Muncie, IN - Another dominating performance by its defense helped the Toledo Rockets defeat Ball State, 24-10, on a cold and blustery afternoon in Muncie on Saturday.
The Rockets, who overcame 14 penalties ;for 135 yards, move to 4-0 on the season, 1-0 in Mid-American Conference play. Toledo, which entered the game just one spot out of the AP Top 25 poll, hopes to crack into the list in next week's poll for the first time since 2012. Ball State fell to 2-3 (1-1 MAC).
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The Rockets, who overcame 14 penalties ;for 135 yards, move to 4-0 on the season, 1-0 in Mid-American Conference play. Toledo, which entered the game just one spot out of the AP Top 25 poll, hopes to crack into the list in next week's poll for the first time since 2012. Ball State fell to 2-3 (1-1 MAC).
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One week after stifling Arkansas State 37-7, Toledo held the Cardinals to just 262 yards of total offense and one touchdown on a long pass play. That was the first TD allowed from scrimmage by UT since the fourth quarter of the Iowa State game. The Rockets led 24-3 at halftime and held Ball State to just 26 yards rushing on 30 carries. Rocket opponents have rushed for 12 yards on 54 attempts in the last two games.
Junior linebacker Jaylen Coleman led Toledo in tackles with eight, his fourth consecutive game tallying a team-high mark in stops. Senior defensive end Trent Voss added seven tackles (three TFL), while senior cornerback Cheatham Norrils had six stops and two pass breakups.
The offense, missing injured star running back Kareem Hunt (hamstring) for the second straight game, was powered by a three-headed rushing attack of sophomore Terry Swanson (139 yards) and juniors Damion Jones-Moore (85 yards, 1 TD) and Marc Remy (56 yards). Senior QB Phillip Ely shook off two first-quarter interceptions to complete 16-of-22 passes for 164 yards and two scores.
Toledo's offense got off to a rocky start, with Ely throwing interceptions on his first two attempts, one each on UT's first two possessions. However, Toledo was not harmed by the miscues as the Rocket defense stopped BSU after both turnovers.
The Rockets finally broke through after their own defense forced a turnover. Junior linebacker DeJuan Rogers knocked the ball loose from BSU quarterback Riley Neal, and it was recovered by Keenan Gibbs. Ely then marched UT 69 yards in 12 plays, finishing off the drive with a two-yard TD pass to junior tight end Michael Roberts.
The Rockets advanced the lead to 14-0 on their next drive, sticking mostly with the ground game. Swanson had back-to-back runs of 16 yards and Jones-Moore finished it off with an 11-yard score.
Toledo's next score was a 31-yard field goal by Jameson Vest that was set up by a 41-yard run by Remy, making the score 17-0 with 3:15 left in the half. Following another Ball State punt, Ely hit senior wide receiver Alonzo Russell for a 38-yard scoring strike to make the score 24-0.
The Cardinals finally got on the scoreboard with a 29-yard field goal by Morgan Hagee as time expired to end the first half. It was the first points allowed by Toledo's defense since overtime of the Iowa State game on Sept. 19.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Ball State shook off its offensive doldrums with a 51-yard touchdown reception by Jordan Williams from Riley Neal, cutting the lead to 24-10 with 11:12 left in the contest. The Cardinals had a chance to cut the lead further, but Hagge's 36-yard field attempt with 5:34 missed badly to the right.
Toledo then gained 57 yards and four first downs to run out the clock to clinch the win.
Neal completed 23 of 37 for 236 yards. Williams collected seven eceptions for 100 yards and James Gilbert topped BSU rushers with 29 yards on 11 carries.
The Rockets return home next week, hosting Kent State for Homecoming. Ball State hosts Northern Illinois.
(Courtesy of UT Athletics)
Junior linebacker Jaylen Coleman led Toledo in tackles with eight, his fourth consecutive game tallying a team-high mark in stops. Senior defensive end Trent Voss added seven tackles (three TFL), while senior cornerback Cheatham Norrils had six stops and two pass breakups.
The offense, missing injured star running back Kareem Hunt (hamstring) for the second straight game, was powered by a three-headed rushing attack of sophomore Terry Swanson (139 yards) and juniors Damion Jones-Moore (85 yards, 1 TD) and Marc Remy (56 yards). Senior QB Phillip Ely shook off two first-quarter interceptions to complete 16-of-22 passes for 164 yards and two scores.
Toledo's offense got off to a rocky start, with Ely throwing interceptions on his first two attempts, one each on UT's first two possessions. However, Toledo was not harmed by the miscues as the Rocket defense stopped BSU after both turnovers.
The Rockets finally broke through after their own defense forced a turnover. Junior linebacker DeJuan Rogers knocked the ball loose from BSU quarterback Riley Neal, and it was recovered by Keenan Gibbs. Ely then marched UT 69 yards in 12 plays, finishing off the drive with a two-yard TD pass to junior tight end Michael Roberts.
The Rockets advanced the lead to 14-0 on their next drive, sticking mostly with the ground game. Swanson had back-to-back runs of 16 yards and Jones-Moore finished it off with an 11-yard score.
Toledo's next score was a 31-yard field goal by Jameson Vest that was set up by a 41-yard run by Remy, making the score 17-0 with 3:15 left in the half. Following another Ball State punt, Ely hit senior wide receiver Alonzo Russell for a 38-yard scoring strike to make the score 24-0.
The Cardinals finally got on the scoreboard with a 29-yard field goal by Morgan Hagee as time expired to end the first half. It was the first points allowed by Toledo's defense since overtime of the Iowa State game on Sept. 19.
Following a scoreless third quarter, Ball State shook off its offensive doldrums with a 51-yard touchdown reception by Jordan Williams from Riley Neal, cutting the lead to 24-10 with 11:12 left in the contest. The Cardinals had a chance to cut the lead further, but Hagge's 36-yard field attempt with 5:34 missed badly to the right.
Toledo then gained 57 yards and four first downs to run out the clock to clinch the win.
Neal completed 23 of 37 for 236 yards. Williams collected seven eceptions for 100 yards and James Gilbert topped BSU rushers with 29 yards on 11 carries.
The Rockets return home next week, hosting Kent State for Homecoming. Ball State hosts Northern Illinois.
(Courtesy of UT Athletics)
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