Toledo won the coin toss and chose to receive, and started their first drive at their own 20-yard line. On their first play, safety Asantay Brown intercepted Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside and took it for a touchdown. Kicker Butch Hampton’s extra point was good, giving Western and early 7-0 lead.
Toledo responded with a six play, 75-yard touchdown drive, thanks to two runs of over 10 yards by running back Kareem Hunt, and a 41-yard pass to Hunt. After a successful extra point, the game was tied 7-7.
Western got the ball back at their own 19-yard line, and put together a 13 play, 81-yard drive, capped with a 14-yard touchdown run by running back Jarvion Franklin, which tallied the university record for career rushing touchdowns at 50.