Film study pays off for Rockets

Film study paid big dividends for Toledo, helping lead to two kick blocks that keyed the Rockets 20-19 upset win over Northern Illinois Saturday night.

Barry Church, a 6-foot-2 senior safety blocked a Mike Salerno extra-point kick after the Huskies' first touchdown and then blocked his 42-yard game-winning field goal attempt with 37 seconds left in the game.

Toledo coach Tim Beckman said his staff noted that Idaho had used a "middle block" to almost block a Northern kick.

"We felt we needed to put our best athlete in position to block one," said Beckman. "Church had been pulling out and covering, so I think the first one caught them off guard. The last one was just a max block where we had to bring everybody becasue (of the situation).

"(Church) made it through the A gap again and it was an outstanding play. The two interior linemen, Maurice Hill and D.J. Summers, did a great job of getting penetration to clear up those A gaps."

Northern coach Jerry Kill said the Rockets just made a good play.

"(Salerno) and I talked about it and we wish we'd have gotten the ball up a little bit more," said Kill. "We had a good snap, hold and they just made a good play. Mike's confidence is fine, though, that's just part of that position."

Northern senior defensive end Brandon Bice (Lyons Township) was named Mid-American Conference West Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in the game.

Bice had eight tackles, including a sack, and forced two fumbles that the Huskies recovered for two of their three turnovers.