KALAMAZOO, Mich. - Toledo put on a dominating display of defense for much of the game, but a late touchdown and two-point conversion dropped the Rockets in a 14-13 defeat to Western Michigan at Waldo Stadium on Saturday.
The Rockets (2-2, 0-1 MAC) built up a 13-0 lead midway through the third quarter, including senior Chip Trayanum's 63-yard touchdown run, but the Broncos (1-3, 1-0) came back on touchdown drives late in the third and fourth quarters to come out on top.
Toledo's defense held the Broncos to 291 yards and secured three takeaways and four sacks. Sophomore Chris D'Appolonia finished tied a team high with eight tackles including seven solo stops. Senior Emmanuel McNeil-Warren also had eight tackles and added a forced fumble. Senior Andre Fuller had an interception and a fumble recovery to go with six tackles.
Trayanum finished with 153 yards on 26 carries, averaging 5.9 yards per rush.
Quoting Head Coach Jason Candle
"Disappointed in the outcome of the game. Hats off to Western Michigan on a very physical football game. They made a couple of plays at the end. We have tons of mistakes to fix on the videotape. We have to get back, get ready to roll and get prepared to play next week. Too many errors and self-inflicted mistakes that cost us today. We've got to look ourselves in the mirror, get back to the practice field and get ready for next week."
First Quarter
- Toledo drove to the WMU 20-yard line on its opening series but the drive ended on a third-down interception
Second Quarter
- The Rockets recovered a fumbled punt late in the quarter and converted it into a 30-yard field goal by Dylan Cunanan with 22 seconds left.
Third Quarter
- On the second play from scrimmage in the second half, Chip Trayanum busted off a 63-yard touchdown run to give Toledo a 10-0 lead.
- The Rockets made it 13-0 on a 27-yard field by Cunanan that was set up by a fumble recovery on the WMU 25-yard line.
- WMU cut the lead to 13-6 with 48 seconds left in the quarter on a six-yard TD run by QB Broc Lowry that capped a 90-yard drive. The PAT attempt hit the upright.
Fourth Quarter
- Western Michigan embarked on a 13-play, 67-yard drive that reached the Toledo 15-yard line, but a fourth-down pass to the end zone was broken up by Andre Fuller to keep Toledo's lead at 13-6 with 2:10 to play.
- After a Toledo punt, Western Michigan drove 47 yards and scored on a six-yard touchdown run by Broc Lowry. Lowry then ran in the two-point conversion for a 14-13 Western Michigan lead with 52 seconds left.
- The Rockets' final drive stalled out in their own territory to finish the game.
Post-Game Notes
- Toledo's defense has allowed 35 points in its last three games. WMU's TD in the third quarter snapped a streak of six scoreless quarters for the Rocket D.
- The Rockets' defense has allowed 14 points in its last two games, the fewest since allowing 10 across two games against LIU and UMass to open the 2022 season.
- Chip Trayanum rushed for 153 yards on 26 attempts and a touchdown. His 63-yard TD run in the third quarter was the second-longest run of his career.
- Senior cornerback Andre Fuller grabbed his first career interception as a Rocket. He had three picks in two season at Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He also recoved a fumble.
- Senior safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren forced a fumble for the second time this year. He has eight forced fumbles in his career. He also had eight tackles and 0.5 sacks.
- Sophomore Chris D'Appolonia set a career high with his eight tackles, including seven solo stops.
Up Next
     The Rockets host Akron in its 95th Homecoming game on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m. Streaming will be on ESPN+ and the Rocket Radio Network
