INSIDE SLANT

The Rockets come into their season finale against long-time rivalBowling Greenwith plenty left to play for. A win would putToledoat 6-6, give the Rockets’ seniors the best season of their careers, and at least the symbolic accomplishment of being bowl eligible.

The underlying story in this matchup might give the Rockets just as much of an incentive, however. First-year Toledohead coach Tim Beckman was on the staff atBowling Greenfor seven years, and served as defensive coordinator under Urban Meyer. When Meyer left forUtah, Beckman was reportedly a candidate for the head job with the Falcons, but it went to Gregg Brandon.

After Beckman spent a couple of years as an assistant at Ohio State and a couple more as defensive coordinator at Oklahoma State, the head coaching jobs at both Toledo and Bowling Green opened up following last season. Conflicting accounts had him as a candidate for both posts, andToledoinsiders feeling as if they had pulled quite a coup by snagging Beckman beforeBowling Greencould.

Beckman hired his defensive coordinator Mike Ward away fromBowling Green, where Ward had spent 17 seasons as an assistant. He also lured Matt Campbell away from the Falcons, and made him the offensive coordinator atToledo. These migrations would be strange enough, but with the bitter rivalry added in, it makes for a very tense atmosphere come game time.

Beckman needs to beat his former employer for his first season atToledoto be a success. AToledowin would also likely knock Bowling Green out of bowl consideration, and thus add a little fuel to the fire on both sides, which any rivalry relishes.

NOTES, QUOTES

• The Rockets’ last winatBowling Green’s Doyt Perry Stadium came in 2005 when quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, now the starter with the Oakland Raiders, ralliedToledoto a 44-41 win in double overtime.

• ToledoandBowling Greencontest their annual rivalry for the rights to hold on to the Peace Pipe, a peculiar award that began as a basketball trophy in 1948, but was made a football trophy in 1980.

• Bowling Greenhas won the last two games with the Rockets,whileToledowon the three before that. The road team has only won twice in the last 11 years.

Series History:  Bowling Greenleads series 38-31-4 (last meeting 2008, 38-10Bowling Green)

Scouting The Offense:   The Rockets got the running game in high gear in their last outing, a47-21 dismantling ofEastern Michigan, as sophomore Morgan Williams rushed for 155 yards and senior DaJuane Collins added 144 more. A performance anything like that against rivalBowling Greenwill really take the pressure offToledo’s unsettled quarterback situation.

Scouting The Defense:   TheToledodefense will square off against the MAC’s best passing attack as Bowling Greensenior QB Tyler Sheehan makes a 37thstraight start with nearly 10,000 career passing yards and 64 touchdown passes. The Rockets have to shadow WR Freddie Barnes, who leads the nation with 129 receptions and 14 touchdown catches.

Quote To Note:   “I’ve been on the other side of this rivalry, and I can tell you that it means an awful lot to both teams. A lot of these kids know each other, so that just adds to the intensity.”—Toledocoach Tim Beckman on facingBowling Green.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Toledo at Bowling Green, Nov. 27—The Rockets (5-6, 3-4 MAC) are shooting for a win that will give them their best record in four seasons, and the pleasure of likely knocking rival Bowling Green (6-5, 5-2 MAC) out of a bowl game.

Keys To The Game:  Toledo’s primary assignment in this one is for its often maligned defense to do what few have been able to do, and that is to keep the wraps onBowling Green’s nationally-rated passing attack. If the Rockets can maintain a strong rushing game, they’ll keep BG’s offense on the sideline, where it can do no damage.

Players To Watch:  

WR Eric Page leads all freshmen in the nation in receptions (75) and receiving yards (1,029). Page’s role has increased in the past month, with kick return duties, and a few snaps in the wildcat offense.

QB Aaron Opelt is still nursing a shoulder injury that has limited him for the past month, but he is likely to make an appearance in his career finale.

WRStephen Williams needs just two receptions againstBowling Greento break Lance Moore’sToledocareer mark of 222.

QB Austin Dantin will get the start againstBowling Greenafter going 10-of-11 for 116 yards in the recent rout ofEastern Michigan.

Roster Report:  

• RB MorganWilliams averaged 14.1 yards per carry in the rout ofEastern Michigan, which was the sixth-best performance inToledohistory.

• QB David Pasquale is a freshman who scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 15-yard run in the first half againstEastern Michigan, and added a second touchdown on a six-yard carry in the third quarter.

• DB Barry Church is one of12 semi-finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s best college defensive back

• QB Aaron Opelt, a senior and four-year starter, is hampered by a shoulder injury from mid-season. He is expected to play in his final game with the Rockets, but will not start.