Two freak special teams plays helped Toledo rally late to beat Iowa State, and earn its first win of the 2007 campaign Saturday night at the Glass Bowl.
After the Cyclones’ (1-3) Jamicah Bass scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with five and a half minutes to play to beat Iowa State up 35-24. But Jalen Parmele took the ensuing and short kickoff 82 yards for an amazing touchdown, pulling Toledo within 5, at 35-30. Parmele (16 carries, 74 yards) ran hard all night, but it was his special teams play that instantly brought momentum back to the Rocket sideline.
Toledo botched the extra point attempt, but kicked back to ISU back within striking distance. The Cyclones couldn’t move the ball, and lined up to punt. A short snap to punter Mike Brandtner skidded through the sophomore’s legs, and Brandtner immediately set about trying to pick up the ball. He tapped and juggled the ball backwards to his own goal line, but could never find the handle. Eventually, Toledo’s Greg Hay fell on the ball just across the end line for a Rocket touchdown to give Toledo a 36-35 lead. Aaron Opelt’s two-point conversion pass was unsuccessful.
The Cyclones still had one more chance, and got some help from Toledo before they even touched the ball. Hay’s special teams score set off a wild celebration in the south end zone which drew a 15-yard excessive celebration flag. Kicking off from the 15, the Rockets gave ISU possession at its own 47. The Cyclones converted a couple first downs, but stalled at Toledo’s 21. Bret Culbertson’s 38-yard field goal attempt was blocked with 14 seconds left, sealing the win for the Rockets.
“I’ve never experienced a loss like this,” said Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik. “That’s why I feel so bad for our guys – because they all fought really hard.”
The only place the Cyclones came up short was on the scoreboard. ISU outgained the Rockets, 397-297, posted more passing yards (251-199), more rushing yards (146-98), almost twice as many first downs (22-12), and converted an impressive 12 of 22 third and fourth down conversions.
Toledo drew first blood, getting a 13-yard run from Parmele at the 7:30 mark of the first period. The first drive epitomized Iowa State’s day; after a Brandtner punt pinned the Rockets at their own five, ISU killed themselves with two crucial mishaps. Cyclone CB Allen Bell found himself beat badly while defending a deep Aaron Opelt pass, and committed an obvious pass interference penalty to bring the Rockets out to their own 20. Two plays later, Toledo attempted a reverse to Andrew Hawkins. The Cyclones had Hawkins cornered for a 12 yard loss, but he slipped two tacklers and wiggled his way to the sidelines, where ISU LB James Smith committed a 15-yard facemask penalty. The 27-yard swing on the play gave Toledo first down at their own 42; Parmele scored eight plays later.
The teams traded scores during the first half, with the Cyclones’ JJ Bass (34 carries, 134 yards) tallying a 10-yard TD score at the end of the first. In the second stanza, Opelt scored on a 1-yard sneak before ISU’s Wallace Franklin turned the second catch of his career in to a 5-yard touchdown, tying the game at 14 heading to the locker room.
Toledo’s thrilling win continued a remarkable string of success at their old home, the Glass Bowl. Toledo is now 39-5 in their last 44 at home.
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