The University of Toledo football team was defeated 52-30 on Sept. 23 at the hands of the 14-ranked Miami Hurricanes. The loss drops the Rockets’ record to 3-1 on the season.
Fourth-year quarterback Logan Woodside threw for 342 yards and 3 touchdowns on the day. Woodside completed at least five passes to four different receivers
Second-year receiver Diontae Johnson led the Rockets in receptions and caught a career-high eight passes for 66 yards. Fourth-year receiver Cody Thompson pulled in five catches for 114 yards. Johnson also tied his career-high with two touchdown catches.
Fourth-year running back Terry Swanson pushed the ground game with 79 yards. Toledo outgained Miami in total yards at the half, 296-190, but the Hurricanes out-gained UT in the second half, 397-133.
Miami got off to a quick start with a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, scoring on its first possession with a 44-yard TD run. The Rocket defense stopped three running attempts on Miami’s second drive, forcing them to settle for a 19-yard field goal.
Toledo dominated the rest of the half, outscoring Miami 16-0 in the second quarter. The Rockets got on the board early in the second quarter on a 24-yard field goal by third-year kicker Jameson Vest to make the score 10-3.
The score was set up by a 38-yard completion from Woodside to Thompson that went to the UM two-yard line. Vest again cut into the lead by connecting a 49-yard field goal, tying his career-long, making the score 10-6 with 7:48 to play in the half.
The Rockets took the lead, 13-10, on their first touchdown of the game, a 37-yard completion from Woodside to third-year receiver Jon’Vea Johnson with 3:30 left in the half. Toledo stopped Miami on its next possession, then drove down to the Miami 20-yard line with three seconds left.
Vest’s field goal attempt hooked wide left but Miami was flagged for offsides, giving him another chance. This time he converted from 32 yards out, boosting UT to a 16-10 halftime edge.
Miami surged after halftime, taking a 17-16 lead on an eight play 91-yard drive on its second possession of the third quarter. Following a UT punt, Miami scored again, making the score 24-16.
Miami got the ball right back on a Woodside fumble late in the third quarter that was recovered by the Hurricanes on the UT 21-yard line. Two plays later, the Hurricanes extended their lead to 31-16 with 14:53 left in the fourth quarter. Moments later, Miami scored on another TD pass to make the lead 38-16.
The Rockets did not give up, however, as Woodside then drove the offense 77 yards in six plays, connecting with Johnson on a six-yard scoring strike with 9:21 left.
A two-point conversion pass from Woodside to second-year running back Art Thompkins came up just short, making the score 38-22 in favor of Miami. Moments later, second-year safety Jordan Williams picked off a Hurricane pass and returned it to the eight-yard line.
On the next play, Woodside hit Johnson for a touchdown along the right side of the end zone. Woodside hit Johnson again for the two-point conversion to make it a one score game, 38-30, with 7:37 left.
But the Hurricanes answered, driving 75 yards in five plays, capped by a 23-yard TD, to make the score 45-30. Miami would find the end zone one more time before the clock hit zeroes with a 15-yard run, bringing the final score to 52-30.
The Rockets are off next week and will return to action Saturday, Oct. 7 at noon, when they host Eastern Michigan in the annual Homecoming game. The game will be broadcast on ESPN3.
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