Football: Rockets Host Marshall for 2001 MAC Championship
11/25/2001 12:00:00 PM | Football
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Nov. 25, 2001
Toledo, OH - It's Toledo and Marshall once again in the MAC Championship Game. But this year, there are some differences.
Unlike 1997 and 1998, the last time these two schools faced each other for the MAC title, both schools already have a bowl game in hand. Toledo is going to the Motor City Bowl on Dec. 29, while Marshall is headed to the GMAC Mobile Alabama Bowl on Dec. 19.
And unlike those two games, this game will be played in the Glass Bowl instead of in Huntington. Marshall won the 1997 MAC Championship, 34-14, and took the 1998 title by a score of 23-17.
Toledo has won 13 straight games in the Glass Bowl, including a 42-0 victory over the Thundering Herd last year. The Rockets' last loss at home was a 34-17 decision to Louisiana Tech on Oct. 30, 1999.
Toledo (8-2, 4-1 MAC West) is coming off a 56-21 loss at Bowling Green on Friday. Toledo played without quarterback Tavares Bolden, who sat out the game to rest a sore back. Backup Brian Jones started out slow then recovered to throw for 180 yards and three touchdowns but it wasn't enough to make up for six Rocket turnovers.
Marshall (10-1, 6-0 MAC East) is ranked No. 18 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll and No. 20 in the AP poll. The Thundering Herd won its 10th straight game on Saturday, a 38-24 victory over I-AA Youngstown State in a game that wasn't decided until the waning moments.
