 TOLEDO, OH - Were it not for a particularly bad outing at DeKalb last November, head coach Tim Beckman’s Toledo Rockets could have been part of the 2010 MAC Championship game. The unfulfilled matchup with Miami would have featured two of the better “turnaround” stories in recent Mid-American Conference history. With an abundance of talent returning, Toledo has it’s sights set on reaching the title game this time around, possibly even meeting Miami in Detroit .
A preseason media poll predicted the Toledo-Miami matchup, along with a Rockets title game win. However, the MAC writers nod to each was razor thin. Both programs had a division challenger within two votes.
In the Rockets case, that challenger is a familiar foe – the same Northern Illinois program that handed Toledo a 65-30 setback last year. It was the only conference loss of the season for UT, which was down 28-0 by halftime.
Both teams are loaded with talent again in 2011, and they will face off Tuesday, Nov. 1 on Toledo ’s home turf. Another offensive show is a distinct possibility. As if either team needed more motivation, the game will be shown on ESPN, It is the second of consecutive tough conference games on the Rockets schedule, but both of the back-to-back contests are in the Glass Bowl. Miami pays a visit Oct. 22.
OFFENSE
The Rockets finished third among MAC teams in scoring last year, and the “O” could be even better this season. Offensive coordinator Matt Campbell’s crew has plenty of weapons, giving UT a balance that will be tough to defend.
Senior running back Adonis Thomas averaged 6.3 ypc while totaling 1,098 yards over 13 games. Thomas finished strong last year, with a career-high 193-yard effort in the Little Caesar’s Pizza Bowl to cap his season. His long of 87 yards reflects breakaway speed, a quality UT has in several offensive spots.
There are other fine options, as well. Beckman indicated senior Morgan Williams could have a big year. Sophomore David Fluellen, meanwhile, has moved up to No. 2 on the depth chart this fall after averaging 5.9 ypc in limited action last year. With so much quality depth, Beckman indicated UT may use a two-back set more often this season.
Another player with speed – and elusiveness – is wide receiver Eric Page. The junior earned All-MAC first team honors in 2010 and was MAC Special Teams Player of the Year. Page is a big play threat nearly every time he touches the ball.
As a receiver, Page finished third (all games) with an average of 7.62 catches per contest. He had the most total catches of any MAC receiver, accumulating 1,105 yards on 99 receptions and found the end zone eight times as a receiver.
As a kickoff returner, he led the league, averaging 31.1 yards per return, with a long of 99 yards. Among his 28 returns were three for touchdowns. For his efforts, the 5-10, 180-pounder earned first-team All-America honors for the kickoff return position (Walter Camp, Sporting News and Phil Steele Publications).
Listed No. 1 at wide receiver, kickoff returner and punt returner on the UT preseason depth chart, Page is again an All-America candidate. He was named to "watch lists" for the Fred Biletnikoff Award (nation's best receiver) and Paul Hornung Award (most versatile player in the nation).
Other receiving options for Toledo are veterans Kenny Stafford and Illinois transfer Cordale Scott at the “X” receiver position. Bernard Reedy is at the top of the depth chart at the “Z” position.
The good depth continues at quarterback, where there are two high-quality options. Austin Dantin (6-2, 200, Jr.) and Terrance Owens (6-4, 180, So.) both have starting experience, and Beckman may choose his signal-caller based on matchups and situations.
No small part of the credit for Toledo’s offensive success was its line play, and the Rockets have a mixture of experience and new blood up front. Seniors John Morookian (6-5, 301, RT), Mike VanDerMuelen (6-7, 307, LT) and Philipkeith Manley (6-5, 309, LG) are back. They will be joined by center Zac Kerin (6-5, 295, Jr.) and right guard Greg Mancz (6-5, 280, R-Fr.). Senior Danny Noble (6-5, 248) returns at tight end after hauling in 18 catches for 233 yards and five TDs as a junior.
DEFENSE
There is plenty of experience on defense, but getting to “the next level” will probably involve improvement by this unit. As much as anything, the key might be consistency.
Toledo was in the middle of the pack, tied for seventh with Central Michigan in scoring defense (24.9 ppg) during conference play. The Rockets were fifth against the run 117.8 ypg. However, nearly half (422 yards) of the 942 total MAC rushing yards yielded by UT came against Northern Illinois .
Seniors Malcolm Riley (6-3, 281, DE) and Johnie Roberts (6-3, 280, DT), as well as junior defensive end T.J. Fatinikun are returning starters up front. Senior Johnathan Lamb (6-4, 285) is set to start at another tackle.
Junior linebacker Dan Molls, an All-MAC third team selection in 2010, is back. The 6-1, 222-pounder was second on the team, second in the MAC and 10th in the nation in tackles (143). He tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Two of those picks, as well as a key sack late in the game, came in a big 20-13 win over Ohio . He had a career-high 19 tackles against Northern Illinois .
Senior Charles Rancifer (6-3, 217) and junior Robert Bell (6-0, 227) have moved up the chart and could flank Molls.
The secondary is experienced, especially with the return of corner Desmond Marrow (6-3, 210), who was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. Senior Taikwon Paige (5-11, 185) is at the other corner.
Safety Jermaine Robinson (6-3, 188, Jr.) is back on the field and scheduled to start after injuring his Achilles in the Rockets bowl game against Florida International. Diauntae Morrow (6-0, 199) is listed at the other safety spot. He had 40 tackles and two interceptions in 2010.
SPECIAL TEAMS
With Page handling punt and kickoff returns, the Rockets have a huge weapon to either put points on the board and/or change field position.
Senior Ryan Casano is back at placekicker after hitting 2-of-7 field goals over four games in 2010. An injury during practice cost him the remainder of the season, and he is coming back from offseason surgery. Freshman Jeremiah Detmer is also in the mix.
Sophomore Vince Penza returns to handle punting. His 39.5 yard average (MAC) ranked sixth in the league.
NOTES AND SCHEDULE
- The Rockets are experienced and talented on both sides of the ball. While both teams in the MAC Championship game last year also return a lot of talent, both have new head coaches and staffs. With Beckman still at the helm, UT is in a position to make a real run on the title. But while the MAC media gave Toledo a preseason nod to win it all, AT LEAST four teams could come home with the trophy in December.
- Toledo has a potentially emotional three-game stretch midway through the season. The Rockets go down the road to meet arch-rival Bowling Green Oct. 15. Miami comes to the Glass Bowl Oct. 22, and then the Rockets face off with Northern Illinois . They can ill afford something similar to the bad day at DeKalb last year. If both teams have taken care of business leading up to the contest, UT vs. NIU figures to be one of the league’s best games of 2011.
- One area that Toledo coaches will want to improve on is penalties. The Rockets ranked last in the MAC with 61 penalties for 531 yards (66.4 ypg). Another somewhat troublesome area was field goals. UT made 4-of-9 in league play, ranking next to last with only Bowling Green (2-of-7) lower.
- UT ranked third in the MAC in sacks of opponent quarterbacks. Toledo posted 22 sacks, one behind Miami and six behind Kent State .
- Toledo registered a win over Michigan several years ago. Could UT be the first MAC school to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes? After a home/season opener against New Hampshire Sept. 1, the Rockets travel to Columbus for a matchup against OSU Sept. 10. With a head coaching change and NCAA issues, it’s difficult to say what mindset the Buckeyes will have by that point. Whatever happens in Columbus , Toledo won’t be able to dwell on it. They host Boise State the following week and then hit the road for games at Syracuse and Temple.
- Beckman received a contract extension (until 2015) last month.
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