2024 Season Preview – Toledo Rockets
2023 Record – 11-3; 8-0 MAC
Bowl: VS. Wyoming in Arizona Bowl (L 16-15)
2024 Schedule
- 8/29 – VS Duquesne
- 9/7 – VS UMass
- 9/14 – at Mississippi State
- 9/21 – at Western Kentucky
- 10/5 – VS Miami (OH)
- 10/12 – at Buffalo
- 10/19 – at Northern Illinois
- 10/26 – VS Bowling Green
- 11/2 – at Eastern Michigan
- 11/12 – VS Central Michigan
- 11/20 – VS Ohio
- 11/26 – at Akron
2023 Recap
Toledo started the season with a tough loss to Illinois out of the Big 10. After being down 27-19 early in the fourth quarter, the Rockets made a strong come back, with a field goal and a touchdown (the two-point conversion failed) to go up 28-27 with about three minutes remaining. Unfortunately, they let the Illini move down the field and kick a field goal with five seconds remaining to win 30-28.
This ended up being the only loss for the Rockets during the regular season. They were able to knock out eleven straight wins to finish out the regular season. This included an 8-0 record in the MAC to easily advance to the MAC Championship game.
In the MAC Championship they would face Miami, a team they beat 21-17 during the regular season. The championship game was just as close, with the Rockets taking a 14-13 lead going into the fourth. Miami would score the final ten points of the game leaving the Rockets with their second loss of the season and without the MAC Championship.
Toledo would still make it to a bowl game and competed against Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl. It was a familiar story in the game with Toledo up 15-6 going into the fourth. The Cowboys scored ten points in the fourth and kept the Rockets off the board to win 16-15. Toledo finished the season with an 11-3 record.
2024 Preview
The Toledo season will come down to how well the Rockets replace the quarterback and running back position. Quarterback DeQuan Finn was the MAC player of the year and transferred to Baylor. Running back Peny Boone was MAC offensive player of the year and transferred to Louisville. Luckily, MAC coach of the year Jason Candle is back so if any team can keep things going it will be Toledo.
Pass receivers will be the biggest strength returning on the offensive side. Five of the top six receivers from 2023 will all be returning. Throwing to them will be Tucker Gleason who has been on the team as a backup for two years. So, they will not be starting from scratch there.
The other offensive question will be can they keep teams from getting to Gleason. All five offensive linemen will need to be replaced in 2024. Jakob James transfers in from Ohio State and will need to find some help around him.
More players will be returning on the defensive side. This could be the key to the season until the new offense finds itself. It will be led linebacker Daniel Bolden who was the second leading tackler in 2023 with 94. Maxen Hook also returns at safety after being first-team all-conference.
2024 Prediction
Toledo starts off the season against Duquesne out the FCS and a home game against UMass. Both of these games should get the Rockets off to a good start of the season.
The next game will be on the road at Mississippi State. Although not the strongest SEC opponent, they still must play on the road and will likely be the first loss of the season. This is followed up with a game at Western Kentucky, a team that is usually competitive in Conference USA.
Toledo should easily be competing for a spot in the MAC Championship game again this season. The first conference game will likely be the toughest against Miami. Miami beat Toledo for the championship in 2023. After that, there should be quite a few games against teams further down the pecking order until a home game against Ohio on November 20th.
Toledo has not had a losing season since 2009. There is no reason to believe this season will break that streak. The Rockets will likely be back in the MAC Championship again and bowling for the fourth straight season.
Prediction – 9-3