Oct. 28, 2006

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Toledo, OH - Akron vs. Toledo Oct. 28, 2006 Toledo, OH - Glass Bowl

Toledo snapped a four-game losing skid and won its first MAC contest of the season. The Rockets have won six straight against the Zips and eight of the last nine games, but the most recent victory before tonight was at Akron in 1998.

The Rockets improved to 22-3 (.880) all-time at the Glass Bowl under sixth-year Head Coach Tom Amstutz, including 3-1 (.750) this season.

Freshman QB Aaron Opelt made his fourth-consecutive start and finished 8-of-16 passing for 97 yards. Opelt began the game completing his first seven passes, including a career-best 41-yarder to John Allen. He also had a one-yard touchdown run, his first rushing TD on the season.

Senior WR Steve Odom finished with two catches for 10 yards, and has now caught a pass in 46 straight games, every game of his career and the longest streak in the nation. He needs just 12 receptions to pass UT's all-time leader, Lance Moore (222 from 2001-04), and become Toledo's all-time leading receiver.

Junior RB Jalen Parmele established career bests in carries (27) and yards (145) and scored his team-high sixth touchdown run of the season with a two-yard scamper in the fourth stanza. It was his second career 100-plus yard effort. His previous highs were 18 carries at Iowa State (Aug. 31, 2006) and 111 yards at Western Michigan (Sept. 9, 2006).

Junior LB Greg Hay led the Rockets' defense with seven tackles, including two sacks. Hay also finished with a team-high three tackles for loss.

The Toledo defense was credited with a season-high nine tackles for loss, including six sacks.

The Toledo offense was a perfect 4-of-4 in red-zone scoring chances.

Redshirt freshman Walter Atkins made his first collegiate start at cornerback in place of Bo Martin.

Freshman SS Barry Church intercepted his team-best third pass of the season on Akron's opening drive of the contest at the two-yard line.

Toledo took the opening drive and went 98 yards en route to a one-yard touchdown run by Aaron Opelt. It is the third time this season the Rockets have scored points on their opening drive. They also converted a field goal vs. McNeese State (Sept. 23) and had a touchdown pass vs. Central Michigan (Oct. 7).

Junior FS Tyrrell Herbert picked a tipped pass and returned it 36 yards for his first collegiate touchdown in the first quarter. The interception return for a score was the second touchdown by the Rockets' defense this season. Barry Church also returned an interception 84 yards for a touchdown vs. Kansas (Sept. 15).

Junior CB Nigel Morris blocked his first career punt in the opening stanza. It was the second blocked kick by the Rockets' defense this season. Nick Lawrence blocked an extra point at Kent State (Oct. 14).

Redshirt freshman RB DaJuane Collins scored his third touchdown of the season in the second quarter on a one-yard run.

On a gadget play in the fourth quarter, sophomore WR Nick Moore completed his collegiate pass to senior TE Chris Hopkins for 42 yards.

Junior P Brett Kern booted six punts for an average of 42.7 yards per kick, including three inside the 20-yard line. The six punts are the second most this season. He had a career-best 12 punts against Kansas (Sept. 15).

Freshman PK Alex Steigerwald rumbled 19 yards for a touchdown on a fake field-goal attempt in the fourth quarter.