A good read on how Toledo's coaching staff probably won the game with NIU with some great film study.
From the Akron Beacon Journal:
The University of Toledo football team reaped the benefits of a detailed and thorough scouting job by the coaching staff.
The Rockets (4-3, 2-1) edged Northern Illinois 20-19 last Saturday night in a Mid-American Conference game at the Glass Bowl in Toledo.
Senior safety Barry Church played a major role in the victory when he blocked two kicks, including a last-minute field goal by the Huskies.
''We had studied film against Idaho. Idaho came up the gut and cleared, but their young man just happened not to make the play,'' Toledo coach Tim Beckman said. ''So after film study, we felt we needed to to put our best athlete in position to block it.''
That would be the 6-foot-2, 219-pound Church, who was first-team All-MAC as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Church blocked an extra point in the first quarter, which was important enough given the final margin. But his biggest play came when he blocked a 42-yard field goal by NIU's Mike Salerno with 37 seconds left.
''The last one was a max block, when we brought everybody. He made it through the 'A' gap (over center),'' Beckman said. ''Two interior lineman have to be credited. Mo Hill and D.J. Summers did a great job of getting penetration and clearing the 'A' gap.
''It's a credit to Barry. Barry is definitely a playmaker.''
The Rockets won despite not having one of the MAC's premier quarterbacks, Aaron Opelt (bruised right shoulder), and using their second- and third-string quarterbacks.
Freshman Austin Dantin did most of the work, completing 17-of-24 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown before leaving with a right ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Junior Alex Pettee then came in and completed 2-of-2 passes for 28 yards in a late scoring drive that put the Rockets ahead 20-19.
The Rockets also got outstanding efforts from senior tailback DaJuane Collins (16 carries for 139 yards and two touchdowns) and freshman receiver Eric Page (10 catches for 127 yards).
The UT defense did its part by controlling the vaunted Huskies rushing offense, which was averaging 201.40 yards per game. The Rockets limited NIU to 164 yards and no runs more than 12 yards.
''It was a well-fought football game on both sides,'' Beckman said. ''I can't give enough credit to the seniors here at Toledo and also what the Huskies did. It was just an outstanding football game.''
Opelt, who is second in the MAC in passing, is expected back this Saturday against Temple.
From the Akron Beacon Journal:
The University of Toledo football team reaped the benefits of a detailed and thorough scouting job by the coaching staff.
The Rockets (4-3, 2-1) edged Northern Illinois 20-19 last Saturday night in a Mid-American Conference game at the Glass Bowl in Toledo.
Senior safety Barry Church played a major role in the victory when he blocked two kicks, including a last-minute field goal by the Huskies.
''We had studied film against Idaho. Idaho came up the gut and cleared, but their young man just happened not to make the play,'' Toledo coach Tim Beckman said. ''So after film study, we felt we needed to to put our best athlete in position to block it.''
That would be the 6-foot-2, 219-pound Church, who was first-team All-MAC as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Church blocked an extra point in the first quarter, which was important enough given the final margin. But his biggest play came when he blocked a 42-yard field goal by NIU's Mike Salerno with 37 seconds left.
''The last one was a max block, when we brought everybody. He made it through the 'A' gap (over center),'' Beckman said. ''Two interior lineman have to be credited. Mo Hill and D.J. Summers did a great job of getting penetration and clearing the 'A' gap.
''It's a credit to Barry. Barry is definitely a playmaker.''
The Rockets won despite not having one of the MAC's premier quarterbacks, Aaron Opelt (bruised right shoulder), and using their second- and third-string quarterbacks.
Freshman Austin Dantin did most of the work, completing 17-of-24 passes for 202 yards and one touchdown before leaving with a right ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Junior Alex Pettee then came in and completed 2-of-2 passes for 28 yards in a late scoring drive that put the Rockets ahead 20-19.
The Rockets also got outstanding efforts from senior tailback DaJuane Collins (16 carries for 139 yards and two touchdowns) and freshman receiver Eric Page (10 catches for 127 yards).
The UT defense did its part by controlling the vaunted Huskies rushing offense, which was averaging 201.40 yards per game. The Rockets limited NIU to 164 yards and no runs more than 12 yards.
''It was a well-fought football game on both sides,'' Beckman said. ''I can't give enough credit to the seniors here at Toledo and also what the Huskies did. It was just an outstanding football game.''
Opelt, who is second in the MAC in passing, is expected back this Saturday against Temple.
