2008 Toledo Rockets Preview

The Rockets dealt with an explosion of injuries last season, forcing a number of younger players into action and ultimately ending with the tradition-rich program’s second consecutive 5–7 finish. Toledo has had an extended run with more than adequate offensive firepower, but its defensive liabilities have been so significant that recently the Rockets have not been able to outscore teams like they had in the past. A year older and wiser, the defense should make things more difficult for the opposition and take some of the pressure off the offense, which was compelled to score almost every time it touched the ball.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Rockets

Back-to-back 5–7 seasons have forced the hand closer to the panic button in the Rockets’ camp, where there have been 12 winning seasons since 1994, and contention for the MAC championship is supposed to be a given. Toledo had been the scourge of the MAC West Division for an extended run, and to get back in that position the Rockets will have to start with what got them there in the first place, and that means defense. The curse of injuries can not possibly be as deep as it was in 2007 when Toledo allowed 444.1 yards per game and had the MAC’s second-worst defense. A healthy bunch of Rockets will have to slice a big chunk off the 39.2 points per game they allowed, and get the right guys with the right motors on the outside, since Toledo was also dead last in the league with nine sacks. If the defense makes a quantum leap toward respectability, and junior quarterback Aaron Opelt blossoms in his third year as a starter, Toledo could be back in contention in the MAC West. The Rockets need their offensive line to jell quickly to give Opelt the security to foster confidence. His wideouts are among the best in the conference, running back DaJuane Collins is more than ready, and his tight end John Allen is plenty capable.

Quarterbacks

Toledo enters 2008 minus a quarterback controversy — or at least a competition — for the first time in a while. Junior Aaron Opelt owns the job after his closest contender for the position, Clint Cochran, decided to focus on medical school this year. When not sidelined with injuries, Opelt has been starting games since his freshman season, and last year he had 12 touchdown passes and 1,756 passing yards in nine games. Opelt led the Rockets’ blitz of Northern Illinois last season when Toledo had a MAC-record 812 yards of offense. Sophomores D.J. Lenehan and Alex Pettee are the backups, with Pettee coming to Toledo after a season in the junior college ranks, where he passed for 2,196 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Running backs

Next on the production line at this crucial position in Toledo’s quick-strike spread offense is junior DaJuane Collins, who had more than 600 yards as a backup in 2007. Collins, who has great strength and balance, averaged an impressive 6.4 yards per carry a year ago. If the Rockets approach the position by committee as they have done in the past, sophomore Gordon Warner will get plenty of carries. Redshirt freshman Adonis Thomas has exhibited flashes of big-play ability on the practice field.

Receivers

This is the strongest position on the team, with two all-conference players in Stephen Williams and Nick Moore. They possess the size, hands and speed that make for big-play potential and create difficult matchups on the outside for Toledo opponents. Williams had six 100-yard receiving games in 2007 and 73 catches for more than 1,100 yards. Moore added 60 receptions. Coach Tom Amstutz expects the pair to put the spark in Toledo’s offense and open up opportunities for the running game.

Offensive linemen

Three-time All-MAC tackle John Greco graduated, but the loss is softened by the return of three starters up front. Jared DeWalt will start his third season at left guard, while Buster Garrett at center and Kevin Kowalski at right guard also return. Chris Meenan leads a deep competition at right tackle, while Mike VanDerMeulen is the frontrunner at Greco’s left tackle spot. Toledo’s spread is built around strong line play to balance the running game and the quick-strike passing.

Defensive linemen

The return of tough guy Sean Williamson, injured in 2007, boosts the group. He has 28 career starts and a knack for getting stops behind the line. Injured end Douglas Westbrook has healed, and Alex Johnson and Terrell Willis add the luxury of depth. At tackle, senior Alfred Martin, juniors Skylaar Constant and Maurice Hill and sophomore Joe Underwood have adequate collective experience.

Linebackers

The only problem here is finding out which of four skilled players will fill the two positions. Senior Keith Forestal is a two-year starter and a proven commodity. Juniors Derrick Summers and Beau Brudzinski were in the rotation in 2007, but the best talent might belong to Archie Donald, a star as a true freshman in ’06 who was sidelined last year with academic issues.

Defensive backs

This is the backbone of the defense, with safeties Barry Church and Tyrrell Herbert leading the way. Two-time all-leaguer Church has 163 tackles and seven interceptions on his résumé, while Herbert returns after missing the majority of the 2007 season due to injury. Rover Lester Richmond had a team-best 97 tackles last season. Desmond Marrow won a corner job in the spring, with Walter Atkins likely playing the other corner.

Specialists

Amstutz has a well-publicized disdain for field goals, but Rocket junior Alex Steigerwald has made the most of his intermittent opportunities, hitting 20-of-21 over two seasons. Sophomore Brett Brodbeck will handle the kickoffs, while redshirt freshman Bill Claus is the frontrunner to replace All-American Brett Kern at punter.

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