Toledo wide receiver Diontae Johnson (3) catches the ball for a touchdown past Akron defensive back Denzel Butler (13) during the second quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. Toledo retained possession of the ball. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
The Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) - Logan Woodside threw four touchdown passes and Terry Swanson rushed for 180 yards and two scores as Toledo defeated Akron 45-28 in the Mid-American Conference championship game Saturday at Ford Field.
Receivers Diontae Johnson (118 yards) and Jon'Vea Johnson (103) combined for 221 yards and three touchdowns for Toledo (11-2), which won its third conference championship game and first since 2004.
"When you have offensive balance, not just with the run and the pass, but two receivers getting the ball and making plays, you are going to be tough to stop," Toledo coach Jason Candle said. "We have great players, and it is our job to find ways to get them all involved."
Akron (7-6) forced five turnovers but couldn't overcome a lopsided first half in their second loss to Toledo (11-2) this season.
Woodside threw three touchdown passes in the first half, two to Diontae Johnson, as the Rockets took a 28-0 lead. Swanson rushed for 61 yards and another score as Toledo outgained Akron 326-98 in the half.
Akron trailed 38-0 before Manny Morgan's rushing touchdown with 30 seconds left in the third quarter. The Rockets finished with a 561-396 edge in yardage.
"They played a little softer in the second half, because they knew they were so far ahead," Akron coach Terry Bowden said. "Our guys played as hard as they could, and we got some quick scores late, but Toledo still won by a good margin."
THE TAKEAWAY
Akron: The Zips won a weak MAC East division, but Saturday's result wasn't a surprise. Akron lost 48-21 when they played the Rockets in Toledo on Oct. 22, giving up 626 yards of offense, and couldn't slow them down Saturday on an NFL field.
Toledo: The Rockets were dominant on Saturday, and they've scored 148 points in their past three games, but they can't afford five turnovers in their bowl game.
UP NEXT
Akron: The Zips will learn in the next 24 hours where they will be headed for the third bowl game in school history. They played in the 2005 Motor City Bowl and 2015 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.
Toledo: Along with the conference championship, the Rockets will play in a bowl game for the fourth straight season and the seventh time in eight years.
Toledo running back Terry Swanson (2) fumbles the ball short of the goal line during the third quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game against the Akron, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. Akron recovered the ball for a touchback. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Akron running back Manny Morgan (9) runs for a touchdown against Toledo during the third quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Akron cornerback Kyron Brown (4) recovers a fumble for a touchback as he is tackled by Toledo tight end Reggie Gilliam (14) during the third quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Akron head coach Terry Bowden argues a call with a referee during the third quarter against Toledo in the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Akron linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (5) intercepts the ball and runs it back for a short gain against Toledo during the second quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. Toledo retained possession of the ball. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Toledo head coach Jason Candle watches his team play against Akron during the first quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Toledo wide receiver Diontae Johnson (3) fumbles the ball as he is tackled by Akron linebacker John Lako (40) during the second quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. Toledo retained possession of the ball. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Akron quarterback Thomas Woodson (4) passes as he is rushed by Toledo defensive end Olasunkanmi Adeniyi (9) during the second quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Toledo wide receiver Diontae Johnson (3) celebrates his touchdown catch against Akron during the first quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Toledo wide receiver Diontae Johnson (3) catches a touchdown pass over Akron cornerback Alvin Davis Jr. (1) during the first quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Toledo wide receiver Danzel McKinley-Lewis (4) returns a punt against Akron during the first quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside (11) passes against Akron during the first quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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Akron cornerback Alvin Davis (1) passes against Toledo during the first quarter of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)
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