First, the game story on a truly astounding third quarter and the sidebar on Toledo's receivers blocking downfield.
Other stuff:
-"Embarrassing" is an overused and often unfair term used in sports, but it applies to Toledo's defensive performance. For the second time this year - Arizona being the other - the Rockets were shredded for 624 yards. This is inexcusable regardless of the opponent, let alone one that ranked No. 120 in offense entering the day and had not scored 20 points since the opener. Unforgivable. It's back to square one for this unit. The defensive line has struggled amid the losses of three starters. Getting Danny Farr back (perhaps this week) should help, but one guy can only do so much.
-David Fluellen has posted 100-yard outings in the past three games and four times this season. With Cassius McDowell hurt (the extent of his injury is unknown), Fluellen's role could increase even more. David Pasquale and Damion Jones-Moore (currently in redshirt) could fill-in, but my guess is we'll see a whole lot of Fluellen if McDowell is out.
-A key moment in the game came at the end of the first half when Eastern Michigan was penalized for false start on fourth-and-2 at midfield and then punted. With even a field goal the Eagles would have made it a one-possession game heading into halftime. Another key moment came immediately after. After Terrance Owens hit Bernard Reedy for 40 yards the two hooked up again for 32 yards before Reedy slipped and fell at the 13 on what would have been a touchdown. Owens threw an interception on the next play trying to force a ball to Alonzo Russell at the back of the end zone.
-Some stats: Owens' 401 passing yards are a career-high, and Reedy's 407 all-purpose yards are a school record. ... EMU was 3-for-3 on red zone chances, this coming after CMU was 4-for-4 last week. ... Dan Molls recorded 18 tackles - one fewer than his career high - upping his national lead to 89. He also picked off a pass on the first play of the game. ... Jeremiah Detmer has made a field goal in every game and is 13 of 18 on the season. His consistency inside 35 yards cannot be understated. ... Toledo's 91-yard TD drive in the second quarter was its third this season of 90 yards or more.
-Against Coastal Carolina, Central Michigan, and Eastern Michigan, Toledo seemingly played down to the level of its competitor. Will the Rockets raise their game Saturday against what looks to be a superior opponent in Cincinnati? They better, otherwise it will be a long night.
-Speaking of the Bearcats, they are one of three FBS teams from Ohio still unbeaten. The Buckeyes and Bobcats are the others. That doesn't take into account two one-loss teams in Toledo and Kent State. This has been a banner year in the state. Bowling Green deserves recognition too. The Falcons should be 6-3 in two weeks after knocking off winless teams Massachusetts and Eastern Michigan.
-Any doubt that Toledo and Northern Illinois will be playing for the West title on Nov. 14 in DeKalbdissolved Saturday when Ball State beat Western Michigan in overtime. A few weeks ago the West looked mighty, and now every team save for UT and NIU has two or three losses.
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