Nov 17, 2001

Final Stats| Quotes| Notes

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Chester Taylor ran for two touchdowns and passed for a third score in Toledo's 28-7 victory over Eastern Michigan on a foggy Saturday night.

The victory gave the Rockets a share of the Mid-American Conference West Division title and clinched the home berth in the conference title game Nov. 30 against East Division winner Marshall.

After the game, the Rockets accepted a bid to the Motor City Bowl on Dec. 29 in Pontiac. Mich., against an opponent from Conference USA.

Toledo (8-1, 5-1) will share the division championship with Northern Illinois and possibly Ball State, which can make it a three-way tie for the title by defeating Western Michigan next week. Toledo advanced to the championship game because of a better record against East Division opponents.

Taylor ran for touchdowns of 43 and 7 yards and passed 6 yards to Chris Holmes for a score after taking a pitch from quarterback Tavares Bolden. Donta Greene scored Toledo's other touchdown on a 78-yard punt return.

Ime Akpan's 1-yard run with less than 2 minutes to play kept the Eagles (2-8, 1-5) from being shut out.

The game was played in fog that was so dense at times that players couldn't see from one end of the field to the other and observers in the press box couldn't see the action on the field.

Taylor gained 106 yards in 26 carries, giving him 4,389 yards for his career and moving him into second place on the conference's career rushing list. It was his sixth 100-yard game of the season and the 23rd of his career.

Greene caught 11 passes for 135 yards, both career highs. Bolden was 22-for-28 for 230 yards.

Eagles quarterback Troy Edwards was 13-for-29 for 148 yards, including a 72-yard pass to Jamal Stevens, who finished with three catches for 91 yards.

Toledo held Eastern Michigan to 18 yards rushing and 166 yards overall. The Rockets had 425 total yards as they won their 13th straight home game.