2022 Record: 9-5, 5-3 MAC
2023 MAC Head Coaches Poll: First in MAC West. MAC Champions
Some up-and-down results worked out well for UT last year as the Rockets won a MAC championship and followed that up with a 21-19 Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl victory over Liberty. Toledo's longest win streak was three games, but it won two-straight three times and lost two straight two other times. The Rockets actually finished with the same 5-3 conference mark as Eastern Michigan, but UT's 27-24 victory over EMU ultimately sent Toledo to the MAC title game.
With many key performers among a bevy of experienced returnees, Toledo got the MAC head coaches nod to win it all again in 2023. The Rockets have a generally favorable schedule, so if they remain reasonably healthy, they could well reach Detroit again this year.
>> Toledo (31.8 ppg) was just a half point behind Ohio (33.3 ppg) in scoring offense last year. The Rockets were third in total offense (402.2 ypg), third in rushing (177.6 ypg) and sixth in passing (224.6 ypg).
>> Quarterback Dequan Finn is among eight returning starters on offense. The Second Team All-MAC selection ranked fourth among MAC players in total offense (240.9 ypg). He was eighth in passing (136.4 ypg) and fourth in pass efficiency. The junior completed 59.7 percent of his passes, good for 2,260 yards and 23 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He is also a running threat and was just four carries (130 carries, 631 yards, 4.9 ypc, nine TDs) off the team lead.
"If Dequan stays healthy and does what he needs to do, you're talking about an electric player that should be in the conversation for player of the year," UT Head Coach Jason Candle said.
>> Sophomore Tucker Gleason gained valuable experience last year, appearing in nine games. However, he will be working on improving on a 47.5 percent completion mark. He tossed eight TDs with three picks.
"When D-Q went down last year, I thought Tucker did a good job of stepping up," Candle said.
>> UT's top two receiving targets return. Junior Jerjuan Newton (Second Team All-MAC) caught 53 aerials totaling 830 yards with nine touchdowns. Meanwhile, senior Devin Maddox recorded 39 catches (548 yards, 3 TDs). Anthony Torres is a big target (6-6, 250) at tight end. "Jerjuan has been a great player for us," Candle said. "Devin ... dealt with some injuries last year."
>> Finn's running contributions can be combined with Jacquez Stuart, who is back after averaging 5.7 ypc in 2022. He totaled 770 yards with four scores. Candle noted there is also depth at the running back position."It's another deep room."
>> There is plenty of experience upfront. Even tackle Tyler Long, who missed last year due to injury, was a starter in 2021. He returns to join Vinny Sciury, Devan Roger, Kendall Major and Nick Rosi.
>> "We're really looking for a good year on offense," Candle said.
>> Toledo ranked third among MAC teams in scoring defense (25.1 ppg). The Rockets were first in total defense (326.2 ypg), fifth against the rush (143.2 ypg) and first against the pass (183.0 ypg) and also tops in pass defense efficiency.
>> Seven starters return on the defensive side, with the secondary being particularly strong - again! Safety Maxen Hook earned First Team All-MAC honors last year. Nate Bauer was selected for the second team. Senior safety Zachary Ford returns, as well as corners Chris McDonald and Quinyon Mitchell.
"We feel like we've got some really talented (players) back there, and if they stay on the same page, they can have a tremendous season," Candle said.
>> Perhaps the least experienced group -- at least in terms of returning starters -- is the defensive front. Senior Judge Culpepper is back to anchor that group.
>> Senior linebacker Dallas Gant (First Team All-MAC) led Rocket defenders with 115 tackles (50 solo) in 2022. Dyontae Johnson (Second Team All-MAC) is gone, but Candle said, "We feel like there are some players who the public doesn't even know about (yet) who will step up."
>> Kicker Thomas Cluckey is gone, so Luke Pawlak steps into the role after hitting both of his field goal attempts (and three PATs) in 2022. Punter Jonathon Batzke averaged 39.0 yards per boot last year.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
It's no surprise that MAC head coaches picked the Rockets to repeat. With a strong cast returning, its difficult to see an area where they drop off. Defensive line and the kicking game have a few question marks, but the Rockets will look pretty familiar in 2023.
Still, it would be wise to remember that three points separated Toledo and Eastern Michigan in 2022.
"We had a great year last year, and we return a lot of guys on our team," Candle said. "It doesn't mean anything as the season starts."
Those two teams will meet again Nov. 8 in the Glass Bowl, with a road trip to rival Bowling Green following the next week.
UT opens with three non-conference games - at Illinois before home tilts against Texas Southern and San Jose State. Toledo begins conference play with home matchups against Western Michigan and Northern Illinois before traveling to UMass for a final non-conference game.
Toledo avoids Ohio in cross-divisional play, but travels to Miami and must host Buffalo -- both considered MAC East contenders.