2001 Motor City Bowl

The 2001 Motor City Bowl was a post-season college football bowl game part of 2001–02 NCAA football bowl games in which the Toledo Rockets of the MAC defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats of the Conference USA 23–16. It was played on December 29, 2001, at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. This was the last Bowl game that was played in the Pontiac Silverdome.

2001 Motor City Bowl
Cincinnati Bearcats Toledo Rockets
(7–4) (9–2)
C-USA MAC
16 23
Head coach: 
Rick Minter		 Head coach: 
Tom Amstutz
APCoachesBCS
25NRNR
1234 Total
Cincinnati 01303 16
Toledo 301010 23
DateDecember 29, 2001
Season2001
StadiumPontiac Silverdome
LocationPontiac, Michigan
MVPChester Taylor (RB, Toledo)
FavoriteToledo by 4½
Attendance44,164
United States TV coverage
NetworkESPN
AnnouncersPam Ward (Play by Play)
Dean Blevins (Analyst)
Alex Flanagan (Sideline)

Teams

Cincinnati Bearcats
See also: 2001 Cincinnati Bearcats football team

The Bearcats were C-USA runners-up. The Bearcats start the season with a loss to Purdue. They won against Louisiana–Monroe, and also won against Conference USA teams Army, Tulane, UAB, Houston, Connecticut, and Memphis. The Bearcats lost to Louisville, and against East Carolina. They also lost to Miami (OH). The Bearcats had lost its previous Motor City Bowl in 2000.

Toledo Rockets
See also: 2001 Toledo Rockets football team

The Rockets upset Minnesota to start the season. They won against Temple, Navy, and also won against Mid–American Conference teams Central Michigan, Northern Illinois, Ohio, Western Michigan, and Eastern Michigan. The Rockets lost to Ball State, and against rival Bowling Green. The Rockets won the MAC West Division co champion and would end up beating Marshall 41–36 in the 2001 MAC Championship Game. This game marked the first time the Rockets appeared in the Motor City Bowl.

Last couple of minutes

Rockets running back Chester Taylor rushed for a bowl record 190 yards on 31 carries and the game-winning touchdown. Cincinnati got the ball back but Toledo safety Andy Boyd knocked a potentially game-tying pass out of the hands of Ray Jackson in the end zone.[1] Taylor was selected as MVP of the game.[2]

[3][4]

Scoring summary

Source.[5]

Statistics
Statistic Toledo Cincinnati
First Downs2419
Rushes-yards51–32220–13
Passing135283
Att-Comp-Int28–14–147–29–0
Return yards3493
Punts-Avg4–397–49
Fumbles-lost0–01–0
Penalties-yards8–756–48
Time of Possession34:1625:44

References
  1. Musselman, Ron (December 30, 2001). "Defense Rescues UT". Toledo Blade. pp. 1, 4.
  2. Spadafore, Jim (December 30, 2001). "Toledo wins behind Taylor". Detroit News. pp. 1D, 4D.
  3. Lage, Larry (December 30, 2001). "Taylor's rushing revs Rockets to victory at Motor City Bowl". The Daily Item. AP. p. D4.
  4. Fay, John (December 30, 2001). "Near-miracle win eludes Bearcats". Cincinnati Enquirer. pp. C1, C2.
  5. "Game". ESPN.


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