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When the cold weather comes to Midwestern football, it tends to help the defense. It was under 50 degrees in the Glass Bowl as Toledo faced Central Michigan. In the first half, neither team was particularly effective moving the football, with Toledo managing a solitary field goal. CMU got nothing. The most eventful drive, however, was the last drive by CMU. On a 4th and 5, Jack Sheldon, a punter for CMU, threw an 18 yard pass. Unfortunately for the Chippewas, a few plays later they fumbled at the goal line.
Toledo got the ball to start the second half, and marched down the field. The drive was capped with a 16 yard Logan Woodside to Cody Thompson pass. After an interception by CMU’s Cooper Rush, Toledo marched down the field and Woodside threw another 16 yard touchdown pass to Thompson.
CMU got the ball and after a couple of big Cooper Rush completions, he finished with his feet on a 20 yard run for a touchdown. CMU got the ball back after a short Toledo drive, and drove down for a field goal to pull within 7. Toledo went 74 yards and capped the long drive with yet another Woodside to Thompson score. CMU, which showed grit the entire game, went for it on 4th with 10:35 to go, on a decision coach John Bonamego may later regret, as they failed. A long TD from Woodside to Thompson on 3rd and 19 all but sealed the win. On the following CMU drive, two interceptions, including one that was highlight reel material from DeJaun Rogers, were called back because of roughing the passer penalties. The Rockets fans were booing, and the CMU fans were showing surprising spunk when Rush threw a TD to Tyler Conlkin. Conklin was wearing number 21 for the game. Each game, a CMU player wears the number to honor Derrick Nash, a Chippewa that lost his battle with leukemia last year.
That ended all scoring, with the Rockets winning 31-17.
Logan Woodside had another big game for the Rockets, completing 23 of his 32 attempts for 264 yards. All 4 of his touchdown passes went to Cody Thompson, who had 7 grabs for 122 yards. Corey Jones, the other prolific Rockets receiver, had 7 catches for 85 yards.
The Rockets two headed monster at tailback proved effective, with Kareem Hunt gaining 87 yards on 20 carries, and Terry Swanson gaining 47 on 9.
Cooper Rush had a solid day throwing the football for the Chippewas, completing 18 of his 31 attempts. He had one interception to go with his one passing touchdown, and had a long run for another. Devon Spalding lead CMU in rushing, with 10 carries for 65 yards. Tyler Conklin had 5 receptions for 74 yards and a score, while Corey Willis also had a good game with 6 catches and 73 yards.