2021 Mid-American Conference Week 5 Game Recap: Toledo 45, UMass 7

The Rockets would ride three first half UMass turnovers and one turnover on downs to a dominating performance on Saturday, taking down the former MAC member UMass Minutemen by a final score of 45-7. The win improved Toledo to 3-2 (1-0 MAC), and dropped UMass to 0-5.

The Rockets backup QB DeQuan Finn continued his playmaking ways with a 34-yard touchdown run with 5:38 to play on the first play from scrimmage following a Minuteman fumble in the first quarter to start the scoring.

Thomas Cluckey added a 29-yard field goal early in the second quarter to pull the Rockets up 10-0.

Following a Nate Bauer interception of UMass QB Brady Olson, Bryant Koback powered in from five yards out to put Toledo up 17-0 and he would add hi second rushing touchdown just moments later with an 18-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 24-0.

The Rockets weren’t done in the first half, as following Dyontae Johnson interception and 27 yards return, tight end Drew Rosi caught a 7-yard pass from Carter Bradley with 49 seconds to play in the first half.

The Rockets cruised into the half up 31-0 with three scores coming on the first play following a UMass turnover.

Toledo opened the second half scoring with Finn connecting on a six-yard pass with Bryce Mitchell with 8:56 to go in the third, putting Toledo up 38-0.

In the 4^th Micah Kelly had the fourth rushing touchdown of the day for the Rockets, scoring on a six-yard run with 11:54 to go.

UMass would halt the Rockets at 45 unanswered points with a Taylor Edwards two-yard touchdown catch from QB Brady Olson to cut the lead to the final of 45-7.

Carter Bradley was 11-of-18 for the Rockets for 110 yards with a touchdown. DeQuan Finn was 8-of-10 for 102 yards and a touchdown, with five carries for 43 yards and a touchdown.

Bryant Koback had 82 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns, while Jacquez Stuart had 11 carries for 53 yards. Micah Kelly had a touchdown to go with 39 yards on nine carries.

Isaiah Winstead had four catches for 75 yards while Demeer Blankumsee had four catches for 47 yards. Drew Rossi and Bryce Mitchell added touchdown receptions.

Thomas Cluckey was 1-of-2 on field goals with the make coming from 29 yards, and was 9-of-9 on extra points.

Defensively for the Rockets, Jamal Hines had eight tackles, and one for a loss. Jonathan Jones had five tackles with a sack while Nate Bauer and Dyontae Johnson added interceptions. Samuel Womack and Desjuan Johnson recovered fumbles.

UMass QB Brady Olson was just 9-of-22 for 106 yards with one touchdown and a pick, which was good for a QBR of just 1.4. Reserve Garrett Dzuro was 0-1 with a pick.

Kay’Ron Adams had 12 carries for 23 yards to pace the Minutemen. Rico Arnold paced UMass with three catches for 44 yards while Taylor Edwards had the two-yard touchdown reception. Cameron Carson made his only extra point attempt while Da’Shon Ross had 14 tackles to go with ten tackles from Gerrell Johnson.

UMass had four fumbles and lost two, while also losing two picks.

Toledo had 22 first downs, to UMass’ eight. UT was 7 of 15 on third downs while UMass was just 1 for 11. Toledo outgained the Minutemen 455 to 134 and outrushed them 223 to just 23 yards.

UMass hosts UConn next week, while Toledo hosts Northern Illinois.