NCAA Football Preview - Toledo Rockets
Sports Network | August 19, 2008
OFFENSE: The Rockets relied heavily on the run last season, averaging over 200 ypg, but with Jalen Parmele now gone the team will have to find a suitable replacement in the backfield. DeJuan Collins will likely land the job, as the junior is coming off a strong season in which he rushed for 636 yards and seven scores. "This year as the No. 1 guy, I know I have to step up all the time in games and in practices, said Collins, "I have to show leadership at all times and be accountable to the team."
Although Collins is capable of having a strong season, the team will likely look to pass more in 2008. That said, expect quarterback Aaron Opelt to improve from his mediocre sophomore campaign when he completed 57.8 percent of his passes for less than 2,000 yards with just 12 TDs against seven INTs. Fortunately, Opelt will have his top two targets back from last season, as wideouts Nick Moore and Stephen Williams will look to build upon their impressive numbers from 2007. Williams was selected to the All-MAC Second Team, finishing with 73 receptions, 1,169 yards and seven touchdowns. The junior averaged 16.0 ypc and should be Toledo's main threat down the field. As for Moore, he led the squad last season with eight receiving TDs, and is without question one of the most experienced receivers in the conference.
DEFENSE: The Toledo defense was absolutely abysmal last season, as the team was hammered for 39.3 ppg and 215.0 rushing ypg. However, coach Amstutz returns nine starters from that group and the unit as a whole looks much improved. Toledo only collected eight sacks last season, but with three starters along the defensive line back in the mix, that number should increase drastically. The team will get a boost from the return of Sean Williamson, who was lost for the season last year with an injury in the team's opener.
The linebackers should also be much improved in this new campaign, as the team returns Lester Richmond (team-high 97 tackles in '07), and also will have Archie Donald back on the field as well. Donald made six starts as a freshman, but missed all of last season due to academic troubles. The deepest part of this unit will be in the secondary, as the Rockets return all four starters, including safety Barry Church. Church logged 92 tackles last season in addition to picking off three passes. The junior is one of the top safeties in the MAC and is looking for his third consecutive First Team All-MAC selection.
SPECIAL TEAMS: The Rockets possess one of the top kickers in the MAC in Alex Steigerwald. The junior kicker only attempted 13 field goals last season, but made every one, and in his career at Toledo is an impressive 20-of-21 on FGs. The return game is a big concern for coach Amstutz, as the team will have to replace Parmele and Andrew Hawkins. Nick Moore only averaged 6.9 yards per punt return last season, but the wideout will likely remain the return man on punts and should improve that average. The Rockets also take a hit with the loss of punter Brett Kern, who averaged a whopping 46.1 ypp last year. Bill Claus will likely be the top candidate to take over for Kern, but it is hard to imagine the redshirt freshman coming close to his predecessor's performance from 2007.
OUTLOOK: The main concern for the Rockets this season is on the defensive side of the ball. Toledo will have to make drastic improvements if the team plans on posting a winning record in 2008.
"I'm excited about this year," Amstutz said. "We have a nice corps of players to build an offense around like Aaron Opelt, Nick Moore and Stephen Williams. On defense we have a lot of injured players back and Im looking for great improvement in our team this year."
Offensively, the Rockets could be as potent as last year, but for that to happen the team needs Collins to perform at a high level at the tailback position.
Where coach Amstutz's squad could struggle is with its non-conference schedule which consist of tough road games against Arizona and Michigan, and a home matchup against Fresno State. Toledo is however, fortunate to host tough league foes in Ball State and Central Michigan.
