Mount Pleasant, MI ? Kelly/Shorts Stadium
Toledo dropped its MAC opener for only the fourth time in the last 20 seasons, including the last two years. The last time UT suffered back-to-back, season-opening conference setbacks occurred in 1985-86.
The Rockets have now lost three-straight contests against Central Michigan for the first time since the 1992-94 seasons. Prior to this skid vs. the Chippewas, UT had won 10-in-a-row in the series.
Sophomore WR Stephen Williams caught a career-high six passes for 157 yards, including a career long 47-yard TD catch in the second quarter. The 157 receiving yards are the 11th-most in school history and the most since Kenny Higgins had a school-record 233 against Ball State on Oct. 2, 2004.
Sophomore QB Aaron Opelt played the entire contest and finished 25-of-41 for a career high 334 yards and two TDs. In two career games against CMU, Opelt is 56-of-93 for 622 yards and five TDs.
Senior TE Chris Hopkins hauled in a two-yard TD pass in a third quarter to move into a four-way tie for eighth all-time in school history with 12 career TD receptions. Hopkins finished the contest with six catches for 39 yards.
Senior P Brett Kern punted the ball four times for a 51.8 average. In two games this season, Kern is averaging 50.1 yards per kick.
Senior LB Greg Hay led the defense with a career high 12 tackles. Hay's previous-best total was 10 stops vs. Kansas on Sept. 15, 2006.
Sophomore safety Lester Richmond also had a personal best with 11 tackles. Richmond's previous-high mark was five stops vs. Central Michigan on Oct. 7, 2006.
Senior DE Sean Williamson did not make the trip to snap a string of 28-straight starts, dating back to the 2004 season.
Sophomore Skylaar Constant drew the start in place of Williamson. It was Constant's fourth career start.
Redshirt freshman FS Joe Shuler and true freshman CB Myshan Pettis also drew starts tonight for the first time in their collegiate careers, in place of injured senior Tyrrell Herbert and sophomore Walter Atkins, respectively.
Senior OL David Perkins returned to the starting lineup in place of injured redshirt freshman Jan Gewont. Perkins started the first nine games last season before suffering a season-ending injury. The Saginaw, MI native has now started 33 games in his three-plus year career.
Junior WR Nick Moore finished with four catches for 28 yards and one TD reception, the most since he had 8 grabs against CMU last season. It was Moore's first TD catch since the 2005 season. In three career contests against the Chippewas, Moore has 21 catches for 212 yards and two TDs. Moore was also credited with a 47-yard TD pass to Stephen Williams in the second quarter.
A pair of true freshmen, Terrell Willis and Darion McGuire, saw their first collegiate action on special teams.
Through the first two contests, a total of 35 freshmen and sophomores have seen action.
Sophomore PK Alex Steigerwald converted a 26-yard field goal in the third quarter and is now 9-of-10 in career FG attempts.
Senior RB Jalen Parmele carried the ball 22 times for 66 yards. The Midland, MI native has now totaled at-least 20 rushes in the last six contests, dating back to last season.
