The Toledo Rockets brought home a 37-10 victory over Central Michigan in the Glass Bowl on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Junior quarterback Tucker Gleason threw for 136 yards, including one touchdown while rushing for two of his own. Freshman placekicker Dylan Cunanan made three field goals for the second time this season.
The victory keeps Toledo (7-3, 4-2 MAC) in the hunt for its third consecutive MAC Championship Game appearance. The Rockets are tied with Western Michigan and Buffalo for fourth place.
On Toledo's first possession of the game, the Rockets moved 71 yards in ten plays to take a 7-3 lead when Gleason rushed for a nine-yard touchdown.
Toledo increased their lead to 10-3 on the first possession of the quarter with a 30-yard field goal by Dylan Cunanan.
Gleason gained 32 and 30 yards, the second of which was good for his second touchdown of the game, increasing the Rocket's lead to 17-3 with 4:48 left in the half on a 75-yards-in seven-play drive.
Toledo scored ten points in the final thirty seconds of the first half on a pick-six by junior defensive back Nasir Bowers and a 32-yard field goal by Cunanan, giving the Rockets a 27-3 advantage heading into the locker room.
Toledo increased the lead to 34-3 on a 27-yard touchdown catch by freshman wide receiver Zy'Marion Lang, who kept one foot in bounds along the edge of the end zone.
Toledo tacked on three more points on a 40-yard field goal by Cunanan with 9:57 left in the game. Central Michigan scored their lone touchdown on a 70-yard drive with 1:28 remaining.
Gleason completed 13-of-23 passes for a total of 123 yards and rushed for a total of 66 more. Senior Jacquez Stuart rushed for a season-high 65 yards, the most since the 2023 Arizona Bowl vs. Wyoming. Senior wide receiver Jerjuan Newton led the Rockets with three receptions.
The Rocket's defense was dominant, forcing five turnovers (three fumble recoveries, two interceptions) and holding the Chippewas to 236 yards of total offence. Senior linebacker Dan Bolden led the Rockets with nine tackles. Sophomore safety Braden Awls had six tackles, while senior defensive tackle Cavon Butler and senior safety Maxen Hook each had five. Junior defensive end Anthony Dunn Jr. had a career-best 3.5 tackles for loss.
"I'm proud of our football team for getting the win tonight," said Head Coach Jason Candle. "Really good job by our defense creating turnovers. I thought the tale of the game was getting turnovers and capitalizing for points. We did a good job capitalizing on our red zone opportunities as well. We also ran the ball well, especially in the first half, and have found some good balance there the last couple of weeks, supplemented by Tucker Gleason."
The Rockets are back in Savage Arena to host Ohio University Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. in the last home game of the season.
