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The University of Toledo Rockets (5-0, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) will look to continue their unblemished season this Saturday as they welcome MAC West opponent Eastern Michigan (1-5, 0-2 MAC) to the Glass Bowl. The Rockets have climbed to No. 22 in the most recent AP poll and No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. This marks the first time UT has been ranked in both polls since the conclusion of the 2001 season.
For the Rockets, a program known for offensive production, it has been the defense that has stepped up the last three weeks. During that stretch, the Toledo defense has surrendered just one offensive touchdown, while giving up just over 242 yards per game. Leading the way for the Rockets has been senior defensive end Trent Voss, who was just named MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week, following Toledo's 38-7 victory over Kent State.
Offensively, look for Toledo to continue to lean on the conference's best rushing attack against a porous Eagles defense that has yielded over 40 points per game this season and over 44 points per game during a four game losing streak. The Rocket running back trio of Terry Swanson, Damion Jones-Moore and Kareem Hunt have combined to run for over 800 yards and average over 5.6 yards per carry. The Rocket offensive line has not only been leading the way on the ground, but in pass protection as well, as quarterback Phillip Ely has not been sacked once this season in 172 pass attempts.
Head coach Chris Creighton's Eagles will enter the Glass Bowl following a demoralizing 47-21 home loss to Akron last week, which followed a very positive showing in a 44-22 defeat at LSU on Oct. 3. On offense the Eagles will look to running back Darius Jackson who is second in the conference with 585 rushing yards while adding eight touchdowns. It is unclear based on Creighton's comments early in the week who will line up behind center for EMU, Brogan Roback or Reginald Bell. Bell suffered a broken jaw in the opening game and Roback has filled in completing 63.8 percent of his passes for 1,242 yards with nine TDs and eight interceptions.
The Rockets have feasted on the Eagles in recent years, winning eight straight in the series by an average of 28.4 points and holding a 14-1 record against EMU since 1999. Matt Campbell's Rockets will take the field for the noon kickoff as close to a 30 point favorite over the Eagles.