ROCKETS ROLL OVER EMU

November 4, 2007 - Toledo continued its offensive juggernaut of scoring forty or more points for the third straight game in winning 52-28 over Eastern Michigan last night in the Glass Bowl. The Rockets amassed 600 yards as they overwhelmed the Eagles and evened their season record at 5-5.

UT came out hot again as they scored the first fourteen points-both Jalen Parmele touchdowns-and cruised to a 28-7 half-time lead. Quarterback Aaron Opelt completed 11 of 14 passes for 200 yards at the half.

Eastern started to put points on the board in the second half, but the Rockets continued to answer every score with one of their own. In the end, UT scored 52 points on a team that gave up only 33 points to Michigan, 26 to Northwestern and shut out Western Michigan's offense in their previous game.

"I thought the offense was again run sharp by Aaron and he did a good job mixing up the pass and run," Tom Amstutz said. "The offensive line did a solid job. On defense I thought we had our moments and some decent play in the first half. We just need to keep working hard on defense and improving."

The UT passing game has been helped considerably by the development of receivers Nick Moore and Stephen Williams. Both players are now playing at their highest levels and can be counted on to make the big play when called on. Moore had ten catches against EMU, and Williams garnered 150 yards on only six catches. Toledo's yards per catch numbers have substantially increased in recent games.

With the offensive line, running backs, receivers and quarterbacks now in an offensive groove, Toledo will likely be able to score plenty of points on its next two opponents on the way to a possible seven-win season. The play of the defense will probably determine the team's success as the Rockets face a tough Ball State offense and the travel to Bowling Green to finish the season.