TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo's defense held Colorado State's offense out of the end zone but five Ram field goals and a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown was enough to defeat the Rockets, 22-6, at the Glass Bowl on Saturday.

      Toledo (1-2) was only able to convert a pair of field goals by Thomas Cluckey, one in the second quarter and one in the third. The Rockets were still in the game, trailing only 13-6 midway through the fourth quarter. However, three late Rocket drives came up empty and Colorado State (1-2) tacked on three field goals for the non-conference victory.

      Sophomore Carter Bradley completed 22-of-36 passes for 254 yards. Senior wide receiver Bryce Mitchell led the Rocket receivers with five catches. Toledo's defense held the Rams to 319 yards and just 4-of-17 on third-down conversions. Redshirt freshman linebacker Jackson Barrow and sophomore defensive tackle Judge Culpepper led the Rockets with eight tackles apiece.

First Quarter
      Colorado State scored first with a 15-play drive on its second possession that ended with a 31-yard field goal with 5:15 left in the quarter.

Second Quarter
      Toledo got a break when the Rams fumbled a punt that was recovered by Danzel McKinley-Lewis on the CSU 25-yard line. Thomas Cluckey converted the turnover into a 43-yard field, knotting the score at 3-3 with 6:00 left in the half.

Third Quarter
      Colorado State regained the lead on a 42-yard field goal with 8:30 left in the third quarter. A 23-yard TD run by the Rams during the drive was nullified by an illegal block. The Rockets tied it up, 6-6, moments later on a 38-yard field by Cluckey. Colorado State's special teams then came through with a big play, as Thomas Pannunzio returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown.

Fourth Quarter
      Colorado State received a golden opportunity when a fumbled exchange by the Rockets was recovered by the Rams on the UT 37-yard line. CSU converted the turnover into a 29-yard field goal to extend the lead to 16-6 with 7:45 left. Toledo was unable to mount a comeback in the waning minutes, and Colorado State connected on two more field goals to seal the victory.

Up Next

      The Rockets travel to defending MAC Champion Ball State next Saturday in the league opener for both schools.


Head Coach Jason Candle post-game.


Sophomore Judge Culpepper post-game.