Rockets draw TV crowd

9/21/2011

The University of Toledo's football game against No. 4 Boise State last Friday night at the Glass Bowl was the most-viewed program on cable TV that day, according to Nielsen TV ratings.

The contest drew a 2.2 rating, which translates to more than 2.7 million viewers -- believed to be the most ever for a UT sporting event.

The TV rating was one of a few notable firsts surrounding the game witht the Broncos.

A crowd of 28,905 was on hand for the first sell-out of the Glass Bowl since 2004, and the UT sports information office issued a record 236 credentials for the game.

HAWKINS SIGNED: The Cincinnati Bengals yesterday signed former UT wide receiver Andrew Hawkins off their practice squad after placing Jordan Shipley on injured reserve with a torn ACL.

Hawkins played for the Rockets from 2004-07 and later gained fame as the runner-up on Spike's "4th and Long," a reality TV series filmed in 2009 and hosted by former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin that pitted NFL hopefuls against each other with the winner earning a spot at Cowboys' training camp.

Hawkins caught one pass for 15 yards in three preseason games, while also contributing on special teams, for the Bengals this year after being claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Rams.

For the past two seasons, Hawkins played for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League and helped lead his team to back-to-back Grey Cup championships.

BALLARD TO FINDLAY: Former UT safety and Rogers graduate Isaiah Ballard, who was kicked off the team in May after being charged with felonious assault stemming from an off-campus altercation, has resurfaced at the University of Findlay.

In three games for the Oilers this season, Ballard has 11 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble.

UT coach Tim Beckman graduated from Findlay in 1988 and his son, Tyler, is a sophomore linebacker for the Oilers.

NEW RECRUIT: The Rockets received a nonbinding verbal commitment last night from Pittsburgh Central Catholic cornerback Juwan Haynes.

Haynes (6-1, 175) is the Rockets' 12th commitment for the 2012 recruiting class.

Per NCAA rules, coach Tim Beckman is not permitted to comment on any incoming recruits until they sign a national letter of intent.

-- Zach Silka