OFFENSE

Eric Page is arguably the best offensive talent in the MAC, and the Rockets will get very creative to put the ball in his hands. A former quarterback with great football smarts, Page had 99 receptions from his wideout position last season despite seeing extra coverage every game.

Toledo has two proven quarterbacks to get Page the ball, and coach Tim Beckman has hinted at possibly using Austin Dantin and Terrance Owens as “situational” players at the position. Dantin comes back from a shoulder injury. Both have had success starting.

Tailback Adonis Thomas makes people miss and had 1,098 rushing yards last season while averaging better than 6.0 yards per carry. Morgan Williams also has a 1,000-yard season on his résumé, while David Fluellen adds so much explosiveness to the position that Beckman is considering using a two-back approach.

After Page, Kenny Stafford and Tim Cortazzo are the veteran receivers outside, though Illinois transfer Cordale Scott has emerged as a potential starter.

The offensive line is missing its anchor with the graduation of center Kevin Kowalski. Sophomore Zac Kerin is the frontrunner to win that job. With both tackles — Mike VanDerMeulen and John Morookian — moving into their fourth year as starters, there is a wealth of experience around.
 

DEFENSE

The mood on this side of the ball is set by old-school middle-linebacker Dan Molls, an all-conference performer who says little but packs a huge punch. Isaiah Ballard was dismissed from the team, which leaves a void on the outside. Terrell Anderson and Ray Bush tangle for an inside spot.

There’s plenty of talent in the secondary, where Desmond Marrow starts at one corner after receiving a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA. Taikwon Paige and Keith Suggs are competing at the other corner. Strong safety Jermaine Robinson is working his way back from an Achilles injury. Mark Singer returns at free safety. Former Iowa transfer Diauntae Morrow and Ross Madison are also in the picture.

There is a load of depth on the defensive line, led by a pair of seniors in Malcolm Riley and Johnie Roberts at the tackle spots. Riley can also play end, which would open up room inside for senior Jon Lamb or sophomore Elijah Jones.
 

SPECIALISTS

Placekickers Ryan Casano and Andrew Elchert missed spring practice due to injury and will battle freshman J.D. Detmer for the job. Veterans Bill Claus and Vince Penza tangle for the full-time punting job. The return game is solid, with the dynamic Page handling both punts and kickoffs. He averaged better than 30 yards per kick return in 2010, and took three back for touchdowns.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Most teams would have been rejoicing and striking up the band after winning eight games and playing in a bowl, but Beckman saw to it that the celebrations were modest following Toledo’s 2010 season. He wants his team to know the bar sits higher. “That’s a great accomplishment, but the bottom line is we were not in the MAC Championship Game and we didn’t win the bowl game,” Beckman says. “These players understand that they’ve accomplished something, but at the same time they have not accomplished all their goals.” Beckman has 50 lettermen and 17 starters back, and he has Toledo positioned to take that next big step.