Toledo at Eastern Michigan Game Preview

The Toledo Rockets head to Ypsilanti, MI this weekend for their conference opener against Eastern Michigan. After last week's 41-16 loss at Arizona, the Rockets hope to right the ship quickly against an improved Eastern Michigan squad.

Eastern Michigan is coming off of a 4-8 campaign in 2007, which included a 52-28 loss to Toledo at the Glass Bowl. This year the Eagles are 1-1 on the season, defeating Division I FCS opponent Indiana State 52-0 and then losing at Michigan State 42-10.

The Eagles are led by junior quarterback Andy Schmitt and senior running back Terrence Blevins. The duo has led EMU to 31 points per game and 490 yards of total offense per game so far in 2008.

Schmitt has completed 60.5% of his passes for 271 yards and 1 touchdown, while rushing for 39.5 yards per game (5.6 yards per rush) and 2 TD's.

Blevins is averaging 115 yards rushing per game (7.7 yards per rush) and scored 2 touchdowns, while also catching 5 passes for 23 yards.

Defensively the Eagles are led by All-MAC performer Daniel Holtzclaw. The senior linebacker has 17 tackles in two games, with 1.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack. Holtzclaw and senior defensive back Jacob Wyatt lead the Eagles with 17 tackles.

The Eagles defense will try to stop a potent Rocket offense that is looking to improve after having trouble getting in the end zone against Arizona last week.

Junior quarterback Aaron Opelt completed 67.7% of his passes in the opener against Arizona. He was 21 of 31 for 170 yards and 1 touchdown.

Leading the way in the receiving category was junior wide out Stephen Williams with 12 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Morgan Williams and Robin Bailey each caught three passes, while Tom Burzine had 2 receptions and DaJuane Collins had one reception for Toledo.

Junior running back DaJuane Collins led the ground attack with 10 carries for 54 yards (5.4 yards per rush), while redshirt freshman Morgan Williams had 6 carries for 13 yards and true freshman Jake Walker had 6 carries for 11 yards.

Defensively Toledo was led by juniors Barry Church and Lester Richmond, who each had 7 tackles. In all, 26 different Rockets had tackles against Arizona, and true freshman linebacker Damien McIntosh recovered a fumble, Arizona's lone turnover in the game.

Toledo leads the all-time series against Eastern Michigan, 24-11. The Rockets have won seven of the last eight meetings against the Eagles, but their last matchup at Rynearson Stadium in Ypsilanti was the one Eastern Michigan victory.

Eastern Michigan Head Coach Jeff Genyk is 14-34 overall, in this his fifth season as the head coach. Toledo Head Coach Tom Amstutz is 55-33 overall, in this his 8th season as the head coach of the Rockets.

The game is scheduled for a Noon EST start time. It is not on TV, but will be on WSPD 1370 AM in Toledo. The game can be watched live over the Internet on Rocket Vision with a subscription to Rocket Vision. Go to www.utrockets.com for further information on Rocket Vision webcasts.