Toledo Rockets

Toledo Rockets

Toledo Rockets

5-6 (3-4), 4th Mid-American - West

Toledo Team Report

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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.

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15 Comments

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  1. <i>pxd2000</i>
    15. Posted by pxd2000 Wed Nov 11 12:19pm EST

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    don't fret "..." the okies and aggies call us TU just to piss us off. more importantly, you have a great school in a great city and are making your way in a tough minefield of play for pay. and you have a great basketball program. Phil from Texas.
  2. Matt
    14. Posted by Matt Fri Oct 30 3:07pm EDT

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    No matter how you say it, spell it, or think it, Toledo is still a @#$%hole. Period.
  3. j s
    13. Posted by j s Sun Oct 25 7:37pm EDT

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    Now you have been Crushed and Laid Low by the College Football Team of the 5th Largest City in the United States..

    MAYBE NOW YOU WILL RESPECT AND FEAR THE TEMPLE OWLS.
  4. Manco
    12. Posted by Manco Sat Oct 10 11:16pm EDT

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    Still a terrible defense. All the impovement evaporated against Western Michigan. It's wait till next year again. Bring on basketball.
  5. Michael
    11. Posted by Michael Fri Oct 9 10:52am EDT

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    We hope they learn from past and show a great Bowl game after the season is over. Means much money for future Toledo Football. Michael
  6. Blaster
    10. Posted by Blaster Mon Oct 5 9:52am EDT

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    @ ... It can be Toledo, The University of Toledo, UT or even TU. Learn your history to remember that TU is what it was called 30 years ago. My uncles went there then and they still call it that. Hell, even when I was there 10 years ago it was called that colloquially.
  7. ....
    9. Posted by .... Tue Sep 29 1:33am EDT

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    I dont mean to sound picky, but its THE UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO aka UT not, TU. As a student it's just annoying to see. Also, its exciting to see this team performing as they are after watching last year's disappointments. Go ROCKETS.
  8. Manco
    8. Posted by Manco Mon Sep 28 11:32pm EDT

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    Defense still a big ? but the experience of playing quality teams in their first four games and coming away 2-2 hopefully will help them play well in the MAC. If the defense can improve every game they have a chance at a winning season and putting the cart back on the track. A lot of "ifs" but I'll keep my fingers crossed until the end of the season.
  9. Derrick
    7. Posted by Derrick Mon Sep 28 6:11pm EDT

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    Toledo's offensive line was just overmatched against the Ohio state defensive front. Ohio State's defensive line might very well be the best in the country. Toledo will not face any team comparable to Ohio State for the remainder of the season. Barring any major injuries to Opelt, Toledo should score many points in all of their conference games. And while still not stellar, the defense is definitely improving weekly. I believe that the Rockets will contend for the west division title, though Central Michigan looks to be real solid, and Northern Illinois and Western Michigan appear to be threats as well. ROCKETS REPRESENT!
  10. Manco
    6. Posted by Manco Tue Sep 22 11:55pm EDT

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    Well AdamB the Rockets have played 3 games and are still giving up an average of 42+ points a game. The defense still sucks. If the offense get's shut down like they did against OSU or Opelt has an off night the Rockets are toast. TU used to have one of the best defenses in the MAC when Amstutz was the defensive coordinator. Beckman is a defense coach also so where is the improvement... there isn't any.
  11. uofm6574
    5. Posted by uofm6574 Tue Sep 15 9:05am EDT

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    OSU Defense is good. Their Offense is bad. Pryor is so overrated. Go Rockets from the guys up North.
  12. buck
    4. Posted by buck Mon Sep 14 9:06am EDT

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    Defense is still bad but looked 10 times better in game two. The score did not show that. The Buffs only moved the ball when Toledo was playing prevent D. If Toledo can put up 50 points agianst Ohio State then we will walk away with the win. Ohio States D looked pretty good but still im calling Toledo win!
  13. Manco
    3. Posted by Manco Sat Sep 12 3:27pm EDT

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    You are right they won game two. Now if they can score 50+ points a game they can afford to give up 30+. Again the TU defense is still terrible.
  14. buck
    2. Posted by buck Thu Sep 10 6:53am EDT

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    It was one game give em a break, Yes the defense was horrible vs run. The offense did a decent job. Wait four games then draw your conclusions. Hey to me if they beat Ohio State a losing season is ok with me.
  15. Manco
    1. Posted by Manco Sat Sep 5 3:18pm EDT

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    I'm tired of the hype. New coach new work ethic, new traditions but same losing results. Still NO defense and a sputtering offense with a average at best quarterback. Another losing season and the end of Rocket's home of champions slogan. Sad
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