Weakened Dantin has big day for UT

David Fluellen gets a lift from teammate John Morookian after scoring on a 29-yard pass play for the Rockets.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- The Toledo Rockets didn't know if they'd have the services of junior quarterback Austin Dantin for yesterday's game against Syracuse after he was up all night battling the flu.

Dantin was listed as "questionable" before the game, but as it turned out, he managed to play and led the Rockets on all six of their scoring drives.

"Austin Dantin was throwing up all night," UT coach Tim Beckman said. "He's still sick. I think he's over there getting sick right now. He willed himself to try to get us the win, and I think that speaks a lot about the character of Austin Dantin."

Dantin was 22-of-32 passing for 258 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He played in all but two of the Rockets' possessions after sophomore backup Terrance Owens "tweaked" his back sometime during the first quarter.

Owens finished 6-of-10 passing for 42 yards.

"Austin stayed in the football game," Beckman said. "I think that shows what kind of young man Austin Dantin is. He fought until the end."

Dantin was administered intravenous fluids before the game and again at halftime to help him get through the day.

"Right now, I'm just exhausted," Dantin said. "It was a rough night."

COACH TO CURE MD: Both coaching staffs wore special arm patches on their shirts to raise awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy as part of the "Coach to Cure MD" partnership between the American Football Coaches Association and Parent Project MD.

The program will top $1 million in donations this season to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is the most common fatal childhood genetic disorder that causes loss of muscle function and independence.

Fans are encouraged to donate $5 by texting the word CURE to 90999 or visiting CoachtoCureMD.org.

QUOTABLE: Syracuse coach Doug Marrone on UT junior receiver and Springfield graduate Eric Page, who posted a career-high 158 receiving yards on 13 catches: "I don't think you can ever stop a player like Page. He's a talented kid. We tried to contain him, and he did a nice job."

GAME CAPTAINS: Serving as team captains for UT were senior offensive lineman John Morookian, senior defensive lineman Malcolm Riley, senior running back Adonis Thomas, and freshman offensive lineman Greg Mancz.

POOCH PUNTS: Freshman kicker Jeremiah Detmer booted a 52-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to tie the game at 13. It was his first career attempt and the second-longest field goal in school history. Todd France holds the record with his 55-yard field goal against Western Michigan during the 2001 season. ... The Rockets fell to 4-3 all-time in overtime contests. Their last extra-session affair occurred in 2008 in a 55-54 home loss to Fresno State. ... Indoor environments have not been kind to UT. The Rockets are now 2-7 all-time in domed stadiums. ... UT opened the contest with a season-high 22-play scoring drive that lasted 10:34, capped by Ryan Casano's 20-yard field goal. ... Junior Byron Best got his first start of the season at the "star" -- a linebacker/safety hybrid -- in place of injured senior Charles Rancifer.