The Rockets pitched a shutout on a Wednesday night at the Glass Bowl — and now the biggest week of the season is here.

Toledo blanked UMass 24-0 on Wednesday night, Nov. 11, in front of 19,137 fans, with all 24 points coming before halftime. Connor Walendzak broke loose for a 69-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter — capping a 90-yard drive — in his first action this month after missing time with an undisclosed injury. Nicholas Thompson followed with a 62-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the second quarter, picking off Logan Inagawa, and the Rockets never looked back.

UMass never reached the red zone. Starting quarterback Pop Watson left the game early with an injury, and Toledo’s defense held the Minutemen to 188 total yards while the Rockets piled up 436.

The win moves Toledo to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in the MAC, still tied atop the conference with Western Michigan, Buffalo and Ohio. And now comes the one circled on every calendar in northwest Ohio: Bowling Green, Friday, Nov. 20, in the Battle of I-75. Toledo and Bowling Green are already facing off off the field, too — the two schools are running a food drive ahead of the rivalry game.

UMass falls to 5-5 overall and 2-4 in the MAC. The Minutemen need wins over Akron and at Bowling Green to reach bowl eligibility.

Sources: AP · UMass Athletics

Photo: The Glass Bowl in Toledo — Wikimedia Commons