This is not, as the saying goes, your father’s Eastern Michigan football team. Yes, they won one game this year snapping an 18-game losing streak a couple weeks ago. Yes, they are 1-8. But this group of Eagles, down 21 points, rallied to beat Ball State when the Cardinals had their offensive star Eric Williams playing. Williams did not travel to the Glass Bow last Saturday. EMU also put points (twenty of them) on the scoreboard in the Horseshoe, something the Rockets have not done in our last two meetings with the Buckeyes.
Second year coach Ron English is clearly building for the future part of which is paying dividends now. The Eagles are finding ways to move the ball and score. Against the Buckeyes, it was through the air. Against the Cavaliers in Charlottesville, it was on the ground racking up 290 net yards rushing.
The Eagles on Offense:
Sophomore QB Alex Gillett (6’1”, 205# from Clyde High School) gets the Eagles offense going. He’s the team’s leading rusher with 462 yards on 110 rushes (4.2 ypr). He ran for 189 yards and two touchdowns against Ball State. EMU’s second leading rusher RB Dwayne Priest is averaging 4.4 ypr on 86 rushes. Priest has not played since the Ohio University game on October 2nd. The Eagles may have found his replacement in the person of true freshman Javonti Greene (5’10”, 180#). Making his starting debut against UVA, Green had 155 yards on just eight carries. He had two rushing touchdowns on gallops of 55 and 53 yards. [EMU statisticians seem to have trouble picking him up as well as he is listed twice, once as Javontie Green.]
The offensive line, with only one change in the starters, has been good at helping the Eagles establish a running game. Dual tight ends are part of the Eagles package. The results are 161 yards per game on the ground with a dozen rushing TDs, one more than via the air.
Passing is not the Eagles’ strength but can be effective if the opposition focuses too much on the run. EMU’s preference is to run the ball and the clock to keep the game in hand. Gillett is completing a feather more than 55% of his passes with the team averaging just 172 yards per game via the pass. Gillett has thrown 10 TDs with 7 INTs.
Leading the receiving corps are sophomore WR Kinsman Thomas (6’2”, 205#) and senior TE Ben Thayer (6’4”, 240#), each with 20 receptions and four and three TD catches respectively. Thomas is averaging a hefty 20.3 ypr while Thayer is averaging more than 12 ypr. WR Tyrone Burke and TE Josh LeDuc are the other two Eagle receivers with double digit catches and an identical 8.1 ypr. LeDuc also threw a 71-yard TD pass to Thomas after taking a lateral from Gillett in their MAC opener at Miami.
The Eagles on Defense:
The Eagles’ run defense ranks 117th in the country and their passing defense is ranked 74th in the country with just 2 INTs.
The strength of EMU’s defense lies with its two LBs. SLB Tim Fort leads the team in total tackles (68) and TFL (4). WLB Neal Howey is second in tackles (61) and TFL (3). RCB Marcell Rose (5 passes defended and 1 INT) and FS Ryan Downard both have 44 tackles.
DE Javon Reese leads the Eagles with 3.5 of the team’s 9 sacks.
In reality, Coach English prefers that his defense stay off the field and let the offense run time off the clock.
Eagles Special Teams:
Missing his last two field goal attempts, sophomore Sean Graham was replaced by freshman Kody Fulkerson for the Virginia game and promptly missed a 28 yard attempt. Fulkerson handles the kickoff duties averaging 53.5 ypko putting the opponents in business starting at their own 35.
Aussie Jay Karantz, a rugby-style kicker, is averaging 40.4 ypp with his coverage unit allowing 7.5 yards per return.
