 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Brian Nowicki 
The University of Toledo Rockets are the 2005 GMAC Bowl Champions after a 45-13 victory over the UTEP Miners. Toledo (9-3) had lost their last two bowl games, losing to Boston College in the 2002 Motor City Bowl and to UCONN in the 2004 Motor City Bowl. The Rockets would not be denied this time though as senior QB Bruce Gradkowski threw for 298 yards and 5 touchdowns and senior running back Trinity Dawson rushed for 124 yards, while the Rockets put up 470 yards in total offense. The Rocket defense stood tall as well, giving up just 1 total yard to UTEP in the 3rd quarter. UTEP had just 255 yards in total offense for the game.Toledo got the scoring started on a 10 yard touchdown reception by freshman tight end Jon Allen with 9:49 left in the 1st quarter. Earlier in the drive, Toledo lined up to punt on 4th and 2 at their own 40 yard line. However, they changed formation and put running back Richard Davis back and he took the snap and converted the first down to keep the drive alive. UTEP came back on their next drive and made a 34 yard field goal to cut the Toledo lead to 7-3 with 1:52 left in the 1st quarter. Then in the 2nd quarter Bruce Gradkowski hit freshman receiver Nick Moore on a 37 yard pass play to the UTEP 38 yard line. That setup a 33 yard touchdown pass on 4th down to sophomore receiver David Washington to give the Rockets a 14-3 lead with 10:41 left in the half. 36 seconds later, linebacker David Thomas intercepted a Jordan Palmer pass and returned it 40 yards for another Rocket touchdown to make it 21-3 with 10:05 left in the 2nd quarter. UTEP knew it was due or die time and they converted on two 4th down plays on the next drive and scored a touchdown to cut the lead to 21-10 with 6:03 left in the 2nd quarter. The momentum started to swing in UTEP's favor as Bruce Gradkowski threw an interception on the next drive and UTEP converted on a 23 yard field goal with 2:55 left in the 2nd quarter to cut the Rockets lead to 21-13. That was as close as UTEP would get though as the Rockets went right down the field and scored on a 32 yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Steve Odom to make the score 28-13 with 1:15 left in the half. UTEP moved the football down field, but the half ended with linebacker Mike Alston's 3rd sack of the game. UT quarterback Bruce Gradkowski was 8 of 12 for 165 yards and 3 touchdowns in the first half. Steve Odom took the 3rd quarter kickoff 51 yards to the UTEP 45 yard line. The Rockets got it to the UTEP 12 yard line, but Bruce Gradkowski overthrew a wide open Jon Allen on what would have been a sure touchdown. The Rockets settled for a 29 yard field goal by senior Jason Robbins to take a 31-13 lead with 11:45 left in the 3rd quarter. After a UTEP punt, Toledo moved the ball down the field again. However, Bruce Gradkowski threw an interception in the end zone to end the drive. UTEP had to punt the ball again, and Toledo took a 31-13 lead into the 4th quarter. UTEP had just 1 total yard on offense in the 3rd quarter. Junior tight end Josh Powell caught a 22 yard touchdown from Bruce Gradkowski to give the Rockets a 38-13 lead with 13:39 left in the 4th quarter. Once again UTEP had to punt the ball and the Rockets moved the football down the field on the Miners defense. This time a 13 yard touchdown reception by junior tight end Chris Hopkins made the score 45-13 with 7:26 left in the 4th quarter. Sophomore free safety Tyrrell Herbert intercepted a pass with 34 seconds left and freshman quarterback Clint Cochran took a knee to run out the clock and give the Rockets the 45-13 victory. The GMAC Bowl was the 10th bowl game Toledo has played in, and the 4th bowl game in the last five years. With the win, the Rockets have an 8-2 record in those bowl games. Have a question or comment for Brian? Email |