TOLEDO at Arizona

Sept. 6, 2008

Tuscon, AZ ? Arizona Stadium

 

With tonight's setback, Toledo falls to 3-5 in season openers under Head Coach Tom Amstutz.

 

Toledo drops to 0-2 all-time vs. Arizona and 0-4 against teams from the Pac 10. The Rockets and Wildcats will meet two more times, 2010 in Toledo and 2012 in Arizona.

 

The Rockets had 10 first-time starters (six on offense, four on defense) in tonight's season opener. (Albertson Alexandre, Robin Bailey, Joe Bates, Nate Cole, DaJuan Collins, Desmond Marrow, Chris Meenan, Daris Quinn, Kenny Stafford, Mike VanDerMeulen).

 

A total of 34 Rockets who saw action in tonight's opener were either freshmen or sophomores.

 

Junior PK Alex Steigerwald tied his career high with three field goals and has now made 18-consecutive attempts, dating back to the 2006 season. Steigerwald is 23-of-24 (.958) in two-plus years as the UT placekicker. This marks the fifth time in his career he has had at least two field goals in a game.

 

Junior QB Aaron Opelt finished 21-of-31 for 170 yards and one touchdown. Opelt has now thrown a TD pass in his last seven games played, dating back to last season.

 

Junior WR Stephen Williams caught a game-high 12 passes for 67 yards and one touchdown. Williams' 12 receptions are the second most in his career, surpassed only by his 15 catches at Buffalo on Oct. 13.

 

Junior WR Robin Bailey caught a career high three passes for 29 yards. Bailey came into tonight's season opener with two receptions.

 

Freshman P Bill Klaus made his collegiate debut and punted six times, averaging 42.0 yards per kick.

 

Junior LB Beau Brudzinski forced a fumble in the fourth quarter and has now caused two turnovers in his career.

 

Junior S Barry Church led the Rockets with 6.5 tackles, including 1.0 tackle for loss.

 

Senior DL Sean Williamson returned from an injury that caused him to miss 11 games last season and recorded the Rockets' lone sack on the first play of the game.

 

Toledo was a perfect 3-of-3 in red-zone conversions.