2016 Week 6 Recap: Toledo Outlasts EMU In Hard Fought Battle

Even though it was homecoming for EMU, the Rockets were supposed to roll in a big win. No one told the Eagles. Toledo moved the football early, mostly on the ground, but the Eagles were able to keep them out of the end zone until the 8:24 mark in the second quarter. EMU got on the board with 8 seconds left in the half, to make it 7-3 at the intermission. If not for a shoe string tackle on a 44 yard pass to Sergio Baily that set up the field goal, it almost certainly would have been 7-7.

Toledo started to pull away in the third quarter, when they got a 63 yard Logan Woodside to Cody Thompson touchdown. On the ensuing kick off, EMU fumbled, setting up a 2 yard touchdown run by Kareem Hunt. The old EMU might have given up, but this version didn’t. They marched back with a 7 play, 72 yard scoring drive, capped off with a Breck Turner three yard run.

In a drive that was indicative of the toughness both teams showed all game, Rockets tight end Michael Roberts was knocked out of the game on a big hit on a third down conversion. Later in the drive, He came back and caught a 15 yard TD. Undeterred, Brogan Roback led the Eagles down the field on a 7 play, 75 yard play TD drive that only took 2 minutes and change off the clock. Worn out, the EMU defense was no match for a determined Toledo offense that went 83 yards for the score. Equally important, they took over 6 minutes off the clock, ending the hope of the Eagles’ faithful.

Once again, the Rockets proved they have one of the best offenses in the country. Even though EMU held them 130 under their average, they still managed 466 yards in a balanced attack. Woodside had 244 yards and 4 touchdowns in the air. Toledo gained 219 yards on the ground, with Kareem Hunt leading the way with 140 and a score. Robeck was the EMU offense, with 255 yards and a score.

In the end, Toledo won, but EMU announced they are no longer a doormat, and the 4 wins already this season are no fluke.