 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 have won the Battle of I-75 for the 2nd consecutive year as they outlasted Bowling Green 44-41 in 2 overtimes. Attendance for the game was 17,438. Toledo (8-3 overall, 6-2 MAC) was led by Trinity Dawson on the ground and Bruce Gradkowski through the air. Trinity Dawson had 28 carries for 172 yards and 2 TD's, while Gradkowski was 23 of 36 for 298 yards and 4 TD's.Tight end Chris Hopkins had 4 catches for 58 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a game winning 22 yard TD reception in the 2nd overtime. Steve Odom led all receivers with 20 receptions for 146 yards and one touchdown. Tight end Josh Powell had the other touchdown reception for Toledo, and a total of 4 receptions for 61 yards. Toledo had 482 yards of total offense, 298 yards through the air and 284 yards rushing. Bowling Green got the first score of the game on a controversial 4th down play on their opening drive. It appeared that they were stopped short of the goal line, but after a few seconds the officials ruled it a touchdown and the play was not reviewed. The team exchanged punts and turnovers until late in the first half when Bruce Gradkowski hit Steve Odom on a 29 yard touchdown reception to tie the game at 7. On the last play of the first half, Toledo blocked a 43 yard field goal attempt by Bowling Green. Toledo took the opening drive of the 3rd quarter down the field, but had to settle for a 44 yard field goal by Jason Robbins, his career long. Bowling then took the ball right down the field and a B.J. Lane 1 yard TD run gave the Falcons a 14-10 lead. Toledo striked back on a 23 yard TD run by Trinity Dawson and went back on top 17-14 before Bowling Green made a 27 yard field goal to tie the game at 17-17. Bruce Gradkowski then connected with Josh Powell on a 17 yard TD pass to round out the scoring in the third quarter to take a 24-17 lead. Then it looked like Bowling Green would take the game as they scored on touchdown passes of 21 amd 11 yards to take a 31-24 lead. Toledo would not give up though as they countered with a 14 play, 75 yard drive that took 6 minutes and 13 seconds. The drive was capped off by a 3 yard touchdown reception by Chris Hopkins to tie the game at 24 apiece with 1:43 to play in the 4th quarter. Bowling Green was then forced to punt and time ran out on regulation.  Bowling Green won the coin toss for overtime and UT's offense took the field first and scored on a Trinity Dawson 2 yard run to take a 38-31 lead. BG came right back as Omar Jacobs connected with Steve Sanders on a 25 yard TD reception to tie it at 38 and send the game to a 2nd overtime.Bowling Green got the ball first, and failed to score a touchdown. They connected on a 37 yard field goal to take a 41-38 lead. Toledo needed a field goal to send the game to a 3rd overtime, or a touchdown to win the game. Gradkowski found tight end Chris Hopkins on a 22 yard touchdown strike to end the game and give the Rockets a thrilling 44-41 victory in 2 overtimes over their arch-rival. After the game you could tell it was a tough loss to swallow for the Bowling Green players and coaches. In the post-game press conference Bowling Green head coach Greg Brandon was very complimentative of Toledo's performance and this one quote from Mr. Brandon said it all......."Gradkowski, he's a hell of a player." Toledo will now wait to see what happens today, as Western Michigan travels to Northern Illinois. Toledo has clinched a share of the West Division Title, but their hopes on making it to the MACC Game reside on the game today. If Western Michigan wins, Toledo will tie Western Michigan for the West Division Title and get the berth into the championship game because of their victory over the Broncos earlier in the year. If Northern Illinois wins, Toledo will tie Northern Illinois for the West Division Title. However, since Northern Illinois beat Toledo last week, the Huskies would get the berth into the MAC Championship Game. Have a question or comment for Brian? Email |