondido-Palomar C.C) going for 41 yards on two catches, and Cody Tuttle (Newbury Park, Calif.- Westlake Moorpark) catching eight passes for 60 yards.

"I thought we came out playing really, really hard," said EMU Head Coach Chris Creighton. "We weren't able to convert in the red zone and kicked field goals instead of scoring touchdowns. We had two great drives, but ended up with six points. They drove and scored and went up 7-6 just like that. I don't think he's [Phillip Ely] been sacked all year, and we didn't get to him today. They were able to make big plays throwing the ball."

Toledo's offense racked up a season-high 611 yards, 373 in the air and 238 on the ground. Sophomore Cody Thompson (88 yards), junior Corey Jones (55 yards) and freshman Diontae Johnson (22 yards) all caught long TD passes from Phillip Ely in the third quarter. Junior Zach Yousey also caught a TD in the third quarter, a 14-yarder from sophomore QB Michael Julian. Junior tight end Michael Roberts caught a nine-yard TD in the second-quarter.

The Eagles took the opening kickoff and, led by Bell, began to drive down the field. The drive was aided by a key third-down converting run from the redshirt sophomore quarterback, as well as a 30-yard pass to Browning.

The drive stalled in UT territory, but Dylan Mulder (Saline, Mich.-Saline) booted a 51-yard field goal to take the early 3-0 lead. It was the second field goal of 50+ yards by Mulder this season, and just the third time in EMU history that a kicker has two or more field goals of 50+ yards.

After forcing a Toledo punt on their first drive, EMU went on another long drive, with a majority of the yards coming on a 41-yard scamper from Vann. The drive stalled once again, this time in the UT redzone. Mulder would convert the kick and EMU took the 6-0 lead.

EMU controlled the entire first quarter, outgaining the Rockets, 128-26, and controlling the time of possession, 9:59-3:32. However, Toledo would control the second quarter on the scoreboard. The Rockets opened the second half by taking their first lead of the game on a nine-yard rushing touchdown.

Later in the quarter, after a short punt by UT, EMU was set-up with good field position at the Rocket's 40-yard line. Toledo's defense would hold strong though, as they would intercept a Bell pass to squander any scoring opportunity for the Eagles.

UT would turn that miscue into points, as nine plays later, Toledo scored on a nine-yard passing touchdown to extend the lead to 14-6.

The lead would go to 21-6 with just under three minutes to play when, after a 90-yard run into the EMU redzone, a four-yard touchdown scamper gave the Rockets the 15-point lead.

The Rockets were not done yet in the quarter. On a 54-yard EMU field goal attempt, the try was blocked and returned for a touchdown by Toledo. That play would give UT the 28-6 lead going into halftime.

Despite the score, EMU were only outgained by 12 yards (246-234) in the first half, out rushing the Rockets 144-126 and recording one more first down (12-11). EMU also controlled the T.O.P with 18:04 to UT's 11:56.

The Rockets did not let up on the gas to begin the second half. UT would score on four consecutive drives to put the game at 56-6 before the start of the fourth quarter.

Opening the fourth quarter, Jackson would score a 20-yard rushing touchdown to cut the score to 56-13. UT would respond with a touchdown of their own to put lead back at 50 points. Jackson would score again late in the quarter to wrap up the scoring and decide the final margin.

The Eagles will remain on the road next week as they head to DeKalb, Ill. to face off against the Huskies of Northern Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT. on ESPN3.

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Team Stats

Reginald Bell

Brogan Roback

Players Mentioned

Reginald Bell

Sam Browning

Darius Jackson

Dylan Mulder

Cody Tuttle

Shaq Vann

Players Mentioned

Reginald Bell

Sam Browning

Darius Jackson

Dylan Mulder

Cody Tuttle

Shaq Vann

Eastern Michigan Athletics