Rockets Fall to Ball State, 31-0

Saturday, October 4

Toledo, OH

7:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

Ball State (Homecoming)

10/4/2008 4:00:00 AM | Football

TOLEDO ? Toledo was shut out in a Mid-American Conference game for the first time in 23 years as the Rockets lost to Ball State on Homecoming at the Glass Bowl on Saturday, 31-0.

The Rockets managed just 157 yards of total offense, including just 14 yards rushing, but still only trailed by three points at halftime, 3-0. But the second half belonged to the Cardinals, as they scored two touchdowns in both the third and fourth quarters while the Rockets had difficulty moving the ball.

Ball State (6-0, 3-0 MAC) opened the scoring in the first quarter on a 22-yard field goal by Ian McGarvey. But McGarvey missed attempts of 52 and 40 yards to help keep Toledo (1-4, 1-1 MAC) close.

But the Cardinals took the opening kickoff in the second half and promptly marched down the field in seven plays, culminating in a one-yard TD run by quarterback Nate Davis. After a missed field goal by UT's Alex Steigerwald, his first miss after a MAC-record 23 straight field goals, Ball State came back and scored on a nine-play, 80-yard drive, finished off by a three-yard run by MiQuale Lewis to put BSU up, 17-0.

Lewis scored again on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter. Cory Sykes finished off the scoring with a 57-yard run with 5:23 to play.

Toledo quarterback Aaron Opelt completed 21-of-31 passes for 143 yards. Stephen Williams led all receivers with seven receptions for 56 yards.

After three straight home games Toledo will hit the road for its next two games, at Michigan next week and at Northern Illinois on Oct. 18.