Post-Game Notes

Toledo at Michigan

Oct. 11, 2008

Ann Arbor, MI (Michigan Stadium)

With today's three-point victory, Toledo became the first school in Mid-American Conference history to defeat Michigan (24-1 record vs. MAC). The Rockets also improved to 5-12 all-time against Big Ten opponents and claimed their first win over a Big Ten school since 2001, when they defeated Minnesota at home, 38-7.

Toledo played in front of a school-record 107,267 fans today at Michigan Stadium. The Rockets' previous largest crowd played in front of was 94, 296 at Penn State on Sept. 2, 2000.

Senior WR Nick Moore caught a school-record 20 passes for a career-best 162 yards. Moore's 20 catches set a Michigan Stadium record and tied the MAC mark. Eastern Michigan's Kenny Christian also had 20 catches vs. Temple in 2000. Moore's total is also the most in the nation this season. UT's previous school record was 15 catches by Stephen Williams last season at Buffalo (10/13) and by Nick's older brother, Lance, against Pittsburgh on Sept. 20, 2003.

Nick Moore's previous career high for receptions was 11 catches against arch-rival Bowling Green on Nov. 23, 2007. It was his sixth-career 100-yard receiving effort. The Columbus, OH native entered today's game with a total of 20 catches through the first five games. He now ranks seventh in school history in career receptions (144).

Junior WR Stephen Williams tallied six catches for 67 yards in the victory. With today's total, Williams moved into 10^th place in school history with 1,662 yards for his career.

Junior RB DaJuane Collins returned to the starting lineup this afternoon after suffering an ankle injury against Fresno State on Sept. 20. Collins finished the game with 10 carries for 65 yards (6.5 ypc). He has now started four games this season and leads the team with 436 yards.

Junior QB Aaron Opelt completed a career-best 33 passes in 50 attempts for 257 yards. Opelt's 33 completions tied for the fifth-most in school history in a single game, while his attempts tied for sixth-best in UT annals.

Senior FS Tyrrell Herbert picked off his first pass of the season in the first quarter and returned it 100 yards for a score, marking the longest INT return in school and Michigan Stadium history. The previous long interception return for a touchdown in UT history was 93 yards by Tom Duncan vs. Marshall on Sept. 28, 1968.

Toledo scored its first touchdown in the last nine quarters (127:14) with Herbert's interception return in the first quarter. UT last scored a TD at 13:19 of the opening quarter vs. Florida International on Sept. 27.

The last time a Toledo player returned an interception for a TD was Barry Church, who returned a pick 31 yards for a score against Bowling Green on Nov. 21, 2006.

Herbert was also credited with an interception on the first play of the fourth quarter, becoming the second Rocket this season to tally two picks in a game. Back on Sept. 13 at Eastern Michigan, sophomore LB Archie Donald recorded two interceptions.

Junior PK Alex Steigerwald converted a pair of field goals in today's contest, covering 29 and 48 yards. The 48-yard field goal in the fourth quarter is the longest conversion since Todd France booted a school-record 55 yarder vs. Western Michigan on Nov. 6, 2001.

Sophomore LB Archie Donald paced the UT defense with a career-high 12 tackles, bettering his previous-best total of 10 stops vs. Ball State last Saturday.

Freshman FS Mark Singer picked up his first career interception in the waning moments of the fourth quarter. Singer finished with two tackles.

Junior C Buster Garrett saw his first action since suffering an injury against Fresno State on Sept. 20.

Redshirt freshman P Bill Claus punted the ball five times for a 41.6 average, including a career-long 62 yarder in the fourth quarter. Claus' previous career-best was 53 yards at Arizona in the season opener on Sept. 6.

Toledo finished with a commanding 33:08-26:52 edge in time of possession. The Rockets entered today's game last in the MAC in time of possession, averaging 27:34.

The Rockets were an impressive 8-of-18 (44.4) on third-down conversions. UT ranked 10^th in the league entering today's contest, completing 36.2 percent (25-of-69) on third down.

Players Mentioned

Barry Church

Bill Claus

DaJuane Collins

Archie Donald

Buster Garrett

Tyrrell Herbert

Nick Moore

Aaron Opelt

Mark Singer

Alex Steigerwald

Stephen Williams

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