Richter and Ison restore Toledo's offense in 34-14 win at Eastern Michigan

Toledo answered its eight-point outing against Buffalo by scoring 31 before halftime at Eastern Michigan. John Alan Richter completed 24 of 30 passes for 288 yards, Autavius Ison rushed for 104, and the Rockets won 34-14 on Saturday at Rynearson Stadium.

The result ended Eastern Michigan's unbeaten start in Mid-American Conference play. Toledo improved to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in the league, while the Eagles fell to 4-4 and 3-1. The Rockets' offense produced 480 yards, but their defense also kept a comeback from developing by stopping all four Eastern Michigan fourth-down tries.

The Mid-American Conference’s highlights show Toledo’s scoring drives and defensive pressure:

The opening sequence gave Toledo control of both the scoreboard and field position. Eastern Michigan's first possession ended on downs, and Richter then finished a seven-play, 65-yard drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Adjatay Dabbs. Andrew Zock forced a fumble on the Eagles' next offensive snap, Lucas Lambert-Pipkin recovered it, and Reice Griffith's 30-yard field goal made it 10-0.

CJ Miller pushed the margin to 17-0 with a one-yard touchdown early in the second quarter. When Noah Kim found Joshua Long for a 30-yard score, Toledo answered with another long drive. Ison finished that 81-yard possession with a 13-yard run, restoring the three-score lead. Miller's second touchdown, a three-yard run after an 11-play, 90-yard march, sent the Rockets into halftime ahead 31-7.

Richter threw only six incompletions and no interceptions. Dabbs caught five passes for 66 yards, and Bryson Hammer had five catches for 69. Ison carried 18 times, while Miller supplied the short scoring runs and finished with 48 yards on 13 attempts. Toledo accumulated 192 rushing yards alongside Richter's passing production.

Eastern Michigan had much less room on the ground. The Eagles finished with 34 rushing yards on 28 carries. Kim passed for 214 yards and two touchdowns, including a 12-yard scoring pass to Harold Mack in the third quarter. Long led the receiving group with seven catches for 84 yards, but those gains did not solve the repeated failures on fourth down.

Toledo still gave away substantial yardage through penalties. The Rockets were flagged 14 times for 118 yards, and Eastern Michigan finished with the same 21 first downs as the visitors. The difference was what happened after those first downs: Toledo sustained its scoring possessions, while the Eagles lost two fumbles and repeatedly surrendered the ball on downs.

Griffith added a 29-yard field goal in the third quarter after a muffed punt gave Toledo another short field. Neither team scored in the fourth. The Rockets return home to face Western Michigan on October 24, with kickoff scheduled for noon at the Glass Bowl.