What to Look For:
• Based on Ball State’s early and late success, look for the Eagles to mix in rushes by Greene and Gillett with quick passes down the seams to the tight end and slot receivers
• Javonti Greene (#32) lined up as a receiver to get the ball on a hand-off in a jet sweep right/left
• The jet sweep to set up a fake with QB Gillett keeping the ball running to the opposite side
• TE option pass with LeDuc
• At least one Rocket INT
• The Eagles to go for the first down on 4th down plays inside the Rockets 35 but outside of the red zone
• A punt return of more than 10 yards by Eric Page
• Quick pass plays to Javonti Greene to get him the ball in space
• A Rocket kickoff return into EMU territory
• Seven or more penalties on each team
• Rockets balanced attack will not allow EMU to move up in rush and pass defense stats
• How well the Rockets DE contain the sweep
• The first half to be closer than the current 14 point favorite Rockets would like
• A good crowd of Rocket Nation fans at Rynearson Stadium
• Listen for the siren early and often
GO ROCKETS!
Media Coverage
Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com
Audio also available on WEMU.org
Internet video coverage provided by All-MAC Access, RocketVision, and Eagles All-Access
Kickoff at 4:07 pm (ET)
Video provided by BCSN on tape delay
Current forecast: High of 54°F partly sunny turning partly cloudy in the evening with temps dropping into the upper 30s well after game is over; great afternoon for football.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Green Out for Ball State Game
I have learned that true freshman wide receiver James Green will miss this Saturday's game, while still recovering from a mild concussion he suffered against Kent State last week. He is expected to be 100% for the Eastern Michigan game the following week.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Alex Johnson Cleared to Play
Defensive end Alex Johnson has been cleared to play this Saturday night, when the Rockets host the Ball State Cardinals. Johnson had been sidelined with an injury he suffered late in the Western Michigan game.
Freshman wide receiver James Green suffered a mild concussion during the 3rd quarter of last Saturday's win over Kent State. He is expected to return to practice this week, but his status for Saturday's game against Ball State is still unknown. Freshman running back David Fluellen will miss his 2nd straight game with a knee injury he suffered against Boise State. Despite the knee injury, Flu could be available as early as the Northern Illinois or Bowling Green games.
Freshman wide receiver James Green suffered a mild concussion during the 3rd quarter of last Saturday's win over Kent State. He is expected to return to practice this week, but his status for Saturday's game against Ball State is still unknown. Freshman running back David Fluellen will miss his 2nd straight game with a knee injury he suffered against Boise State. Despite the knee injury, Flu could be available as early as the Northern Illinois or Bowling Green games.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Ball State Looks To Rebound ~ Rockets Host the Cardinals
MAC conference play this year is best described as unpredictable. Two quick examples: a 1-6 team nearly beat the pre-season runaway pick to be MAC Champs last Saturday; the Ball State Cardinals (2-5, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) beat the defending MAC Champ at Mt. Pleasant two weeks ago and then lose to a team that hasn’t won a game in 18 previous starts.
It’s this type of peak and valley performances that keep MAC coaches up at night. For Cardinals coach Stan Parrish, I image he’s pulling out lots of feathers as of late as the valleys are getting deeper. And a lot of that has to do with injuries and the performance of the survivors. In his own words: “. . . we don’t have the ability to put anyone away yet.”
Cardinals on Offense:
The Cardinal offensive line was a projected strength for the Red. That was before injuries hit the up-fronters.
First it was LT Cam Lowry, BSU’s best offensive lineman with a good shot at being All-MAC, who suffered a torn ACL against Purdue in the third game. His replacement, Austin Holtz, sustained a sprained ankle. He didn’t play against Eastern. In the Iowa game, tight end Zane Fakes injured his knee and is out for the year. Starting center Kreg Hunter was suspended due to an arrest and then last week he was walking with a boot on his foot. Backup center Jerrod Gray will be starting Saturday. Against Purdue, the Cardinals played just six lineman. Against EMU, the number was seven with two being tight ends. Freshman LT Matthew Page has been listed as a backup but has not seen a single snap this year.
Per Coach Parrish, the difference in the CMU game was the play “along the offensive and defensive lines,” Parrish said. “We out-hit them and we out-hustled them.” That was then.
Last week, the Red generated only 98 rushing yards against EMU. This year’s previous low for rushing yards against Eastern Michigan was 181 yards by the RedHawks. "It didn't shock me," Parish explained. "We're really beat-up up front."
