UT notebook: Lauterbur's seen streak from Rockets before

Toledo quarterback Brian Jones looks downfield for Andrew Clarke during the second quarter last night at the Glass Bowl.

The University of Toledo tied a 30-year-old school-record last night with its 17th consecutive home win, a 37-17 victory over Ball State.

The Rockets also won 17 straight in the Glass Bowl from 1969-1972, and the famed 35-0 teams were responsible for 16 of those victories.

Legendary coach Frank Lauterbur logged 11 home wins in 1969 and 1970 before departing for Iowa. His replacement, Jack Murphy, won five games in 1971 and one the next season before the streak ended Oct.7, 1972 with a 19-8 loss to Bowling Green.

Lauterbur, 77, has become a regular fixture in the press box during UT home games. And he was quick to praise the Rockets last night after watching their record-tying victory.

The current streak began Nov. 13, 1999. Tom Amstutz has nine wins during that stretch. Former coach Gary Pinkel won the first eight before heading to Missouri after the 2000 season.

The 17-game win streak is the third-longest in Division I-A.

After playing at Central Florida next Saturday, the Rockets will go for their school-record 18th straight home win Oct. 26 against Miami.

UT's last home loss came on Oct. 30, 1999, a 34-17 setback to Louisiana Tech.

“The longer the streak goes, the harder the wins are to come by,'' Lauterbur said. “It gets harder each game, each year. That's why you have to enjoy it while it lasts.

“Now it would be great if this team could beat the record. This winning streak is a reward to the fans who have helped make the Glass Bowl such a hostile environment. Home games at Toledo have always been that way. You're not supposed to win when you come here.''

KICKING WOES: Southview's Jason Robbins missed his fifth extra point of the season in the fourth quarter, hooking it wide left.

Later in the same quarter, he attempted a field goal for the first time in two games, misfiring wide right from 22 yards before finally connecting on a 27-yarder with 2:25 left.

Toledo passed up two field goal attempts in the first half, opting instead to go for it on fourth down.

For the season, Robbins is 26-for-31 on extra-point attempts (83.9 percent) and 4-for-6 (66.7 percent) on field goal tries.

QUICK HITS: Freshman receiver/kickoff returner Larry Bostic originally committed to play for UT this season. However, the Rockets' rescinded their scholarship offer shortly before February's signing period and he ended up at Ball State. Bostic had six receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown, an eight-yard reception in the second quarter, and five kickoff returns for 129 yards. ... Free safety Demetris Simms from Fremont Ross was carried off the field with a leg injury in the third quarter and did not return.