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By Karl Rofkar The University of Toledo Rockets opened the 2007 season with a sprinkling of fireworks, a full house, great weather, and a preseason’s worth of expectations. For about 17 minutes last night, it also looked like the Rockets could hang with the Big 10’s best offense of 2006. Then the speed and experience of the Boilermakers, coupled with some eerily reminiscent Rocket mistakes, took over and the Boilermakers were on their way to a 52-24 win, a rare accomplishment in the Glass Bowl the last few years. The University of Toledo Rockets opened the 2007 season with a sprinkling of fireworks, a full house, great weather, and a preseason’s worth of expectations. For about 17 minutes last night, it also looked like the Rockets could hang with the Big 10’s best offense of 2006. Then the speed and experience of the Boilermakers, coupled with some eerily reminiscent Rocket mistakes, took over and the Boilermakers were on their way to a 52-24 win, a rare accomplishment in the Glass Bowl the last few years. Purdue won the toss, and taking advantage of the new kickoff rule, elected to receive. Toledo’s defense rose to the challenge and forced a punt after 6 plays produced just 26 yards. The teams traded 3-and-outs, including a beautiful spinning catch by Stephen Williams on 3rd down that came up just short of a 1st, before Toledo took over on its own 40, moving to the Purdue 35 with a good mix of pass and run. On 2nd down, DaJuane Collins took a pitchout right from Opelt and saw it hit the turf, only to bounce right back to his hands. Collins took it to the house on a nice show of speed. Purdue answered with a 7 play drive of their own to even the score, and it looked like quite a ball game was in store. Purdue’s first score came on the strength of its running game, going to the air only once, with Rocket Walter Atkins hurrying Purdue’s Dustin Keller. Purdue scored on a 13 yard run by Kory Sheets with 5:11 left in the quarter. Following a Toledo punt, Purdue went to work on their own 20 and took all of one play to cover the 80 yards to paydirt when Dustin Keller beat the coverage and sprinted the right side. It looked like Walter Atkins had a line on Keller to cut him off, but Keller just plain burned past him to the endzone. It looked like Big Mo had taken a seat on the Purdue bench and Toledo was on the short end of a 14-7 score, but Keller was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play, forcing Purdue to kick from its own 15 yard line. Toledo tried to take advantage of great field position, starting at the Purdue 43, but in spite of mixing in pass and run pretty well, dropped balls and penalties got them only to the 38 before Opelt was picked off by Justin Scott and returned to the Toledo 37, where Opelt met him out of bounds, drawing a personal foul for a late hit. Fans watching the replay disagreed, but the 15 yard penalty put Purdue in business at the Toledo 22. One play later it was 1st and goal at the Toledo 7 and looking grim, but Walter Atkins picked up a fumble by Purdue’s Halliburton and returned it to the Toledo 35. Unable to capitalize, the Rockets punted again, with Kern locking the Boilers down at their own 8 yd line. On the next play, Keith Forestal forced a fumble that was recovered by Lester Richmond on the Purdue 15. Four running plays were capped by a 4 yard touchdown by Jalen Parmele. Tied at 14, it still looked possible for a good hard fought game, but chinks were showing in the Rockets’ armor. Toledo had slowed Purdue’s heralded passing attack, only to see the visitors chew up big gains on the ground. Forced to pay more attention to the run, the Toledo saw Purdue go back to the air, scoring on a 28 yard pass to Kyle Adams at the 7:46 mark. The Boilers were off and running from that point and the Rockets were reeling. Purdue tacked on another 5 yard TD through the air before halftime, going to the locker room up 28-14. At the half, the teams were nearly equal in plays run, but Purdue was productive with theirs, holding a 365-173 advantage in total offense and averaging about 9 yards per play. The big play offense was indeed beginning to roll. Neither team did well in 3rd down conversions, with Purdue 3 of 7 and Toledo 1 of 8, and Toledo was 0 for 2 in 4th down conversions. Toledo received the kick to open the 2nd half and went to work at their own 15, marching smartly to the Purdue 29 for a 1st and 10. The drive stalled with an overthrown fade to Nick Moore in the corner of the endzone on 3rd down, and a loss of 4 on 4th and 1 at the 20. The teams traded punts, and Toledo followed with another defensive stop, forcing a Boilermaker punt from back on their own 20. Nick Moore called for a fair catch at his own 35 and it looked like the Rockets were in business. Only then did anyone notice the yellow laundry on the field, and Toledo was called for roughing the kicker, giving Purdue the ball back with a 1st down at their own 35. Then, on 3rd and 6, Barry Church was flagged for personal foul following a 12 yard catch by Selwyn Lymon, putting the ball; at the Toledo 34. On the next play, the first of the 4th quarter, that mistake proved devastating as Painter hooked up with Greg Orton for a touchdown. Toledo answered with a career-best 44 yard field goal by Alex Steigerwald with 10:16 left, but the Rockets were just about out of time, trailing 38-17. The ensuing kickoff had something we haven’t seen in the Glass Bowl in quite some time…Dorien Bryant caught the ball at his own 9 and caught a crease in the left side. Bursting through the hole, he got past the only nearby defender to put a hand on him, and it was off to the races. Bryant had all the horses, going the 91 yards nearly untouched, and the nails were going in the coffin. Toledo went 3 and out, only to see Purdue running back Dan Dierking score from 30 yards out to give Purdue their final score on the night at the 8:57 mark. Following another Toledo punt, Purdue gave up the ball on an interception by DreyLon Pree at the Boilers’ 24. DeAndre Ware, seeing his first action, then scored from 1 yard out to close out the scoring. The Rockets, 0-1 (0-0) travel to Central Michigan, 0-1 (0-0) for a MAC West tilt next Saturday. Have a question or comment for Karl? Email |