Rockets talented, but must fill some key losses
TOLEDO ROCKETS
2023 RECORD: 11-3 (8-0 MAC)
2024 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 2ND
By MRO STAFF
While they won 11 games last year (including nine in a row), the Toledo Rockets, came up one win short of a Mid-American Conference title when they lost a rematch to Miami in the 2023 title game.
With significant talent returning, UT again figures as a top MAC contender. Indeed, the preseason MAC Coaches Poll picked Toledo for No. 2, with Miami again in front. Regardless, however, the upcoming journey will . . .
2023 RECORD: 11-3 (8-0 MAC)
2024 MAC HEAD COACHES POLL: 2ND
By MRO STAFF
While they won 11 games last year (including nine in a row), the Toledo Rockets, came up one win short of a Mid-American Conference title when they lost a rematch to Miami in the 2023 title game.
With significant talent returning, UT again figures as a top MAC contender. Indeed, the preseason MAC Coaches Poll picked Toledo for No. 2, with Miami again in front. Regardless, however, the upcoming journey will . . .
Senior Jarjuan Newton is one of the returning wideout targets. (MVSmith/MRO) . . . be taken by a squad that is much different from the 2023 group.
UT was hit hard by graduation and the transfer portal, especially at several key positions. Some of those spots will be easier to fill than others, but opposing coaches are well aware that UT is a program with a solid head coach and talent in the wings.
OFFENSE:
Toledo lost quarterback Dequan Finn (Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner -- MAC's top player) and running back Peny Boone (MAC Offensive Player of the Year) to the portal. Finn is now at Baylor, while Boone (MAC bests -- 1,400 yards rushing, 15 TDs) moved on to Louisville.
That, along with replacing nearly the entire offensive line, will make it tough for UT to reach the offensive numbers it recorded in 2023. The Rockets finished No. 1 among MAC teams in scoring, total offense, rushing and passing!
Junior Tucker Gleason figures to replace Finn and already has two years in the system. He has occasionally replaced an injured Finn, acquitting himself relatively well. In 2022, he started two games was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week after a win over Eastern Michigan. Last year, he replaced Finn in the second half and led UT to five TDs in a 49-31 victory over Western Michigan. He completed 14 of 34 passes for 184 yards and rushed for another 42 yards in Toledo's 16-15 loss to Wyoming at the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl last December. On the year, he completed 28 of 55 (50.9%), totaling 383 yards with 4 TDs and 1 interception.
As for running back, senior Jacquez Stuart (5-9, 178) averaged a very healthy 5.2 ypc while totaling 574 yards with six TDs last year. He also caught 12 passes totaling 143 yards with one TD.
Just how well Gleason and Stuart can work behind a "new" line remains to be seen, but there is a pair of productive receivers returning to help matters. Jerjuan Newton earned All-MAC First Team honors after catching 52 balls totaling 696 yards with nine TDs. Junior Vandeross III recorded 47 receptions totaling 664 yards with four scores. Tight end Anthony Torres (All-MAC Second Team) is a big target (6-6, 250) who had two touchdowns among his six catches over UT's two games against Miami.
UT was hit hard by graduation and the transfer portal, especially at several key positions. Some of those spots will be easier to fill than others, but opposing coaches are well aware that UT is a program with a solid head coach and talent in the wings.
OFFENSE:
Toledo lost quarterback Dequan Finn (Vern Smith Leadership Award Winner -- MAC's top player) and running back Peny Boone (MAC Offensive Player of the Year) to the portal. Finn is now at Baylor, while Boone (MAC bests -- 1,400 yards rushing, 15 TDs) moved on to Louisville.
That, along with replacing nearly the entire offensive line, will make it tough for UT to reach the offensive numbers it recorded in 2023. The Rockets finished No. 1 among MAC teams in scoring, total offense, rushing and passing!
Junior Tucker Gleason figures to replace Finn and already has two years in the system. He has occasionally replaced an injured Finn, acquitting himself relatively well. In 2022, he started two games was named MAC West Offensive Player of the Week after a win over Eastern Michigan. Last year, he replaced Finn in the second half and led UT to five TDs in a 49-31 victory over Western Michigan. He completed 14 of 34 passes for 184 yards and rushed for another 42 yards in Toledo's 16-15 loss to Wyoming at the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl last December. On the year, he completed 28 of 55 (50.9%), totaling 383 yards with 4 TDs and 1 interception.
