Rockets stun Chippewas in final minutes, by the numbers
Central Michigan running back Kobe Lewis stiff arms a Toledo defender in a 24-23 loss Dec. 13 at Glass Bowl Stadium in Toledo, OH.
TOLEDO, Ohio — Central Michigan's football season ended with a heartbreaking loss to Toledo, 24-23, Saturday in the Glass Bowl.
CMU struggled offensively but also showed flashes of brilliance with play-calling abilities of offensive coordinator Charlie Frye and head coach Jim McElwain.
Junior wide receiver Kalil Pimpleton showed his versatility in the wildcat set that CMU had implemented this season. He threw the ball five times and completed three of those passes. He hit senior running back Kobe Lewis for an 18-yard touchdown on the opening drive and redshirt junior Ty Brock for a long completion in the second quarter.
"It was in the game plan, and we came out and executed that," Pimpleton said. "I want to thank the coaches for trusting me and allowing me to go out and make those type of plays and allowing me to show the versatility I have."
In the end, the Rockets were able to find a weakness in the Chippewa defense and squeak out a thrilling victory, dropping CMU to a 3-3 final record.
"I was pretty honest with (the players) in the locker room," McElwain said. "It's unacceptable to have three losses in this league. Those who choose to come back, it's gonna be a pretty good offseason for them."
Here is Saturday's game broken down, by the numbers:
1 - The difference in Saturday's score. The Rockets defeated the Chippewas 24-23.
3 - CMU's season ended at 3-3. Also, Toledo's sophomore quarterback Carter Bradley finished with three touchdowns and three interceptions. CMU also finished 3-of-15 on third down.
4 - Each team had four penalties in Saturday's game. CMU finished with 40 penalty yards while Toledo had just 17 penalty yards. CMU's defense also forced four turnovers but scored just three points off of those turnovers.
13 - The Chippewas scored 13 unanswered points -- all in the third quarter -- to take a 23-17 lead into the fourth.
15 - CMU picked up 15 first downs against Toledo's defense.
25 - Toledo picked up 25 first downs against CMU's defense.
34 - Length of pass from Pimpleton to Brock in the second quarter. The pass set up a field goal from redshirt freshman Marshall Meeder to tie the game at 10.
38 - Days until first team meetings for the Chippewas, signifying the unofficial start of the new season.
64 - Pimpleton's total passing yardage. He completed three of his five attempts.
92 - Brock's passer rating. He was 9-of-19 passing without a touchdown or an interception. He completed his second start as the Chippewa quarterback in relief of redshirt freshman starter Daniel Richardson.
93 - Seconds left when Toledo scored its winning touchdown.
101 - Brock's passing yardage against the Rocket defense. Also, redshirt freshman Lew Nichols led the Chippewa rushing attack with 101 yards.
126 - Toledo's total rushing yardage. Junior running back Bryant Koback led with 123 yards on 24 carries.
133.8 - Carter's passer rating against the Chippewa defense.
165 - CMU's total passing yardage. The Chippewas were 12-of-24 passing combined.
197 - The Chippewas rushed for 197 yards on 42 total carries. Nichols led with 101 yards on 10 carries and scored a 68-yard touchdown.
233.5 - Pimpleton's passer rating.
265 - Total passing yardage for Bradley. He was 18-of-33 passing for 265 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
362 - The Chippewas' total yardage against Toledo.
391 - The Rockets' total yardage against CMU.
4,432 - Days since Central Michigan last won at Toledo. Dan LeFevour was the starting quarterback as a junior when CMU defeated Toledo on Oct. 25, 2008. The final score of the game — 24-23.