And the beat goes on. RB Eric Williams (5’10”, 203 #) with the most rushing yardage (5.3 ypc) is questionable against the Rockets. He left action in the second half against EMU with an ankle injury. Eric is also second in team reception yardage with 108 yards on six catches. He ranks first in the MAC in kickoff returns and all-purpose yards and seventh in rushing. Williams has scored six TDs, including a 92 kickoff return. In total, BSU has tallied 17 TDs this year. If he’s out that’s another huge hit for the Cardinals.
TB Cory Sykes, (5’7”, 160#, 6.1 ypc) missed two games in September with a knee injury. He was held out of the EMU game because of the same injury. True freshman David Brown (5’10”, 198#) has the best average of all the RBs at 6.9 ypc.
And then there’s the mystery back of the Red. TB MiQuale Lewis (5’6”, 201#) needed 669 yards his senor year for the Ball State career rushing record. Through seven games he has tallied just 190 yards (3.1 ypc). About this time last year he was riding high among the MAC’s leading rushers until the Rockets came to Muncie. He was bottled up 24 yards on 14 carries. He did score the go-ahead points with 42 seconds left in the game and had recaptured a bit of his “attitude.” Fifteen seconds later, Aaron Opelt hit a wide open Stephen Williams for a 51-yard TD pass plus a 2-point conversion pass to Eric Page to seal the win for Toledo. I’m guessing his feathers are still ruffled.
The fledgling aerial game is triggered by freshman QB Keith Wenning (6’4”, 220#). He has played in seven games starting the last five. He’s clearly learning to fly. Against CMU he went 12 for 18, throwing two TDs without an INT. The following week against Western Michigan he was one for eight. He did throw for three TDs against the Eagles brining his season total to six TDs with five INTs. For the season he is completing 55.9% of his throws for a 5.9 yards per attempt average.
Thirteen different Cardinals have made receptions including seven true freshmen and a sophomore. WR Dan Ifft (6’3”, 178#) leads the Cardinals with 13 catches for 123 total yards for the year. That’s a good night’s work for Eric Page. RS freshman QB turned TE Aaron Mershman (6’2”, 211# from Bowling Green) has 11 catches averaging 9.5 ypr.
Cardinals on Defense:
Against the run only two MAC teams are doing worse than the Cardinals. The same with pass defense, the Rockets being one of those MAC units.
Leading the D-line is DE Robert Eddins (6’3”, 244#) with team high six TFLs and five sacks, 4.5 against CMU. DT Rene Perry went out in the last quarter of the EMU game with an apparent knee injury. Per Coach Parrish “Rene Perry will play if he can walk.”
Ball State has been getting strong play from its tiro of LBs. Travis Freeman and Tony Martin rank one, two in tackles with 69 and 61 respectively which compare favorably with Donald (72) and Molls (65). The play of third LB, senior Davyd Jones, has added 35 tackles to the line backing total.
Leading the secondary is S Sean Baker with 57 tackles and 4 INTs. He is now tied for career interceptions at Ball State with 14. CBs Charlie Todd and Jason Pinkston have been active in the Cardinals secondary. Having S Kyle Hoke go down with a broken ankle puts just adds more pressure to a depleted defense.
Cardinals Special Teams:
Senior PK Ian McGarvey is having another solid year connecting on 8-of-11 field goals. He has struggled from beyond 40 yards making only one of four attempts. Coming into this year he was 13 for 16 in the 40 to 49 yard range. He has missed only four of 112 XPAs in his career.
Kickoff and punt coverage for the Cardinals has been among their better performing units allowing less than 19 yards per KOR and less than four yards per punt return.
P Scott Kovanda is averaging 41.0 ypp with seven of his 36 punts traveling 50 yards or more. Only a dozen have been returned.
If Eric Williams is out, the Red return game suffers. He’s averaging nearly 32 yards per KOR. The other Cardinals are averaging less than 20 yards per KOR. Jamill Smith returns punts at a 9.8 yard per return average.
