University of Toledo
3-0
Fresno State
1-2
Rockets Roll Over Fresno State, 52-17
9/17/2016 5:22:00 PM | Football
The victory moves Toledo to 3-0, while Fresno State falls to 1-2.
For the third time in three games, Toledo's defense dominated the game. Toledo  held the Bulldogs to just 254 of total offense and 0-of-13 on third-down conversions. UT did not yield a first down until the 10-minute mark of the second quarter. Fresno State quarterback Chason Virgil completed just 12-of-23 passes, while Bulldog running backs averaged just 1.9 yards per carry. Senior defensive tackle Treyvon Hester led the way with two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, while senior defensive end John Stepec had two TFLs and two QB hurries.
The Rockets have now  surrendered an average of just 10.0 points and 251.7 yards of total offense in their three wins.
Woodside completed 15-of-26 passes, with two scoring throws to senior tight end Michael Roberts and one each to junior Cody Thompson and sophomore Jon'Vea Johnson. His four TD passes give him 11 in three contests this season. Thompson (game-high 102 yards receiving) and  senior Corey Jones each had a game-high four receptions, while Roberts had three. Hunt cracked the 100-yard mark for the first time this season and the 21st time in his four-year career. Redshirt freshman Art Thompkins also gained 103 yards on 15 carries, his first 100-yard effort.
The Rockets took advantage of good field position to open up a 24-0 halftime lead, with drives of 64, 60, 55 and 50 yards. Toledo opened the scoring on their second possession on a 36-yard touchdown pass from Woodside to Thompson. Â Woodside went right back to work on UT's next possession, connecting with Roberts for a nine-yard score to make it 14-0 with 5:36 to play in the quarter.
The Rockets third score came on the ground, a seven-yard rushing TD by Hunt that capped a seven-play, 55-yard drive early in the second quarter. After another three-and-out by FSU, the Rockets drove down to the opponents' five-yard line before settling for a 22-yard field goal by Jameson Vest to make the score 24-0 with 10:27 to play in the half. UT had a chance to extend the lead moments later but Vest's attempt at a career-long 45-yard field goal was wide left.
Woodside opened the second half with an 18-yard scoring strike to Johnson to extend the lead to 31-0. On their next possession, the Rockets used a 47-yard completion from Woodside to Thompson to set up a six-yard scoring toss to Roberts.
Fresno State broke into the scoring column with 2:02 left in the third quarter on a nine-yard completion from Virgil to KeeSean Johnson. FSU tacked on a 42-yard field goal by Kody Kroening on the second play of the fourth quarter to trim the lead to 38-10.
Thompkins scored his first collegiate touchdown on a one-yard plunge to make it 45-10. FSU cut the lead to 45-17 on an 85-yard bomb from Virgil to Jamire Jordan. Toledo closed out the scoring on a 62-yard TD pass from junior Michael Julian to senior Zach Yousey with 4:03 left.
The Rockets are off next week and will return to action on Friday, Sept. 30 in a non-conference game at Brigham Young.
Highlights: Toledo 52, Fresno State 17
Head Coach Jason Candle
Junior quarterback Logan Woodside
Senior running back Kareem Hunt
Senior defensive tackle Treyvon Hester
Senior defensive end John Stepec
Team Stats
FS 0, TOLEDO 7
TOLEDO - THOMPSON, Cody 36 yd pass from WOODSIDE, Logan (VEST, Jameson kick) 4 plays, 64 yards, TOP 1:41
FS 0, TOLEDO 14
TOLEDO - ROBERTS, M. 9 yd pass from WOODSIDE, Logan (VEST, Jameson kick) 6 plays, 60 yards, TOP 2:32
FS 0, TOLEDO 21
TOLEDO - HUNT, Kareem 7 yd run (VEST, Jameson kick), 7 plays, 55 yards, TOP 2:48
FS 0, TOLEDO 24
TOLEDO - VEST, Jameson 22 yd field goal 7 plays, 50 yards, TOP 2:17
FS 0, TOLEDO 31
TOLEDO - JOHNSON,Jon'Vea 18 yd pass from WOODSIDE, Logan (VEST, Jameson kick) 7 plays, 53 yards, TOP 2:54
FS 0, TOLEDO 38
TOLEDO - ROBERTS, M. 6 yd pass from WOODSIDE, Logan (VEST, Jameson kick) 8 plays, 69 yards, TOP 3:27
FS 7, TOLEDO 38
FS - JOHNSON, KeeSea 9 yd pass from VIRGIL, Chason (KROENING, Kody kick) 7 plays, 66 yards, TOP 3:27
FS 10, TOLEDO 38
FS - KROENING, Kody 42 yd field goal 4 plays, -6 yards, TOP 1:06
FS 10, TOLEDO 45
TOLEDO - THOMPKINS, Art 1 yd run (VEST, Jameson kick), 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 2:45
FS 17, TOLEDO 45
FS - JORDAN, Jamire 85 yd pass from VIRGIL, Chason (KROENING, Kody kick) 1 plays, 85 yards, TOP 0:10
FS 17, TOLEDO 52
TOLEDO - YOUSEY, Zach 62 yd pass from JULIAN, Michael (VEST, Jameson kick) 5 plays, 82 yards, TOP 2:34
