 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Karl Rofkar Last night at Central Michigan, UT quarterback Aaron Opelt looked like he was ready to celebrate his coming out. The sophomore threw for 334 on 25 of 42 passing with 2 TDs and, just as important, no INTs. He also rushed for a TD…a very hard fought 3 yards that put the Rockets ahead for the only lead of the game. Couple his performance with that of Stephen Williams (6 catches for 157 yds and 1 td), and the Rockets had a potent offense for much of the game. It just wasn’t enough as the Rockets (0-2, 0-1) fell 52-31 to the Chippewas (1-1, 1-0). Toledo traveled to Mount Pleasant needing a win in their first conference game of the year against the defending MAC champs to keep their destiny for the title in their own hands. For three quarters, they traded punches with CMU and trailed by only 3 going into the 4th, when CMU delivered the knock-out, scoring on 3 straight possessions while snuffing out the Rockets. While neither team seemed able to stop the other early on, each did a good job of moving the football and putting up points. The early difference in the game was field position: the Chips had it and the Rockets didn’t. Toledo spent the entire first half digging out from deep in their own territory, their best starting field position being their own 30, with 3 drives starting inside the 10. Meanwhile, CMU was living on the Rocket side of the 50 yard line, and the yardage for the half and time of possession represented that well, with Toledo holding a 5 minute edge for the half, and 4 minutes for the game. Central started the scoring off with a field goal on its first possession of the game. On the ensuing kickoff, Stephen Williams actually lost 4 yards on the return and the Rockets had to start from their own 9 yard line. The teams traded 3-and-outs before Toledo took over on their own 28 and drove to the CMU 4, where Opelt connected with Nick Moore for the Rockets’ first TD of the night. The Chips answered with a TD of their own on a Dan LaFevre QB keeper from 2 yards out and it looked like the teams were heading for a shootout. Toledo came back with a 70 yard drive that was capped by a hard-fought 3 yard run by Aaron Opelt to put the Rockets ahead again…and for the last time…at 14-10, ending the first quarter. Toledo’s final score of the half came on a Nick Moore-to-Stephen Williams pass on 1st down from the CMU 47. Moore came around to take a pitch from Opelt, then lobbed the ball to an uncovered Williams for the score. CMU took a 24-21 lead into the locker room. The question radio color commentator Chuck Ealey kept asking was whether anyone was going to be able to stop the other team, and for the first half, it didn’t look that way. CMU did seem to have less trouble sniffing out UTs bread and butter plays, and there was a sense of foreboding at the end of the half. UT came out of the break to receive the kickoff, starting at their own 20 on a 16 yard return by DaJuane Collins. Mixing run and pass very effectively, the Rockets moved to a 1st and 10 at the CMU 11. Three plays later the Rockets had to settle for a 26 yd. Alex Steigerwald field goal, tying the game at 24 and chewing up 6:18 of the 3rd quarter clock. It looked like the Rockets came out ready to take charge, holding the Chips 3 and out and forcing a punt. Nick Moore settled under the ball at his own 36 and the Rockets looked to be in good field position to start a drive for a change. But the normally sure-handed Moore saw the ball get away from him and Central recovered on the Rocket 34. Five plays later, CMU cashed in with a 6 yard pass from LaFevre to freshman Antonio Brown. Toledo answered with a 75 yard drive to knot the score yet again, culminated by a 2 yard pass to Chris Hopkins, but it would be their final points of the night. CMU score on its next 3 possession, aiding by what else? Field position. CMU benefited from a return 17 yards to their own 25, followed by a 58-yd Brett Kern punt that was returned 42 yards to the Toledo 43, and it was all but done. The last two Rocket possessions ended on failed 4th down plays. UTs next game is Saturday in Lawrence, Kansas where they’ll return the visit to the Jayhawks. Photo Gallery Have a question or comment for Karl? Email |