With today's setback, Toledo dropped its fourth-straight season-opening contest. The Rockets' last season-opening victory occurred against Western Illinois, 62-14, on Sept. 1, 2005.

Today's loss drops UT to 5-13 all-time against Big Ten schools, including 4-5 in its last nine games.

A total of 12 freshmen or redshirt freshmen (Robert Bell, Julian Bellinger, Byron Best, Jimmy Davidson, Danny Farr,T.J. Fatinikun, Sam Gaymon, Dan Molls, Eric Page, David Pasquale, Jermaine Robinson, Daxton Swanson) saw action against Purdue in today's season opener.

Sophomore P Bill Claus, senior RB DaJuane Collins, junior DE Alex Johnson and sophomore DE Malcolm Riley served as the game captains.

Senior QB Aaron Opelt finished 41-of-67 for 423 yards and three touchdowns. Opelt's 67 attempts is a single-season school record, while his 41 completions are the second-most in UT annals and the 423 yards rank fourth-most. Opelt also moved up in UT's career rankings with today's performance and now sits fourth in completions (512) and fifth in attempts (880).   

As a team, the Rockets finished with 423 yards passing, fifth-most in school history in a single game.

Senior WR Stephen Williams tied his career high with 15 catches for a career-best 185 yards and two touchdowns. This was Williams' fourth-collegiate game with double-digit receptions and his ninth-career contest with at least 100-yards receiving. His catch total also tied for the third-most in UT history in a single game, while his yardage ranks fourth-best in the record book. With today's performance, Williams moves into third place in school history with 2,222 career yards receiving and tied for fourth in career TD catches with 18.

Senior WR Robin Bailey hauled in a career-high six catches for 65 yards. Bailey's previous-best effort was five catches for 41 yards vs. Florida International on Sept. 27, 2008.

Freshman WR Eric Page reeled in a Toledo freshman record 12 catches for 128 yards and one score, including a 34-yard TD reception in the second quarter.

Today's outstanding receiving performances by Stephen Williams and Eric Page marked the first time the Rockets had two receivers top the century mark since Nov. 3, 2007 against Eastern Michigan. On that date, Stephen Williams finished with 150 yards and Nick Moore had 119 yards receiving.

Junior DE Douglas Westbrook recorded his first collegiate interceptions, picking off a pass in the second and third quarters. The last time a Rocket player intercepted more than one pass in a single game occurred on Oct. 11, 2008 when Tyrrell Herbert had a pair pickoffs at Michigan.

Senior PK Alex Steigerwald tied his career long with a 48-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. Steigerwald also booted a 48-yard field goal at Michigan on Oct. 11, 2008.

The Rockets held a commanding 91-67 edge in total plays and a 33:25-26:35 edge in time of possession.

Toledo was a respectable 10-of-19 converting third downs and 2-of-3 in red-zone scoring chances.

Purdue PK Carson Wiggs booted a 59-yard field goal at the end of the first half, the second-longest conversion allowed by the Rockets in school history. The record is held by Bowling Green's Derek Schorejs, who kicked a 60 yarder on Oct. 21, 1995.