Michigan, down 13-10 to Toledo with four seconds left in the game, set up for a routine 26-yard field goal ' just a chip shot. Still, the Wolverines had a lot on the line: a shot at overtime to save Michigan's flawless 24-0 record against Mid-American Conference schools.
Michigan's kicker K.C. Lopata missed the potential game-tying attempt wide left and then watched the Rockets celebrate in the Big House.
Toledo's athletics Web site called it the greatest upset victory in Rocket football history. Meanwhile, Rich Rodriguez and the 2-4 Wolverines felt the weight of the loss and are off to their worst start since 1967.
I'm just extremely disappointed and embarrassed
Rodriguez told the Associated Press.
Toledo (2-4, 1-1 MAC) jumped on the board in the first quarter with Tyrrell Herbert's 100-yard interception return ' the longest interception in Michigan Stadium history. Herbert finished the game with another pick, earning him MAC West Division defensive player of the week honors.
Alex Steigerwald's career-long, 48-yard field goal with 11:46 left in the fourth quarter gave the Rockets their 13-10 edge. The ball clanged off the field goal post and took a Toledo bounce through the uprights.
The ball skipped twice before it got to Aaron (Opelt) said Steigerwald, who was named the conference's special teams player of the week. He just got it down when I got there. I kicked it and saw it go up and I was hoping it would make it. It hit the crossbar and went in and it was like
'Wow.'
Toledo's defense came to play against the former pride of the Big Ten with three forced turnovers to Michigan's one, and the Rockets held Michigan to only 290 yards of total offense.
Toledo wide receiver Nick Moore had 20 receptions, the most catches a Michigan defense has ever allowed, for 162 yards.-
Toledo coach Tom Amstutz said.-
when things aren't going great
you have to battle.Ball State moves up in rankings
Ball State (7-0, 3-0 MAC) moved up to No. 24 in the Associated Press poll with its 24-7 win over Western Kentucky. The Cardinals remained at No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches' poll.
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Robert Doll
