VanDelaySports.com > MAC Football > Letter to the Toledo Blade

Night to Remember

Most fans knew heading into Saturday’s night game that if the Rockets could hold the Cyclones to under 40 points, they could win.

And they sure did.

Toledo’s stunning come-from-behind 36-35 victory over the Iowa State Cyclones ensured that the Midnight Blue and Gold would not start the 2007 season 0-4, a mark that has stood since 1978.

It wasn’t going to happen. With the game on the line late in the fourth quarter, the Rocket defense rose to the challenge and sacked Bret Meyers on a critical third down play that setup the botched punt.

They had finally punched the Cyclones right in the mouth.

One bad snap and the Rockets finally tasted victory.

Saturday night didn’t seem like one of those special games in the Glass Bowl—at least for 55 game minutes. The Cyclones kept moving the ball, chewing up clock, while the Rocket offense sputtered for most of the evening. Nearly abandoning their running game in the second half, it got frustrating watching the offense consistently go three and out. Sophomore quarterback Aaron Opelt was pressured much of the night and continually rushed throws and missed open targets. Despite the 42 yard touchdown pass to Stephen Williams, mostly from his feet, the Rocket signal-caller didn’t look sharp against a defense that really wasn’t that good.

But the fault shouldn’t be placed squarely on his shoulders.

Although fans are growing impatient with the offense, the problems have little to do with the Fremont native. Filling in the shoes of NFL quarterback Bruce Gradkowski is tough enough, but we are beginning to see that the offense would find more success if the play-calling was a bit better.

A lot better.

With two capable 1,000 yard backs in Jalen Parmalee and Dajuane Collins, Toledo seemingly only runs the ball when necessary. John Shannon’s screen-happy offense left little for the imagination. It fooled one defender at times, but it became clear the Cyclones had our offense figured out by the second half.

And we still wouldn’t run the ball. Despite having success in the first half, the team does not trust Parmalee and Collins to carry this offense. There is no reason these guys shouldn’t have 40 plus carries a game combined.

It reminded me of last year’s overtime thriller over Kansas where it finally took a halfback draw play to beat the Jayhawks. This was a game where everyone in the stands was screaming “Run the ball!” throughout much of the second half.

Just please run the ball more.

Now, ranting aside, you have to love the first play of the game where Opelt nearly completed a pass down the Rocket sidelines to Stephen Williams. It was a beautiful call that exposed a potential weakness with the 6-5 Rocket wideout against a 5-11 Cyclone defender. At least they came away with pass interference.

Also, the shovel-like pass to Parmalee and Collins saved drives and set-up touchdowns, especially in the first half. With the defense over-pursuing, this presented an easy first down opportunity. Have to give credit where credit is due.

And a lot of credit needs to find its way to the Rocket defense. Sure, it gave up almost 400 yards of offense. Sure, it had no answer for senior receiver Todd Blythe. Sure, the Cyclones converted over half of their third down conversions. But these freshman and sophomores wouldn’t quit. They battled all night. They preservered and made plays when needed. They grew up a whole bunch on Saturday night.

And they were finally rewarded for their efforts.

From Jalen Parmalee’s electrifying 82 yard kickoff return to the missed field goal at the end of regulation, Saturday night’s win over Iowa State was memorable. But it wasn’t the fact that Toledo beat another BCS opponent or that it was their first victory of the season. It was a night to remember how a group of talented, young athletes finally became a team.

The Big Three

Barry Church, Walter Atkins, and Greg Hay combined for 44 tackles, (5 for a loss) and one sack. But the stats don’t tell the whole story. Hay, an inside linebacker, played one of the safety positions most of the night to help the secondary and did rather well. Atkins had some splendid open-field tackles while Church only accounted for 19 stops including three behind the line of scrimmage.

Yes, Barry Church is apparently a great football player.

Just imagine how good this defense could be with a healthy Nigel Morris, Tyrell Herbert, and Sean Williamson.

Stutz’s Gambling problem

Not the one involving money, but his relentlessness on going for it on fourth down nearly cost him a victory Saturday. Look, we love his aggressive nature, his style of going for the win. But there comes a time when you need to play by the numbers. Toledo had just stopped Iowa State on its previous possession. Just punt the ball and let the defense go back to work. His gambling cost him a touchdown, but luckily not the game.

Attendance Woes

“The Glass Bowl had just 15,219 fans in the stands, making it feel more like a glorified high school playoff game than a college contest.”

That was according to Courtney Linehan, Sports Editor of the Ames Tribune. And for almost the entire game, she was right.

But then Jalen Parmalee decided to take matters into his own hands and the Glass Bowl came to life.

Finally.

Hats-off to the several hundred Cyclone faithful who made the trek from Ames. You were loud, boisterous, annoying, and clearly behind your team. I hope your visit to the Glass City was fun, but I am glad you left it with a bitter taste.

As for the Toledo faithful, some of were the usual great, some of you didn’t know when to cheer, some of you looked like you didn’t want to be there.

But at least you came and we want you to come back. It’s a bit embarrassing when Toledo can’t draw for a Big 12 team even when OSU, Michigan, and Notre Dame are not playing. Apparently, no one got the memo that a football game was going on that night.

Parmalee’s KO Return

Unbefreakinlievable.

That’s all that needs to be said.