Oct. 7, 2000

Box Score| Quotes

YPSILANTI, Mich. - Senior tailback Chester Taylor ran for 124 yards and three touchdowns in the first half as Toledo rolled to an easy 42-14 victory over Eastern Michigan at Ypsilanti on Saturday.

The Rockets led 35-7 at halftime thanks to a powerful running attack and a stifling defense. Taylor opened the scoring with a 39-yard run on Toledo's first possession, then followd that up with a pair of one-yard TD runs to make the score 21-7 early in the second quarter. Toledo's other two first-half scores came on a blocked punt by Fabian Burke that was recovered in the end zone by Paul Dye, and a four-yard touchdown pass from Tavares Bolden to Donta` Greene.

Eastern was held to just 70 yards of total offense in the first half. The Eagles' only first-half score was set up by a 79-yard punt return by Ashantti Watson to the Toledo seven-yard line.

Toledo dominated the action from beginning to end. The Rockets had 26 first downs to nine for the Eagles, a 404-172 margin in net offensive yards and a 39:53-20:07 advantage in possession time. The Rockets also converted 13 of 20 third-down opportunities.

Taylor had his fifth 100-yard performance of the season and 13th of his career. He now has 797 yards on the season and 10 rushing touchdowns. His three TDs tied his career best, set against Western Michigan last season.

Taylor gained all his yards in the first, and then sat out the final 30 minutes, setting the stage for backup tailback Antwon McCray. McCray, a junior, gained 106 yards, mostly in the second half. It was his third 100-yard game of his career, and first in 2000.

The Rockets are now 5-1, 2-1 in MAC West Division play. They next host Marshall, which has defeated UT in three straight season, twice in the MAC championship game. EMU fell to 1-5, 0-2 in the MAC West.