The UB football team had a brief lead against the only remaining undefeated team in the conference on Saturday, but the Bulls were unable to stay on top as they lost to Toledo University 38-15.
The Bulls led the Rockets 12-10 late in the second quarter before Toledo made it in the end zone with 44 seconds left in the first half, giving the Rockets a lead they easily kept for the rest of the game.
The first quarter was all Toledo (6-1 overall, 4-0 Mid-American Conference), as they jumped out to an early 10-0 lead. Senior Dave Dawson fumbled a punt return, the first time the Bulls touched ball, giving the Rockets possession at the UB 37-yard line. It took Toledo only four plays to score, as they cashed in the end zone on a one-yard, play-action pass from quarterback Bruce Gradkowski.
In the following possession, Toledo scored again as they kicked a short field goal.
The second quarter was a much different story as the Bulls (0-7 overall 0-4 in the MAC) promptly drove 80 yards on 14 plays. The drive ended with a Drew Willy touchdown pass to tight end Chad Upshaw. On the ensuing drive the Bulls sacked Gradkowski for a safety, making the score 10-9.
UB earned a solid field position on its next possession and kicked a field goal to take its first and only lead of the game, with a score of 12-10. The field goal came off the foot of freshman Gerry McGroaty, who would go on to kick a second one late in the game.
In their last drive of the half, Toledo put the ball in the hands of their senior running back Trinity Dawson. The Rockets handed off to Dawson four straight times as he marched down to UB's 13-yard line. Toledo then faked the run to Dawson and hit the wide-open Steve Odom in the end zone for a touchdown, putting them back on top 17-12. The Bulls then ran out the remaining 44 seconds to go into the lockers down by five.
"We went toe to toe 15 rounds with a recognized heavyweight," said head coach Jim Hofher. "The guys stood in there the entire time and kept slugging away."
"I'm really proud of our guys for making plays and trying to learn to play better," Hofher said. "They have become really committed to each other. There is nothing more you can ask of them."
The Bulls received the kick to begin play in the second half. On third and eleven Willy converted for a key first down with a 31-yard pass. Willy's completion put the Bulls in position to score, but McGroaty missed the 47-yard field goal attempt.
On the very next possession, Gradkowski went deep for a Rockets touchdown. Gradkowski connected with Andrew Hawkins for a 70-yard reception, pushing the Rockets' lead to 24-12. The Bulls tried to answer with a touchdown drive of their own but threw an interception at the Toledo five-yard line.
"I thought we had a great game plan coming into today," said quarterback Drew Willy. "My receivers got open and our third-down package this week was really good. Hopefully next week we will be able to punch it in for touchdowns instead of field goals."
After holding Toledo to a three-and-out and forcing the Rockets to punt from their own seven-yard line, UB again started with very good field position at their own 46. After converting a must-have fourth down on the Rockets' 35-yard line, McGroaty notched a 46-yard field goal, making the score 24-15.
The fourth quarter began with the Rockets at their own 45-yard line and they promptly drove the ball into the end zone making the score 31-15 with a little over 14 minutes to go.
The Bulls held the ball for most of the fourth-quarter but could not muster an attack on the Toledo defense. The Rockets put the nail in the coffin with a seven-yard touchdown pass late in the half, securing a final 38-15 victory.
The Bulls will take the field on Saturday in a conference match-up against Ohio University (3-4 overall 2-2 in the MAC). The game is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. and will be held in UB Stadium.
Photo: Courtesy of Matthew Messina, from the RMBERS' Instagram page
