by On the first week of MAC conference play for a few schools the Toledo Rockets (2-1) host the Western Michigan Broncos (1-2) who hasn’t gotten their first win since the first game of the year.
The Broncos will have to wait for their first conference win, the Rockets won todays contest with a finale score of 49-31. Tucker Gleason came in for the Rockets after Dequan Finn went down in the first possession of the second half. Peny Boone helped make things easier for Gleason thanks to his 211 yards and two touchdown performance.
Western Michigan who has had two QBs start for them this year decided that the redshirt freshman Treyson Bourguet was the man that would take the snaps in their MAC opener. The running back Jalen Buckley was the work horse for the Broncos on the first drive of the game. After a load of carries to bring the Broncos into striking distance he then stumbled his way into the endzone giving Western Michigan the lead to start the game.
The next two possessions in the game resulted in both quarter backs throwing interceptions. Toledo threw the first one after getting near the redzone while the Broncos only ran one play and giving the ball right back to the Rockets.
Finn took advantage of getting the ball back by using his legs on a QB designed run that set up a touchdown pass to Jerjuan Newton that tied the game at a touchdown a piece. Toledo continued the momentum as Finn doubled up on touchdowns, he connected with Newton again for a 34-yard touchdown.
The momentum in the second quarter changed fast after a Toledo fumble fell into the hands of Broncos defender Keni-H Lovely as he waltzed into the endzone. This was just the beginning of Toledo’s troubles as it only got worse for the Rockets.
Jalen Buckley worn down the Toledo front seven in the first half, he broke one for a touchdown with no Rocket in sight to stop him from taking the lead away from Toledo. Another failed offensive drive that led to a interception gave the Broncos time for a field goal before the half ended to give Western Michigan a 10 point lead.
The Rockets got the ball at half down 10 as disaster struck. Star QB Dequan Finn lowered his shoulder fighting for a third down as he was struck by a herd of Broncos. He was then carted off and ended the game for the standout Junior. Tucker Gleason who saw time last year when Finn was injured.
On his second possession Gleason hit Newton to bring the Rockets within a field goal. Gleason did it again after Bourguet fumbled giving the Rockets good field position. Gleason set up his own touchdown with a QB draw that saw him barrel over multiple Bronco defenders. He then found Cooper Rusk who dove into the endzone to give his team the lead in the 3rd quarter.
The back and forth continued in this thriller in the Glass Bowl, Western Michigan responded right back with a touchdown of their own to take the lead. Toledo didn’t let a Broncos score to start the fourth quarter bring them down.
A Walendzak one yard touchdown run and a Boone 19 yard touchdown gave the Rockets their biggest lead of the day with a score of 41-31. As that lead would continue to grow, the Rockets were able to close out the game due to their defense holding the Broncos in last few moments of the game.
