YPSILANTI, Mich. – Junior Bryant Koback rushed for a season-high 149 yards and a touchdown to lead Toledo to a 45-28 victory over Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti Wednesday night.
     Toledo (2-1, 2-1 MAC) was buoyed by a strong defense that held Eastern Michigan (0-3, 0-3 MAC) to 277 yards of total offense, including just 97 yards in the first half in which the Rockets led 24-7. Toledo led 38-7 late in the third quarter before yielding three late scores to the Eagles.
     Senior quarterback Eli Peters had another fine outing, completing 11-of-15 passes for 190 yards and two TDs. However, he came out of the game in the second quarter with an apparent injury. Sophomore Carter Bradley stepped in for Peters, completing 5-of-8 passes for 108 yards and 2 TDs.
     Senior Ronnie Blackman led the Rockets with a career-high five receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown, and was one of nine Rockets who caught a touchdown pass. Junior defensive end Jamal Hines was disruptive all night, tallying five tackles, 1.5 sacks, and scoring Toledo's final touchdown on the night with a 20-yard pick six.
First Quarter
     After each team failed to score on their first two possessions, Toledo broke through with a 25-yard touchdown reception from Devin Maddox from Eli Peters with 1:23 left in the quarter.
Second Quarter
     On the first play from scrimmage in the quarter, Peters hit Danzel McKinley-Lewis in stride over the middle for a 68-yard scoring strike to increase the lead to 14-0. EMU took advantage of a Rocket turnover to cut the lead to 14-7 when Ronnie Blackman fumbled a punt that was recovered on the UT 17-yard line. Preston Hutchinson then found Tanner Knue in the end zone from 17 yards out to cut Toledo's lead in half. Toledo avoided another possible turnover when an EMU interception in the end zone that was returned 80 yards to the UT 20-yard line was called back due to a roughing the passer penalty. On the next play Koback scored from five yards out to give the Rockets a 21-7 lead with 5:18 left in the half. The Rockets missed a chance to add to their lead following a fumble recovery on the EMU 17-yard line. But Toledo could not move the ball and Evan Davis missed a 40-yard field goal attempt. Davis redeemed himself, however, with a 39-yarder a few minutes later following a Toledo fumble recovery, upping the Rockets' lead to 24-7 at halftime.
Third Quarter
     Toledo wasted no time in the second half, forcing the Eagles to punt on their first possession then scoring quickly to make the score 31-7. Carter Bradley, in for the injured Peters, hit Isaiah Winstead for a 24-yard TD with 11:51 to play in the quarter. Bradley later hit Blackman with a pass to the left sideline that the senior turned into a 57-yard score. The Eagles cut the lead to 38-13 when Hutchinson hit DJ Smith for nine-yard TD reception with 53 second left in the quarter.
Fourth Quarter
     Hines recorded the first defensive touchdown of his career with a 20-yard interception return to push the Rockets' lead to 45-13. EMU added a pair of passing touchdowns in the final minutes of the game, but it was too little, too late for the Eagles.
Up Next
     The Rockets host Ball State on Saturday, Nov. 28. Kickoff is set for 12 noon (ESPN3).
Highlights from Toledo's game against Eastern Michigan.
Head Coach Jason Candle post-game.
Junior Bryant Koback post-game.
Sophomore Carter Bradley post-game.
Junior Jamal Hines post-game.
