Sept. 1, 2005

Final Stats |  Quotes |  Notes

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Bruce Gradkowski threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score Thursday night to help Toledo rout Western Illinois 62-14 in the season opener for both teams.

Gradkowski, a senior who only played in the first half, completed 9 of 17 passes for 134 yards to help the Rockets build a 41-0 lead.

The Division I-AA Leathernecks committed six turnovers and didn't score until late in the fourth quarter.

Toledo, known for its high-scoring offense, was led by a swarming defense. Under the direction of new defensive coordinator Tim Rose, the Rocket defense scored twice, set up a field goal and generally gave the Leatherneck offense fits.

Senior cornerback set the tone on the game's sixth play, picking off a Steve LaFalce pass and taking it 60 yards for the score. Sophomore cornerback Nigel Morris made it 27-0 on a fumble recovery and 37-yard return.

Richard Davis had 13 carries for 111 yards for Toledo, which finished with 401 yards of offense.

Will Ducey tossed a 52-yard touchdown pass to Paul Anderson for Western Illinois' first score with 6:11 remaining. He added a 17-yard scoring pass to Carl Sims with 1:04 left.

The Leathernecks' offense struggled most of the game against the Rockets, who return eight starters on defense from last season's Mid-American Conference championship team.

Gradkowski, who last year became the first player in Division I history to complete 70 percent of his passes in two seasons, got going in the second quarter.

He found Jon Allen for a 4-yard scoring play with 14:54 left to make it 20-0. After Nigel Morris returned a fumble for a score, Gradkowski tossed a 32-yard touchdown to Andrew Hawkins and ran four yards for another score right before halftime.

Richard Davis returned the second-half kickoff 94 yards for a TD and added a 9-yard scoring run for the Rockets.