Rockets will lean on offense for MAC run
Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel ranked all 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country entering the 2017 season. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 130 to our projected No. 1 team. Toledo
Jason Candle (10-4, entering second season; 10-4 overall)
9-4, 6-2 in the Mid-American Conference, second in the West Division
Toledo has been one of the most consistent teams in the MidAmerican Conference during the past decade, with the Rockets averaging at least nine wins in five of the last six seasons. That said, the program hasn’t won a conference championship since 2004. 4 6
RB Kareem Hunt, WR Corey Jones, OL Mike Ebert, OL Storm Norton, OL Paul Perschn, DT Treyvon Hester, DB DeJuan Rogers, DE John Stepec, DB Connery Swift, P Nick Ellis
QB Logan Woodside, WR Cody Thompson, WR Jon’Vea Johnson, OL Elijah Nkansah, OL Nate Jeppesen, DE Olasunkanmi Adeniyi, CB Ka’dar Hollman, CB Trevon Mathis, LB Ja’Wuan Woodley
Toledo’s offense flourished in coach Jason Candle’s first seasons, with the Rockets one of 13 teams in the country to average more than 500 yards of offense per game. Senior QB Logan Woodside was one of eight starters in the FBS to pass for more than 4,000 yards while completing more than 60 percent of his passes. He led the nation with 45 touchdown passes in the process.
“Logan’s leadership, his accountability, and his buy-in to the program have been outstanding. His value as a leader is at an all-time high,” Candle said in the school’s preseason preview.
Terry Swanson shared some of the rushing workload as a junior (583 yards) and will move into a featured back role this season.
The offense has an abundance of playmakers, including receiver Cody Thompson, who earned first team All-MAC honors after he finished second in the league in receiving yards (1,269). Junior Jon’Vea Johnson joins Thompson (773 yards) as a complementary piece in the offense.
While the offense flourished, the defense had its struggles. Toledo’s front line allowed the most rushing yards per game (176) since 2012. The group returns two starters in Olasunkanmi Adeniyi and Marquise Moore. The middle of the defense is the strength of this unit thanks to the return of linebackers Ja’Wuan Woodley and Tyler Taafe. Woodley earned all-conference honors after he finished second on the team in tackles (79).
Eight different players earned starts on the offensive line last season, with two full-time starters returning this season — Elijah Nkansah and Nate Jeppesen. The group allowed just 14 sacks in 2016.
The offense will have to move on without Kareem Hunt, who rushed for at least 1,000 yards during two of the past three seasons, including last year when he led the league with 1,475 rushing yards. He left as the program’s all-time leading rusher.
Toledo’s offense is coming off a record-setting season and despite the loss of some key pieces from the group, the Rockets should once again be one of the top scoring teams in the MidAmerican Conference. Woodside could earn some early buzz on the national awards circuit. The defense, meanwhile, has room to grow, especially with nonconference matchups against strong Tulsa and Miami teams looming. The MAC schedule sets up nicely for this team, with key league games against Northern Illinois and Western Michigan at home.