University of Toledo
EASTERN ILLINOIS
Football: Rockets Win Third Straight, Drop Eastern Illinois, 31-26
9/16/2000 12:00:00 PM | Football
Sept. 16, 2000
Toledo, OH - Toledo's defense scored on an interception and a safety, while junior placekicker Todd France kicked a career-high five field goals as the Rockets held off a late charge to defeat Eastern Illinois, 31-26.
On its final possession of the game, Eastern got as far at the UT seven-yard line before time ran out. EIU quarterback Tony Romo hit wide receiver Shaun Grace with two seconds left but Grace was tackled by Toledo free safety Andy Boyd to secure the win for the Rockets.
Toledo (3-0) started the game with a 33-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior linebacker Kevin Rollins on the third play of the game. But the Rockets could only muster a single field goal the rest of the first half as EIU (2-1) took a 17-10 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Toledo scored 21 unanswered points in the second half, culminating with France's fouth field goal early in the fourth quarter to take a commanding 28-17 lead. The two teams traded field goals before EIU scored on a 27-yard touchdown pass from Romo to Devon O'Neal to make the score, 31-26, with 2:45 left.
The Rockets then recovered an onside kick but could not make a first down and were forced to punt. With just 1:17 left, EIU began its final drive from its own 20-yard line. The Panthers then drove to the Rocket 32 yard-line with just seven seconds left. EIU had an incomplete pass before Romo then hit Grace on the game's final play. Grace caught the ball on the 10-yard line and cut to the middle of the field but was hauled down by Boyd.
Romo threw for 414 yards on 25-of-46 with two interceptions. Toledo was led by senior tailback Chester Taylor, who had 156 yards rushing and caught four passes, one for a touchdown.
Toledo opens the MAC season next Saturday with a showdown with defending West Division champion Western Michigan at Kalamazoo.
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