TOLEDO -- Toledo wide receiver Lance Moore has exceeded his coach's expectations but not his own.

"Coming into this season, I did set some personal goals," the 5-foot-11, 175-pound junior said. "I felt there was an opportunity in front of me, and I wanted to catch as many balls as possible, so 100 seemed like a nice round number."

He's got a chance.

Moore ranks first in the nation with 70 catches through eight games, and he has at least 10 receptions in each of his last five games.

"He is actually playing at a higher level than even I expected," Rockets coach Tom Amstutz said. "There are all the physical tools -- the speed, the athleticism, the good hands -- and then there is the determination. Lance is a guy who wants the ball and is willing to go get it."

Moore, who had a school-record 15 catches in a win over Pittsburgh in September, finished fifth on the team in receptions in 2002 with just 23. He passed that number in back-to-back games earlier this season, catching 26 balls against Pitt and Syracuse.

Amstutz said there were signs before this season that Moore would develop into a capable wideout. He was watching Moore closely because the Rockets had lost three senior pass catchers from last season.

"We did see how hard he worked this summer ... and we saw him getting better and better," Amstutz said.

Considering the loss of quarterback Brian Jones (3,446 yards passing, 23 touchdowns) and wideout Carl Ford (79 catches, 1,062 yards) -- among others -- there were plenty of questions about the Toledo offense heading into this season.

Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski's chemistry with Moore has helped the Rockets excel.

Amstutz said Moore has all the tools that make a top wide receiver.

"He's had the sure hands ever since he stepped on campus, but he's worked on improving his strength and his speed and he's gotten better and better as the season has gone on," Amstutz said.

"He's consistent, he's very trustworthy, and you know he's going to run the right pattern. Lance is a very reliable football player, and the tougher it gets, the better he plays."

With four games remaining, it's a good bet Moore will break Don Fair's school record of 81 catches in 1970.

The Rockets (5-3, 3-1 Mid-American Conference) also have some work to do in the MAC West Division race.

Toledo is tied for second with Northern Illinois and Ball State, a game behind Bowling Green.

Because the Rockets still play the rival Falcons -- on Nov. 28 at Bowling Green -- they're still alive to win or share a sixth MAC West title in the past seven years.

Moore said he is focused more on helping Toledo reach a third straight bowl game than his own statistics.

"I can't really dwell on the personal stats and all because the team goals come first. I know that if I am having some success as a receiver, that means the team is doing the right things," Moore said.

Toledo plays host to Buffalo on Saturday. Elsewhere in the MAC, Akron is at Marshall, Ball State travels to Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan goes to Central Michigan. Western Michigan plays at Connecticut and Central Florida is at West Virginia in non-conference games. Bowling Green plays at Miami of Ohio on Tuesday night.

Originally published Friday, October 31, 2003