Western Michigan and Toledo combined for 18 touchdowns and 1439 total yards of offense. They scored 129 points in 60 minutes, and lest you think there wasn’t a shred of defense being played, they also combined for 10 turnovers, including two returned for touchdowns. But as far as Toledo is concerned, the only number that matters is the final score: 66-63.
Western Michigan Vs. Toledo: Rockets Survive 129-Point Shootout
Give Toledo credit: after last week's heartbreaking 63-60 loss to Northern Illinois, they knew they needed just a little bit more to win a game. Quarterback Terrance Owens threw for 318 yards and three scores, while Adonis Thomas carried the ball 30 times for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Morgan Williams and David Fluellen combined for another 20 carries, 120 yards and three touchdowns as the Rockets dominated on the ground.
For the Broncos, it was the Alex Calder show, as the junior quarterback accounted for eight touchdowns -- seven through the air and one rushing -- and an amazing 548 yards. Jordan White was his primary receiver, catching 16 balls for 238 yards and three scores, while Josh Schaffer pitched in six catches for 114 yards and a score. The running game was productive but rarely used, as Tevin Drake carried the ball just 13 times for 71 yards.
The Broncos got on the board first with a pair of touchdowns but still managed to close the quarter trailing 21-14. They pulled ahead briefly in the second quarter but entered halftime knotted at 28-28. Instead of slowing down, the scoring pace picked up the rest of the way, with each team scoring five more touchdowns in the second half. Ultimately, the game's lone field goal -- a 39-yarder in the final minutes of the fourth quarter by Toledo's Jeremiah Detmer -- proved to be the difference.
The loss drops Western Michigan to 5-5 (3-3 MAC) on the year, mired in fifth place in the MAC West. Toledo, meanwhile, improved to 6-4 (5-1), tied for first in the division with Northern Illinois, who defeated Bowling Green on Tuesday.
For more on the MAC, visit MAC conference blog Hustle Belt.
See More:
