Woodside Steps Up Big in Rocket Victory

True freshman, Logan Woodside stepped up big after
senior leader, Terrance Owens went out early in
Saturday's game with a leg injury.
Photo Courtesy: The Toledo Blade

When true freshman quarterback, Logan Woodside won the backup job behind senior Terrance Owens, he probably figured on not seeing much of the field during the season. Owens returned for his senior year after a dominant junior campaign last season throwing for 2,699 yards and 14 touchdowns. However, late in the third quarter Woodside was called into action after Owens rushed for seven yards and was crushed by Eastern Washington's Tevin McDonald and Ronnie Hamlin. Owens then rolled over onto his stomach and had to be carted off the field, but did return later in the game in sweatpants and crutches.

So in went Woodside, a true freshman from Frankfort, Kentucky who graduated early and joined the team in January. A star high school quarterback in high school, Woodside threw for 41 touchdowns as a senior and only lost three games in his high school career. In his first few possessions, Woodside looked flustered as the Eagles pass rush came at him. However, as the game went on and the protection got better, so did Woodside.

Late in the third quarter, Woodside fired a dart into the hands of senior Bernard Reedy who took it 81 yards for the touchdown to give Toledo a 30-21 lead. From there, the Rocket defense took over. After the Eagles scored 49 points against No. 25 Oregon State in week one, Eastern Washington proved they could put points on the board. However, after the first quarter, the Toledo defense pretty much shut down everything the Eagles were doing offensively. Vernon Adams, the Eagles' dual-threat quarterback was shut down by the young Rocket defense, rushing for only two yards on the night.

Defensively, Junior Sylvestre led the way for the Rockets with seven tackles, forced a fumble, and recorded an interception. On offense, Logan Woodside finished 14-of-24 for 185 yards and the touchdown pass. Senior wide receiver, Bernard Reedy also had a breakout game with five catches for 112 yards and the 81-yard touchdown reception to help give the Rockets their first victory of the season, 33-21.




Questions or comments: Contact Zach Harig (@ZHarig23 on Twitter)