Rockets reloading for repeat run
STAFF REPORT
⚑ The cupboard is anything but empty for defending Mid-American Conference Toledo. However, one key piece is particular is missing, and that could be troublesome. Record-setting quarterback Logan Woodside is gone (Cincinnati Bengals), leaving some questions about getting the ball to the MAC’s best trio of receivers.
All-MAC running back Terry Swanson, also departed, along with two all-league tackles. However, the Rockets have . . .
⚑ The cupboard is anything but empty for defending Mid-American Conference Toledo. However, one key piece is particular is missing, and that could be troublesome. Record-setting quarterback Logan Woodside is gone (Cincinnati Bengals), leaving some questions about getting the ball to the MAC’s best trio of receivers.
All-MAC running back Terry Swanson, also departed, along with two all-league tackles. However, the Rockets have . . .
. . . a knack of finding answers. Noting his squad had to replace super-talented RB Kareem Hunt after the 2016 season, head coach Jason Candle seemed confidence in a successful transition for Woodside this year.
“We’ll get somebody ready to go. We’ve got a talented (quarterback) room with a group of guys that are competing each and every day,” Candle said. “Who ever it is, (he) can’t come off the sideline and say, ‘I don’t have anybody to throw it to,’ that’s for sure.”
“We’ll get somebody ready to go. We’ve got a talented (quarterback) room with a group of guys that are competing each and every day,” Candle said. “Who ever it is, (he) can’t come off the sideline and say, ‘I don’t have anybody to throw it to,’ that’s for sure.”
Here’s more on the Rockets . . .
TOLEDO ROCKETS (11-3, 7-1 MAC in 2017)
2017 MAC CHAMPIONS
2017 Dollar General Bowl: Lost 34-0 to Appalachian St.
Preseason MAC Media Poll: Second, MAC West
OFFENSE:
⚑ Indeed, UT’s quarterback will enjoy a talented trio of targets in Cody Thompson, Jon’Vea and Johnson Diontae Johnson and. The latter was an All-MAC First Team selection, while Thompson was productive before his season was cut short by injury.
“The rehab was a long process,” he said at MAC Media Day. “I’m back to 100 percent. I wake up now and never realize I had an injury, which is amazing.”
⚑ Junior Mitchell Guadagni or sophomore Eli Peters entered fall camp vying for the starting quarterback job. Neither has much experience, as Woodside was the Rockets workhorse.
⚑ Running Terry Swanson is gone, but Shakif Seymour and Art Thompkins should combine for the needed power and speed to maintain a complimentary running game. The former tallied 12 touchdowns and averaged 6.1 ypc, on 116 trips last season. Thompson carried 104 times for 629 yards, averaging 6.0 ypc. He chipped in two scores.
⚑ Florida State grad transfer Berock Ruble should help up front as UT must replace three starters along its offensive line. Ruble is 6-8, 225 pounds and has starting experience from his Seminole days. Former starter Yazeed Atariwa, meanwhile, is back from injury.
TOLEDO ROCKETS (11-3, 7-1 MAC in 2017)
2017 MAC CHAMPIONS
2017 Dollar General Bowl: Lost 34-0 to Appalachian St.
Preseason MAC Media Poll: Second, MAC West
OFFENSE:
⚑ Indeed, UT’s quarterback will enjoy a talented trio of targets in Cody Thompson, Jon’Vea and Johnson Diontae Johnson and. The latter was an All-MAC First Team selection, while Thompson was productive before his season was cut short by injury.
“The rehab was a long process,” he said at MAC Media Day. “I’m back to 100 percent. I wake up now and never realize I had an injury, which is amazing.”
⚑ Junior Mitchell Guadagni or sophomore Eli Peters entered fall camp vying for the starting quarterback job. Neither has much experience, as Woodside was the Rockets workhorse.
⚑ Running Terry Swanson is gone, but Shakif Seymour and Art Thompkins should combine for the needed power and speed to maintain a complimentary running game. The former tallied 12 touchdowns and averaged 6.1 ypc, on 116 trips last season. Thompson carried 104 times for 629 yards, averaging 6.0 ypc. He chipped in two scores.
⚑ Florida State grad transfer Berock Ruble should help up front as UT must replace three starters along its offensive line. Ruble is 6-8, 225 pounds and has starting experience from his Seminole days. Former starter Yazeed Atariwa, meanwhile, is back from injury.
DEFENSE:
⚑ Most of the experience on defense is with the secondary, where four starters return. The group provided 15 interceptions last year, but UT nonetheless ranked seventh (MAC) in defense, allowing 385 yards and 26.2 ppg last year.
There is less experience up front and at linebacker, so the Rockets will need to develop some more stopping power at those levels.
“There are some young, talented guys (on the D-line that) are hungry for their opportunity,” Candle said.
MISC:
⚑ Senior Jameson Vest is one of the league’s top place-kickers. (All-MAC First Team in 2017). He hit 25 of 30 field goals last year, including five of seven from 40 yards and beyond.
⚑ No. 8 Miami (Fla) and Fresno State are two of the non-conference opponents, with the Hurricanes coming to Toledo Sept. 15. U of M is a return matchup following last year’s meeting in Miami. Toledo trailed 38-30 midway through the fourth quarter of that contest, but the Hurricanes added two late touchdowns.
A huge showdown at Northern Illinois looms Nov. 7.
BOTTOM LINE
The Rockets have some serious talent at the skilled spots on offense, but with a new, relatively inexperienced quarterback and some new faces along the line, Toledo may not be quite the same offensive juggernaut as last year. That puts more pressure on a defense that is also doing a big of retooling in spots.
⚑ Most of the experience on defense is with the secondary, where four starters return. The group provided 15 interceptions last year, but UT nonetheless ranked seventh (MAC) in defense, allowing 385 yards and 26.2 ppg last year.
There is less experience up front and at linebacker, so the Rockets will need to develop some more stopping power at those levels.
“There are some young, talented guys (on the D-line that) are hungry for their opportunity,” Candle said.
MISC:
⚑ Senior Jameson Vest is one of the league’s top place-kickers. (All-MAC First Team in 2017). He hit 25 of 30 field goals last year, including five of seven from 40 yards and beyond.
⚑ No. 8 Miami (Fla) and Fresno State are two of the non-conference opponents, with the Hurricanes coming to Toledo Sept. 15. U of M is a return matchup following last year’s meeting in Miami. Toledo trailed 38-30 midway through the fourth quarter of that contest, but the Hurricanes added two late touchdowns.
A huge showdown at Northern Illinois looms Nov. 7.
BOTTOM LINE
The Rockets have some serious talent at the skilled spots on offense, but with a new, relatively inexperienced quarterback and some new faces along the line, Toledo may not be quite the same offensive juggernaut as last year. That puts more pressure on a defense that is also doing a big of retooling in spots.
RSS Feed