KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Toledo ended its regular season on the losing end of a 20-14 decision to Western Michigan on Friday afternoon in Waldo Stadium.
Trailing 20-7 in the the fourth quarter, the Rockets scored with 5:11 to play on a 17-yard touchdown reception by DeMeer Blankumsee to cut the Broncos' lead to 20-14. Toledo had a chance to take a lead but its final two possessions of the game ended with an interception and an incomplete pass on fourth-and-one.
Toledo (7-5, 5-3 MAC) played most the game without starting quarterback Dequan Finn, who has been battling an ankle injury. Finn played five series in the first half and sat out most of the game in favor of redshirt freshman Tucker Gleason. Gleason completed 13-of-38 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown. Devin Maddox and Mikel Barkley both caught four passes.
Toledo's defense was stellar for much of the game, surrendering just 188 yards of total offense and holding Western Michigan (5-7, 4-4 MAC) to 2-of-20 on third down and forcing 14 punts, one shy of the school record. Western's two touchdowns came on a 36-yard interception return and a 63-yard run.
The Rockets will need to rebound and get ready for the MAC Championship Game vs. Ohio at Detroit's Ford Field next Saturday, Dec. 3.
"We didn't make enough tough plays when we needed to extend our drives offensively," said Head Coach Jason Candle. "Our defense played their tails off. We gave them a touchdown and a pick-six. It was one of those games where in the tough moments, we didn't make the plays we needed to make. We have to do a better job of preparing and executing offensively. We need to do a better job of getting our kids ready to rock 'n roll and ready to play. We are back to work tomorrow to get ready for the game next week."
First Quarter
The teams punted three times each and combined for five first downs.
Second Quarter
Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell set up the first score of the game with an interception that gave Toledo the ball at midfield. Quarterback Tucker Gleason completed a pass to tight end Anthony Torres to the two-yard line, then took it in himself on the next play to give Toledo a 7-0 lead. After a three-and-out by WMU, Bronco cornerback Keni-H Lovely picked off Dequan Finn's sideline pass and took it 36 yards for the score to tie the game at 7-7 with 9:16 to play in the half. Western took a 10-7 lead into the locker room with a 33-yard field goal on the final play of the half.
Third Quarter
WMU added to its lead when Sean Tyler bolted for a 63-yard touchdown to make the score 17-7 with 8:13 to play in the quarter. A 38-yard Bronco field goal at the 1:30 mark increased Western's lead to 20-7.
Fourth Quarter
Toledo cut the lead to 20-14 when Gleason drove the Rockets 95 yards in just four plays and 44 seconds, culminating with a 17-yard TD throw to DeMeer Blankumsee with 5:11 left. Toledo's defense then forced the Broncos to punt but Gleason was intercepted on the second play on UT's ensuing possession. The Rockets' defense forced another punt with 2:28 left, but Toledo was unable to gain a first down. WMU then ran out the clock to secure the win.
Up Next
The Rockets travel to Detroit's Ford Field to battle East champion Ohio at the 2022 MAC Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 3.
• TICKETS:
Tickets for the MAC Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 3 can be purchased online at UTRockets.com/MACTix.
