Owens-to-Reedy link time tested

To make good use of time between classes, the duo that comprises University of Toledo's prolific aerial attack slips into the football building to study film.

"Just us two," Bernard Reedy said of sessions involving him and quarterback Terrance Owens.

The bond had by the juniors often manifests on game day, a point that was validated last week when they hooked up twice for 35-yard touchdown strikes in a win at Wyoming. Owens posted 300 yards passing, helping his buddy to his fourth career 100-yard receiving outing.

Statistics that tether the success of Reedy to Owens are staggering. In 15 games dating to the start of the 2011 season:

In last year’s contest at BGSU, UT’s Bernard Reedy (11) amassed 108 yards on a bad ankle. THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Buy This Photo

Reedy has snagged 36 of his 55 catches from Owens, averaging almost 20 yards per grab.

Fourteen of their connections -- 38 percent overall -- have resulted in a gain of 25 yards or more.

Only one of Reedy's 11 touchdown grabs was thrown by someone other than Owens. It came from Austin Dantin in last year's opener.

The next statistic, when told to offensive coordinator Jason Candle, induced a look of disbelief.

The average gain on their 10 touchdowns is an otherworldly 37.6 yards. A 17-yard strike in the Military Bowl is the lone under 20 yards.

"That's a pretty good average," Candle said, purposefully giving an understatement.

Reedy, the Military Bowl MVP, is off to a strong start in his bid to replace Eric Page as the team's primary receiver, snaring twice as many passes -- 15 -- than anyone else. This week, with the rivalry game looming against Bowling Green, evokes memories of the longest hook up between Reedy and Owens. It came in the fourth quarter of last year's affair, with the Rockets facing third down at their own 8. Nursing a seven-point lead, Owens found Reedy for a 59-yard gain. Toledo scored three plays later, widening its lead to 14 with under two minutes to play. Despite running around on a bum ankle, Reedy amassed 108 yards.

"I just think T.O. brings a different aspect to the game when he's in," Reedy said. "You never know what he's looking at, what he's reading. The sky is the limit when T.O. is in. That's the way I feel."

Candle downplayed the link binding the two, saying "I don't read anything into who threw him the ball." Dantin, who did not play last week, averages 11 yards per completion to Reedy.

"When Bernard's on the field, that's a guy the quarterback looks for," Candle said. "He's got the speed to take the ball from point A to point B in a hurry."

FARR OUT: Coach Matt Campbell confirmed defensive tackle Danny Farr (knee) will miss the Bowling Green game. His availability long-term is unknown.

Contact Ryan Autullo at: rautullo@theblade.com, 419-724-6160 or on Twitter @AutulloBlade