Revisit how we analyzed Toledo’s win over Duquesne as it unfolded

Here was our quarter-by-quarter analysis as the action unfolded in Thursday’s Toledo football season opener. Team stats can be found at the bottom of the article.

FIRST QUARTER

■ What happened : The night didn’t start well for Toledo.

Before the game even started, the Rockets announced on the injury report that four starters would be out — DL Darius Alexander, CB Andre Fuller, OL Garrett Schwiebert, and K Luke Pawlak.

Then UT had a false start penalty on the first snap of the game.

But the bad news ended soon after that, as the Rockets needed just nine plays and 65 yards to score, never gaining less than five yards on the drive. Junior Vandeross caught a five-yard touchdown pass.

They came back with another TD via an eight-yard run by Jacquez Stuart.

Duquesne got on the board with a four-yard touchdown pass, only possible after the Dukes converted a 3rd-and-17 with a prayer of a 35-yard pass. They also recovered a fumble.

It took Toledo one play to rebuild its two-touchdown advantage. Jerjuan Newton returned the kick 27 yards, then he caught a 54-yard touchdown pass.

■ Analysis : The Rockets looked solid on offense, especially the retooled offensive line. UT averaged nearly six yards per carry, and that included a seven-yard sack.

SECOND QUARTER

■ What happened: There wasn’t as much offense in the second quarter, but there was enough for Toledo, which scored on a Tucker Gleason-to-Anthony Torres pass.

Duquesne gained 109 yards but only had three points to show for it. The Dukes were driving for a touchdown or field goal in the final minute of the first half when Braden Awls intercepted a pass.

■ Analysis: The UT defensive line has been gashed, with Duquesne averaging more than five yards per carry.

THIRD QUARTER

■ What happened: The Rockets quelled any potential Duquesne comeback with two touchdowns — runs by Jacquez Stuart and Willie Shaw III.

■ Analysis: Duquesne only had 32 yards in the third quarter.

FOURTH QUARTER

■ What happened: Toledo closed things out with one more touchdown, with quarterback John Alan Richter completing an 18-yard touchdown pass to Zy’marion Lang.

■ Analysis: The Rockets dominated the game offensively, racking up 446 total yards to Duquesne’s 282. UT also enjoyed a 27-15 advantage in first downs and had zero turnovers to Duquesne’s three.