Sept. 18, 2004

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Ypsilanti, MI - Junior quarterback Bruce Gradkowski threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two more as Toledo defeated Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti, 42-32, on Saturday night.

It was the first victory of the season for the Rockets following defeats at Minnesota and Kansas. UT is now 1-0 in MAC play, 1-2 overall.

The Rockets broke open a close game with three touchdowns in the third quarter. Toledo held a 21-17 halftime lead, but score on its first possession of the second half, and eight-play drive that was capped by an eight-yard TD pass from Gradkowski to senior wide receiver Lance Moore.

On EMU's ensuing possession, Rocket senior whip Michael Broussard picked off a Matt Bohnet pass and returned it to the EMU 36. Toledo struck immediately, with Gradkowski hitting sophomore wide receiver Steve Odom for a 36-yard TD strike in the corner of the end zone. Gradkowski then ran in a one-yard keeper with 2:55 left in the third quarter to make the score 42-17.

Eastern kept it interesting by scoring a pair of fourth-quarter TDs, the last coming with 2:15 to play. But Toledo recovered the on-side kick to put the game out of reach.

Gradkowski finished 22-of-27 for 338 yards and no interceptions. Odom and Moore had seven and six catches, respectively. Moore's two TD catches give him 15 for his career and move him into fifth place on UT's all-time list. Junior Quinton Broussard added a career-high 81 yards rushing and one TD.

The EMU game was Toledo's third consecutive road game to start the season. The Rockets open the home portion of their schedule next Saturday vs. Temple.