Broncos Torpedoed By the Rockets

The Western Michigan University Broncos were back in action Saturday night after having two weeks to rest up and prepare for their game against the Toledo Rockets. The Broncos were a bit banged up following their 41-14 loss to the Ball State Cardinals on September 25. In Saturday’s contest the Broncos lit up the scoreboard for 92 combined points. However the Broncos were on the wrong end of the 59-33 final score that saw most of the 17,421 fans in attendance leave at halftime.

“I’m really at a loss for words regarding tonight’s game,” commented Head Coach Gary Darnell following the game. “It was a bad night for us and became tragic defensively.” Defensively the Broncos surrendered 649 total yards (350 rushing, 299 passing) the most ever given up in school history. Toledo recorded 8 touchdowns (5 rushing, 3 passing) and one field goal. Trinity Dawson (158 yards), Scooter McDougle (62 yards) and Jalen Parmele (60 yards) all ran for more yards than the Broncos (34 yards) did as a team. Bruce Gradkowski added another 32 yards and Quinton Broussard ran for 29 yards. Dawson and McDougle recorded 2 rushing touchdowns each.

“We have been working hard on the running game and tonight the offensive line did a good job of matching up and creating some nice holes,” said Rockets Head Coach Tom Amstutz. When the Rockets were able to get the running game going their passing attack took off and was led by Gradkowski at quarterback. Gradkowski spread the ball around but Lance Moore turned out to be his favorite target catching 7 passes for 114 yards and recording all three of the Rockets passing touchdowns.

Offensively for the Broncos the passing attack was a bright spot. Ryan Cubit was able to drive the Broncos down the field early on and actually helped lead the Broncos to an early 10-3 lead which saw Robert Menchinger kick a career long 42-yard field goal. But the Broncos offense couldn’t keep up with the Rockets offense. “We just couldn’t stop them,” said Coach Darnell. “Add to that the five turnovers on offense and it was a bad combination. I felt reasonably well about the offense tonight but there were at least six or seven times that we plain stopped ourselves.”

Cubit finished the game completing 16 of 30 passes for 266 yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. However the offensive line did a good job of pass protection by not allowing the Rockets to record a sack against Cubit or Blayne Baggett. Four of Cubit’s passes found Greg Jennings who recorded 129 yards and 2 touchdowns for giving him 18 career touchdowns and his seventh 100-yards receiving game.

The 59 points the Broncos gave up to the Rockets were the most points the Rockets have ever scored against the Broncos. “Tonight we were able to control the ball,” remarked Coach Amstutz. “Things really seemed to be going our way.

Next week the Broncos return to Waldo Stadium to take on cross state rival Eastern Michigan University for Homecoming 2004. The Eagles will come in with a 2-4 record (2-1 MAC) following their 31-24 win over the Ball State Cardinals.