As for running back, senior Jacquez Stuart (5-9, 178) averaged a very healthy 5.2 ypc while totaling 574 yards with six TDs last year. He also caught 12 passes totaling 143 yards with one TD.
Just how well Gleason and Stuart can work behind a "new" line remains to be seen, but there is a pair of productive receivers returning to help matters. Jerjuan Newton earned All-MAC First Team honors after catching 52 balls totaling 696 yards with nine TDs. Junior Vandeross III recorded 47 receptions totaling 664 yards with four scores. Tight end Anthony Torres (All-MAC Second Team) is a big target (6-6, 250) who had two touchdowns among his six catches over UT's two games against Miami.
Toledo's defense swarms a Miami ballcarrier during last year's UT win at Miami. (MVSmith/MRO)
Luke Pawlak hit 12 of 15 field goals and 50 of 51 PATs in 2023. (MVSmith/MRO) DEFENSE:
Toledo's biggest single player loss on the defensive side was All-American DB Quinyon Mitchell (Philadelphia Eagles). However, senior safety Maxen Hook is back after earning All-MAC honors the last two years. Fellow safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is also a returning starter and should help anchor the secondary.
Senior Daniel Bolden (6-1, 248) leads the linebacker group after finishing second among UT tacklers with 94 hits in 2023.
Seniors D'Andre Ragin and Darius Alexander are back along the defensive front.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Luke Pawlak got plenty of work last year while kicking for the MAC's top offense. His 50 extra points were six better than the next kicker. He missed just one PAT on the year and hit 12 of 15 field goal attempts with a long of 44. That was his only successful kick over 40 yards in 2023.
Punter Emilio Duran averaged 37.8 yards per boot.
Stuart led the league in kick returns, averaging 29.1 yards per return with one TD.
Toledo's biggest single player loss on the defensive side was All-American DB Quinyon Mitchell (Philadelphia Eagles). However, senior safety Maxen Hook is back after earning All-MAC honors the last two years. Fellow safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren is also a returning starter and should help anchor the secondary.
Senior Daniel Bolden (6-1, 248) leads the linebacker group after finishing second among UT tacklers with 94 hits in 2023.
Seniors D'Andre Ragin and Darius Alexander are back along the defensive front.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Luke Pawlak got plenty of work last year while kicking for the MAC's top offense. His 50 extra points were six better than the next kicker. He missed just one PAT on the year and hit 12 of 15 field goal attempts with a long of 44. That was his only successful kick over 40 yards in 2023.
Punter Emilio Duran averaged 37.8 yards per boot.
Stuart led the league in kick returns, averaging 29.1 yards per return with one TD.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
>> The Rockets have some big shoes to fill. It's not like Gleason or Stuart will necessarily be a huge dropoff, but the transfer is complicated by so many new faces up front. Senior guard Jakob James transferred in from Ohio State, so that may help. Certainly, there is experience and talent among returning receivers.
>> Defensively, losing a shut-down corner like Mitchell could hurt. How much remains to be seen. With experienced safties at the back end, UT should be able to limit the damage.
>> The Rockets open 2024 with home games against Duquesne and UMass before traveling to Mississippi State and Western Kentucky.
Conference play begins Oct. 5 with a big home game against Miami (OH). Northern Illinois (A) and Bowling Green (H) highlight the middle portion of the second. UT hosts Ohio and goes to Akron for the final two contests.
>> The Rockets have some big shoes to fill. It's not like Gleason or Stuart will necessarily be a huge dropoff, but the transfer is complicated by so many new faces up front. Senior guard Jakob James transferred in from Ohio State, so that may help. Certainly, there is experience and talent among returning receivers.
>> Defensively, losing a shut-down corner like Mitchell could hurt. How much remains to be seen. With experienced safties at the back end, UT should be able to limit the damage.
>> The Rockets open 2024 with home games against Duquesne and UMass before traveling to Mississippi State and Western Kentucky.
Conference play begins Oct. 5 with a big home game against Miami (OH). Northern Illinois (A) and Bowling Green (H) highlight the middle portion of the second. UT hosts Ohio and goes to Akron for the final two contests.
Anthony Torres (88) had two TDs among his six catches against Miami in 2023. (MVSmith/MRO)
RSS Feed