| The University of Toledo will recognize the All-Time Greatest Plays in Rocket History as part of the 100-Year Celebration. The Greatest Plays list, along with the All-Century Team and All-Time Greatest Victories, will be unveiled via social media throughout the summer during a 100-day "Countdown to Kickoff," culminating on Aug. 31, the date of Toledo's home opener vs. Elon. |
Check on Twitter @ToledoRockets or Facebook @UTRockets for the most updated countdown.
(All-Time Greatest Plays as of August 15, 2017)
1. Oct.11, 1969: Kent Crots' Miracle Kick: With UT trailing by two points with just two seconds remaining, Ken Crots kicks a 38-yard field goal into a stiff wind to give Toledo a 27-26 victory. Or did the wind let up just as Crots booted the ball? Opinions vary, but his kick just managed to climb over the crossbar, giving the Rockets their fourth and perhaps most incredible victory in its famous 35-game winning streak.
2. Nov.30, 2001: "Nerd Up the Middle" Leads Rockets to MAC Title: Trailing 23-0 to Marshall in the 2001 MAC Championship Game, Toledo rallies, highlighted by a zany fake field goal in which kicker Todd France took the handoff and ran 16 yards straight into the end zone, not stopping until he collided with the goal post. A jubilant head coach Tom Amstutz tells reporters after the game that he calls the play "Nerd Up the Middle."
3. Sept.20, 2003: Gradkowski to Moore Knocks off No.9 Pitt: Bruce Gradkowski caps off a then-school record 461 yard passing performacne with a nine-yard corner route to Lance Moore with 43 seconds left to knock off No.9 Pittsburgh.
4. Dec.14, 1995: Wasean Tait is Knocked Out After His TD Knocks Out Nevada: Wasean Tait scores the winning touchdown at the 1995 Las Vegas Bowl in the first overtime in Division I-A football history. Tait, who set four bowl records and was named the game's co-MVP in the 40-37 win, was buried under a sea of Rockets in the victory celebration and promptly passed out cold.
5. Oct.11, 2008: Tyrell Herbert's Pick Six Goes 100 Yards in the Big House: Tyrell Herbert picks off a Wolverine pass at the goal line and bolts 100 years for Toledo's only touchdown in a 13-10 win over Michigan before 107,267 witnesses in the Big House.
6. Dec.19, 1981: The Kick That Won The West: Tony Lee's last-second 41-yard field goal gives Toledo a 27-25 upset win over No.20 San Jose State in the 1981 California Bowl.
7. Nov. 23, 2002: Greene's TD Sends NIU Students Scrambling Back to Their Seats: With NIU's student section beginning to move onto the field in anticipation of NIU's first-ever MAC West title, quarterback Brian Jones complete wide receiver screen to Donta' Greene that goes 26 yards for the game-winning touchdown.
8. Dec.28, 2011: Air Force's Two-Point Conversion is Grounded: Air Force opted to go for two points instead of kicking a game-tying field extra point, but the play was busted up by sophomore defensive end Jayrone Elliott, giving Matt Campbell a 42-41 victory in his debut as head coach.
9. Nov. 22, 2005: Gradkowski Find Hopkins (Again) in Double Overtime: Bruce Gradkowski hit tight end Christian Hopkins with a TD pass in the second overtime to give the Rockets a 44-41 win on a rain-soaked field in Doyt Perry Stadium. Just a few moments earlier, Gradkowski sent the game into overtime with a TD pass to Hopkins.
10. Dec. 29, 2001: Boyd Breaks Up Cincinnati's Fourth-Down TD Pass: Senior safety Andy Boyd broke up a fourth-down pass in the end zone to preserve Toledo's 23-16 victory over Cincinnati in the 2001 Motor City Bowl. On fourth down from the five-yard line with less than a minute to play, Bearcat QB Gino Guidugli's pass was bobbled by Ray Jackson, when Boyd wrestled him to the ground, jarring the ball loose.
