Rockets Fall to Arizona

The University of Toledo opened the 2008 football season Saturday night in Tucson, AZ against the Arizona Wildcats of the PAC-10 Conference.

Arizona proved to be too much for the Rockets, as Toledo dropped a 41-16 setback to the Wildcats. Toledo had trouble getting in the end zone in the first half, settling for two field goals despite having a first and goal at the Arizona one yard line on one possession. Arizona led 24-6 at halftime.

Toledo cut the lead to 34-16 early in the 4th quarter when junior wide receiver Stephen Williams caught a five yard touchdown pass from Aaron Opelt.

Arizona then missed a 45 yard field goal, but Toledo could not move the ball and was forced to punt it back to Arizona.

The Wildcats then put the game out of reach though by taking nearly four minutes off the clock and scoring with 3:47 left to make the score 41-16.

Stephen Williams led the Rockets with 13 catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Junior running back DaJuane Collins was the leading rusher with 55 yards on 9 carries, 6.1 yards per rush. Redshirt freshman Morgan Williams made his Rocket debut with 7 rushes for 15 yards. He also returned five kicks for 97 yards, averaging 19.4 yards per kick return.

QB Aaron Opelt was 21 of 31 for 175 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He was sacked one time.

Junior kicker Alex Steigerwald was three for three on field goal attempts. He made kicks from 20, 35, and 21 yards out.

Toledo will play their first conference game of the season next Saturday when they travel to Eastern Michigan for a Noon start.