The Eastern Michigan football team’s 52-16 loss to the University of Toledo Friday was Chris Creighton’s 10th loss of the season – finishing his first losing season as a collegiate football coach.
He said that he recognizes that people get “caught up” in a team’s record – something he agreed was important – and believes he’s had losing seasons despite the final record.
“Whenever you don’t reach your full potential I think you feel as though it was a losing season,” Creighton said. “I’ve won championships before and felt that way.”
Reggie Bell started for the Eagles (2-10, 1-7 Mid-American Conference). He completed 8-of-23 passes for 119 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
Bronson Hill rushed six times for 50 yards.
Logan Woodside started for the Rockets (8-4, 7-1 MAC). He was 14-of-18 for 323 yards and five touchdowns.
Michael Julian replaced him and was 2-of-2 for 18 yards.
Kareem Hunt rushed 22 times for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Four of Toledo’s six first half touchdowns came on drives that took less than a minute.
“Toledo’s offense has been extremely effective against everybody they’ve played,” Creighton said.
Toledo opened the scoring with 13:21 to go in the first quarter – a 41-yard pass from Woodside to Corey Jones capping a two play, 42 yard drive in 31 seconds.
The Rockets added to their lead on a 22-yard pass from Woodside to Justin Olack on another two play drive – 32 yards – in less than a minute.
UT scored its third touchdown of the quarter with 1:28 left – an 89-yard pass from Woodside to Kishon Wilcher on the second play of a 91-yard drive that ended in 42 seconds.
Eastern got on the scoreboard with 13:41 remaining in the second quarter on a 9-yard pass from Bell to Kris Strange from nine yards out. Eastern marched 80 yards in five plays, taking 2:42 off the clock.
Toledo added three more touchdowns – a one yard rush from Hunt with 5:53 to go in the half, a 28-yard rush by Damion Jones-Moore with 4:26 to go and a 59-yard pass from Woodside to Alonzo Russell with 1:18 to go – in the half.
Dylan Mulder made a 42-yard field goal at the end of the half for Eastern.
Jeremiah Detmer added to Toledo’s lead with 8:32 to go in the third quarter with a 21-yard field goal. The Rockets went 71 yards in 14 plays, taking 6:28.
Bell found Ryan Brumfield with 4:45 to go in the third quarter – a 34-yard touchdown capping a seven play, 65 yard drive in 3:40.
With 29 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Woodside connected with Michael Roberts from 11 yards out – capping a nine play, 79 yard drive in 4:10.
Despite the loss, Creighton said he was still confident in the team moving forward.
“There’s absolutely no place I’d rather be,” he said. “[I’m] excited about our future.
News and notes
Senior offensive lineman Robert McFadden was carted off the field in the third quarter with an undisclosed left leg injury.
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