Patriots Crushed by Fatal Mistakes
Fatal mistakes that cost the patriots their fourth Super Bowl Championship. Read more...
FACTS & STATS: Site: Glass Bowl (26,248) -- Toledo, Ohio. Television: BCSN, ESPN3.com. Home Record: EMU 3-0, Toledo 1-1. Away Record: EMU 0-2, Toledo 1-2. Neutral Record: EMU 0-0, Toledo 0-0. Conference Record: EMU 1-0, Toledo 1-0. Series Record: Toledo leads, 26-11.
GAME NOTES: Two very different offenses will clash this weekend when the Toledo Rockets host the Eastern Michigan Eagles in Mid-American Conference play at the Glass Bowl.
Eastern Michigan has abused its opponents with the run and so far that has led to three victories, including a 31-23 decision over Akron this past weekend. The win snapped a two-game slide for the Eagles. However, the two losses did occur on the road, as Eastern Michigan was throttled in back-to-back weeks by Michigan and Penn State.
As for the Rockets, they have relied more on the passing attack, and even though the team is just 2-3, the offense has looked fantastic. The Rockets went through a gauntlet and came out winless, falling to Ohio State, Boise State and Syracuse. However, the team snap that skid with an impressive 36-13 decision on the road against Temple this past weekend.
This has been a lopsided series for quite some time, as the Rockets currently hold a 26-11 edge over the Eagles. Toledo has won four straight against EMU, and 10 of the last 11 matchups. The last time the Eagles soared to victory at the Glass Bowl was back in 1999.
The Eagles have utilized a devastating rushing attack this year, and that trend continued in the team's recent win over Akron. The top rushing team in the MAC gashed the Zips for 228 yards and found the end zone four times on the ground.
Dominique White led the way with 164 yards and three scores, while quarterback Alex Gillett added 62 yards and another touchdown. Since the rushing attack was so successful Gillett only threw for 94 yards.
However, this has been the scheme for coach Ron English's squad since day one of the season, and for the most part it has worked out, considering the team is averaging a robust 233.0 ypg rushing. Even though it was White leading the way against Akron, he is currently third on the team with only 221 yards and trails Javonti Green (379) and Gillett (295).
Since the Eagles have been able to run the ball with such ease it has taken an enormous amount of pressure off the defensive unit, which over the past few seasons has been terrible.
The Eagles are only allowing 333.0 total ypg, which is outstanding considering the team surrendered over 450.0 yards per matchup a year ago. Eastern Michigan did allow two passing touchdowns against Akron and also surrendered 139 yards on the ground.
For this unit to become a true force it will need to make a bigger impact in terms of big plays, because so far the defense only has eight takeaways and pressuring the quarterback has not been a strong point for this unit either, as the team has only 12 thus far.
The Rockets are likely looking forward to the challenge of producing points against a much improved EMU defense. Toledo is flying high after clobbering Temple, which has played extremely well defensively up until its meeting with the Rockets.
Playing without Adonis Thomas, the Rockets did not miss a beat running the football, as Morgan Williams and David Fluellen stepped in admirably for the injured Thomas.
Williams led the way with 121 yards and also scored once, as did Fluellen, who finished with 41 yards on eight totes. Fluellen, who has rushed for only 146 yards on the season will get the start this weekend, but expect to see plenty of Williams as well.
The ability to run the ball with such consistency opened up the passing attack, as Austin Dantin completed 12-of-14 passes for 115 yards and one touchdown. Eric Page, who was held to only four catches for 26 yards added a touchdown pass of his own in the victory.
Dantin has been a terrific leader for this offense and even though he has thrown for just 739 yards he has seven touchdowns against only one interception and that ratio is very important.
Dantin will continue to look in the direction of Page, who is only six receptions away from becoming the all-time school leader in that category. Page, who is also a dangerous kick and punt returner, is currently leading the team with 43 receptions, 468 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
The offense is clearly in mid-season form, but the same could not be said for the defense, at least leading into the matchup against Temple. Toledo is currently allowing 27.0 ppg on the year and the secondary seems to be the weakest link as opponents are throwing for 244.0 ypg and already have 10 touchdowns through the air.
This unit was finally able to show some signs of life this past weekend against Temple, as the Rockets held the Owls to just 173 yards through the air and recorded two interceptions.
What was even more impressive is that the Rockets held Bernard Pierce to only 75 rushing yards. Pierce has been outstanding to start the year, so for Toledo to shut him down has to be confidence boost heading into this matchup against the run-oriented Eagles.
Eastern Michigan will be able to keep this game close for a while, since the team runs early and often, keeping the opposing offense off the field. However, the Rockets will eventually take the lead and when they do EMU will have to divert from its game plan and that is when the Rockets will run away with the matchup.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Toledo 38, Eastern Michigan 20

Where the players come to play and STAY.

Sportsbook & Sports Betting at SBG Global

Sports Contests – Think you know the game?

Sports Information you need to win BIG.
Fatal mistakes that cost the patriots their fourth Super Bowl Championship. Read more...
Arrests have been made in New Jersey in relation to a sports betting operation that took m... Read more...
Sportsbook Directory | Casinos Directory | Poker Room Directory | Racebook Directory | Partners Directory