Early issues set stage for Miami loss Toledo passing game carries the day ![]() By MIKE SMITH TOLEDO, OH -- Tucker Gleason completed 27 of 38 pass attempts totaling 318 yards with two TDs to lead Toledo (4-1, 1-0 MAC) past Miami (1-4, 0-1 MAC) 30-20 Saturday at the Glass Bowl. It was a rematch of last year's Mid-American Conference title game, as well as a contest fielding the preseason favorites to win a 2024 title. Toledo has looked the part, registering four wins before falling two weeks ago at Western Kentucky. The Rockets had a bye week last week, and came ready to play before a large homecoming crowd. Miami, meanwhile, has struggled against a tough non-conference schedule and needed overtime last Saturday to defeat UMass and pick up its first win of 2024. Coach Chuck Martin noted earlier this week his RedHawks "are pretty beat up right now." Toledo got off to a quick start, scoring two straight touchdowns -- both related to Miami special teams breakdowns. Six plays into its first drive, Miami . . . . . . punted. The 40-yard kick was returned 32 yards, setting up UT at the RedHawks 37. Gleason ran three times and completed three passes as Toledo advanced to the one. Facing fourth-and-one, UT went for the TD with a rush up the middle. RB Connor Walendzak was hit and fumbled, but when the ball bounced out, Gleason picked it up and dove into the endzone. When Toledo forced another punt after three RedHawk plays, Belvelhimer's kick was blocked by Avery Smith. Cooper Rusk recovered at the MU 18, giving the Rockets another short field. Three plays later, Gleason hit Jerjuan Newton with a nine-yard TD strike. Newton would finish the day with eight receptions totaling 127 yards and his early TD. Down 14-0, Miami finally got some traction with its third drive. However, the RedHawks, who have struggled in the redzone this year, ultimately settled for three points. Toledo nearly scored again early in the second stanza, but Corban Hondru stopped the drive with a diving interception at MU's eight-yard line. When the RedHawks failed to get a first down, they were forced to punt. Toledo returned to the redzone, actually reaching the Miami one before being pushed back and settling for a field goal to make it a 17-3 contest. Three plays into MU's next possession, quarterback Brett Gabbert found Reggie Virgil for a 51-yard gain. The RedHawks, however, were foced to boot another field goal. When Toledo hit a 48-yard field goal of its own with five seconds left before intermission, the hosts owned a 20-6 advantage. Dylan Cunanan, who kicked three field goals on the day, put the Rockets up 23-6 with a 47-yarder at 11:20 of the third period. Miami finally responded late in the stanza with its first 2024 TD outside Oxford. Gabbert capped a 12-play drive with a 9-yard swing pass to Kevin Davis. That left the RedHawks down 10 (23-13), but UT quickly countered with its final TD. A Gleason pass to Thomas Zsiros for 25 yards and Connor Walendzak's 32-yard run on the next play highlighted the seven-play drive. Tight end Anthony Torres caught a 1-yard pass for the score. It was his third TD in as many games against MU dating back to last year. It took 15 plays for Miami to score its last TD. Gabbert completed seven passes in the drive, finishing with a quick slant strike to Javon Tracy. Gabbert, whose last pass attempt of the day was intercepted inside the Toledo 10 by Braden Awls, finished the day completing 23 of 46 for a total of 296 yards with two TDs and the one INT. Tracy, meanwhile, led Miami receivers with 10 catches totaling 119 yards and the one score. Neither team cracked 80 yards on the ground, with UT picking up 78 yards rushing (2.1 ypc) and Miami gaining 54 (2.3 ypc). Keyon Mozee led the RedHawks with 11 carries for 40 yards. MORE:
>>> Hondru led Miami defenders with 11 tackles and two interceptions. >>> Toledo did not punt in the first half but punted three times after intermission. Alec Bevelhimer was credited with five punts averaging 45.6 ypc. >>> Virgil and McDonald combined for nine receptions and 130 yards. >>> Toledo had four fumbles but did not lose any of them. >>> The Rockets recorded two sacks and five QB hurries. Miami had one sack and three QB hurries. >>> Miami converted 10 of 18 third downs (0/2 fourth down). Toledo went 5 of 14 on third and 2 of 2 on fourth down conversions. >>> Toledo threw for 226 yards in the first half and 92 in the second. Miami passed for 122 yards before intermission and 174 yards over the final two periods. >>> Dom Dzioban was successful on field goals from 26 and 35 yards. Comments are closed.
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Editor-Publisher Mike SmithMike grew up in Mid-American Conference football and basketball territory and returned there after military service. He has been covering MAC football and men's basketball for much of the last several decades. Archives
February 2025
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