Article published November 20, 2009
Rockets seniors hopeful
UT bids for win in final home game
Injured University of Toledo senior quarterback Aaron Opelt wants to see action tonight.
(
THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY
)
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By ZACH SILKA
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
It'll be the last time Aaron Opelt puts on a midnight blue and gold jersey.
The last time for Barry Church to run out onto the field at the Glass Bowl.
The last time Derrick Summers has the opportunity to celebrate a win with his teammates in front of their home crowd.
Tonight can be considered the baccalaureate service for the University of Toledo's 19 seniors. They will be celebrated and honored for their four or five years of commitment to the Rockets, and if all goes well, they'll be able to leave the field as victors over Eastern Michigan.
“Hopefully we come out with a win,” Church said. “It's going to be sad and happy at the same time. I get to play with my teammates and the guys I grew up with these last four years at Toledo and play at the Glass Bowl one last time.”
The Rockets' senior class has never participated in a winning season and has posted a 17-29 record over the last four years, including a current three-game losing streak.
But there's still something to be salvaged.
“We're going to try like heck to make sure that they're winners, and that's the next two football games,” UT coach Tim Beckman said.
“To be a team that'll be known, as we've talked about from Day 1, as trying to start a legacy here.
Winning these next two football games gives them that opportunity to leave with the best record that they've ever had as a football team.”
Beckman said he'll look back fondly on this senior class.
“I think they've done an outstanding job of leading,” Beckman said. “They've beaten a Big 12 team [Colorado] on ESPN, which was a heck of a football game and a heck of a win for them.”
This group has had its share of hiccups as well, however.
“I guess the biggest thing that I've challenged them to be is more consistent,” Beckman said. “To achieve all their goals, but to achieve them consistently.”
A focused, consistent effort will be important tonight, despite the fact that the Rockets will be going against the winless Eagles.
UT has already fallen to a winless team earlier in the season — 31-24 loss at Miami on Oct. 31.
“In this conference, anybody can win,” Beckman said. “That was proven a couple weeks ago [with UT's loss at Miami].”
Eastern Michigan is led by freshman quarterback and Clyde product Alex Gillett, who made his first start of the season last week in the Eagles' 35-14 loss to Western Michigan.
Gillett rushed for a team-high 105 yards on 26 carries and scored on a 4-yard run against the Broncos. He also completed 15 of 26 passes for 186 yards and a 12-yard TD.
“Their offense has kind of changed each week,” Beckman said. “It's been something different each week. You have a lot to prepare for on defense.”
As for UT's quarterback situation, freshman Austin Dantin is expected to start with Opelt still recovering from a partial tear in his right rotator cuff.
Opelt said he still hopes to take at least a few snaps behind center at some point during the game.
“I want to be out there with the seniors,” Opelt said. “It's our last home game.”
Contact Zach Silka at:zsilka@theblade.com.
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