UT Notebook: Molls' play a big factor again

Toledo's Johnie Roberts tackles Western Michigan quarterback Johnie Roberts in last night's game.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - For the second straight week, Danny Molls continued to make plays for the University of Toledo.

The sophomore linebacker was named Mid-American Conference West Division defensive player of the week Monday after an 11-tackle, two-interception performance in a 20-13 victory at Ohio.

Saturday night at Western Michigan, Molls' forced fumble on the Broncos' first drive set up the Rockets' first score.

Molls sacked Western Michigan quarterback Alex Carder on third down and in the process poked the ball loose, setting up a mad scramble. It was eventually recovered by UT safety Jermaine Robinson at the Broncos' 30-yard line and gave the Rockets a wave of momentum they rode all the way through the entire first half.

Six plays after Molls' forced fumble, the Rockets took a 7-0 lead with 10:16 left in the first quarter on Austin Dantin's nine-yard pass to Eric Page.

Molls finished with three tackles in the first half.

FLUELLEN FEATURED: Despite not starting, UT freshman running back David Fluellen saw extensive action in the first half.

Fluellen had six carries, second only to Dantin, for a net 33 yards in the first two quarters.

The 6-0, 200-pound native of Lockport, N.Y., has steadily been given more of a role in the offense since his debut against Arizona.

Against the Wildcats, Fluellen had just one carry and last week at Ohio he posted three rushes.

Fluellen ripped off a 23-yard run on the first play of a drive midway through the second quarter Saturday night, and later added a six-yard run that gave the Rockets the ball at the WMU 12-yard line. Two plays later, Dantin punched in a two-yard run that gave UT a 21-7 advantage.

Junior running back Adonis Thomas got the start for the Rockets, but he tallied just two carries for one yard in the first half. Junior Morgan Williams, the No. 2 running back on UT's depth chart this week, had just one carry for two yards.

Dantin proved to be the most effective rusher, carrying eight times for a net 40 yards. He was sacked once for a loss of eight yards.

NUNEZ STREAK: Western Michigan senior wide receiver Juan Nunez extended his reception streak to 23 games in the second quarter on a three-yard pass from Carder.

Nunez has been an All-MAC third-team honoree the past two seasons after leading the Broncos with six TD catches in just six games last season.

Nunez posted four catches for 29 yards in the second quarter Saturday night.

DJ BOOTH: Western Michigan left guard Phil Swanson's talents extend off the football field.

Swanson hosts his own late night radio show on WIDR-FM on campus, and his on-air name is "DJ Heavy Set."

The 6-4, 312-pound fifth year senior from Grand Haven, Mich., has started 39 of 40 career games for the Broncos.

TEAM CAPTAINS: Saturday's team captains for UT were junior left tackle Mike VanDerMeulen, junior safety Isaiah Ballard, sophomore safety Sam Gaymon, and sophomore linebacker Danny Molls.

The Rockets' captains are decided on a game-by-game basis to reward hard work and dedication from the previous week in practice.