Toledo senior quarterback Bruce Gradkowski had been in pressure situations like this before.

He led his team to the 4-yard line with four seconds left, but instead of spiking the ball and running another play, Gradkowski chose to hurry up and go for the win.

He took the snap and was pressured into throwing a pass too high for freshman wide receiver Nick Moore.

Moore couldn't hang on and Central Michigan University upset Toledo 21-17 at Kelly/Shorts stadium Saturday.

“We had time to spike it, but I called a play instead. I had confidence that we could make that last play,” Gradkowski said. “Football is a game of inches. If I throw a better ball, the game's over the other way.

“To be in those situations late in the game is what I dream about, but today I just didn't get it done.”

The main reason Gradkowski and UT couldn't get it done was the play of CMU's defense.

The defense held the Mid-American Conference's highest scoring offense to its second lowest output of the season and kept the Rockets running game in check the entire game.

“(The defense) put forth a hard, gritty and tough effort today,” said CMU coach Brian Kelly. “They showed resolve, which said a lot about their mental toughness.”

CMU (5-3, 4-1 MAC) had a chance to put the game away late in the fourth quarter. It was faced with fourth-and-one at midfield with 1:39 left and UT was out of timeouts.

Instead of pinning the Rockets deep in their own territory by punting, Kelly opted to go for it.

Senior quarterback Kent Smith was stopped for a loss, and UT took over at the 50-yard line.

From there Gradkowski led his team to the 4-yard line before throwing the errant pass, preserving a CMU win.

“Well, I should have punted,” Kelly said. “But we wanted to put the ballgame away right there _” we didn't want to give Gradkowski, a fifth year experienced senior, one last chance to win.”

Central scored first when Smith tossed a 17-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Damien Linson with 2:19 remaining in the first quarter. It was the only first quarter touchdown UT allowed all season.

The Rockets (6-2, 4-1 MAC) quickly responded on their ensuing drive, with Gradkowski throwing a 7-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Anthony Hawkins Gradkowski added another touchdown, this one an 18-yard pass to Moore to put UT up 14-7 at the half.

Gradkowski finished the afternoon 28-of-45 for 262 yards. He was sacked twice by sophomore De’Onte Burnham and junior Dan Bazuin.

Bazuin's nine sacks this season ties a single-season school record, set by Joe Adam in 1999.

“We had a great game plan in position to face (Toledo's) good offense,” said senior safety Marlin Maxwell. “We shut them down, not wanting to give an inch.”

The Chippewas marched 49 yards in seven plays to open the third quarter, scoring on a one-yard Smith touchdown run.

He threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Justin Harper in the fourth quarter, capping off a 15-play, 73-yard drive.

UT senior kicker Jason Robbins added a 32-yard field goal with 4:34 left to finish the scoring.

The Rockets were 0-4 on fourth down attempts, including three crucial stops on fourth and short.

“We stopped them (on fourth down) because they gave us exactly what we expected,” Burnham said.”

CMU is now tied with the Rockets for first place in the MAC West. CMU would hold a tiebreaker, however, because of its head-to-head win. It controls its own destiny in the conference. If it wins its next three MAC West games, the Chippewas will make the MAC Championship game for the first time ever.

“It was a great win,” Kelly said. “But it won't mean anything if we don't come out and beat Northern Illinois next week.”

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