What to Look For:
• The Cardinals to run right behind RG Kitt O'Brien and RT Dan Manick, the only two OL starters playing the same positions throughout the year
• If the Rockets defense plays the entire game, the Red will not hit triple digits on the ground improving their 27th ranking in the nation against the run
• A short passing game from Wenning hoping for his receivers to pick up YAC
• Two sacks or more for the Midnight Blue and Gold
• Should be an evening for multiple picks by the Rockets defense
• Continued excellent special team play covering kick-offs and punt returns
• A handful of three-and-outs for BSU
• Eric Page to make a fair catch (please!)
• A crowd pleasing performance by Morgan Williams and Adonis Thomas
• Coach Tim Beckman to again be .500 in his head coaching career and the Rockets to take the lead in the overall series with BSU
• A continuation of Rockets penalties lengthening game time (if you’re not tailgating better eat before the game or plan on a late night dinner)
• Most of the fans remaining in the stands to show their appreciation for the Rockets efforts in MAC contests
GO ROCKETS!
Media Coverage
Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com Audio also available on the Ball State Radio Network (WLBC 104.1 FM Muncie)
Internet video coverage provided by All-MAC Access and RocketVision for Rocket Nation fans outside the Toledo area. Kickoff at 7:07 pm (ET)
It’s this type of peak and valley performances that keep MAC coaches up at night. For Cardinals coach Stan Parrish, I image he’s pulling out lots of feathers as of late as the valleys are getting deeper. And a lot of that has to do with injuries and the performance of the survivors. In his own words: “. . . we don’t have the ability to put anyone away yet.”
Cardinals on Offense:
The Cardinal offensive line was a projected strength for the Red. That was before injuries hit the up-fronters.
First it was LT Cam Lowry, BSU’s best offensive lineman with a good shot at being All-MAC, who suffered a torn ACL against Purdue in the third game. His replacement, Austin Holtz, sustained a sprained ankle. He didn’t play against Eastern. In the Iowa game, tight end Zane Fakes injured his knee and is out for the year. Starting center Kreg Hunter was suspended due to an arrest and then last week he was walking with a boot on his foot. Backup center Jerrod Gray will be starting Saturday. Against Purdue, the Cardinals played just six lineman. Against EMU, the number was seven with two being tight ends. Freshman LT Matthew Page has been listed as a backup but has not seen a single snap this year.
Per Coach Parrish, the difference in the CMU game was the play “along the offensive and defensive lines,” Parrish said. “We out-hit them and we out-hustled them.” That was then.
Last week, the Red generated only 98 rushing yards against EMU. This year’s previous low for rushing yards against Eastern Michigan was 181 yards by the RedHawks. "It didn't shock me," Parish explained. "We're really beat-up up front."
And the beat goes on. RB Eric Williams (5’10”, 203 #) with the most rushing yardage (5.3 ypc) is questionable against the Rockets. He left action in the second half against EMU with an ankle injury. Eric is also second in team reception yardage with 108 yards on six catches. He ranks first in the MAC in kickoff returns and all-purpose yards and seventh in rushing. Williams has scored six TDs, including a 92 kickoff return. In total, BSU has tallied 17 TDs this year. If he’s out that’s another huge hit for the Cardinals.
TB Cory Sykes, (5’7”, 160#, 6.1 ypc) missed two games in September with a knee injury. He was held out of the EMU game because of the same injury. True freshman David Brown (5’10”, 198#) has the best average of all the RBs at 6.9 ypc.
And then there’s the mystery back of the Red. TB MiQuale Lewis (5’6”, 201#) needed 669 yards his senor year for the Ball State career rushing record. Through seven games he has tallied just 190 yards (3.1 ypc). About this time last year he was riding high among the MAC’s leading rushers until the Rockets came to Muncie. He was bottled up 24 yards on 14 carries. He did score the go-ahead points with 42 seconds left in the game and had recaptured a bit of his “attitude.” Fifteen seconds later, Aaron Opelt hit a wide open Stephen Williams for a 51-yard TD pass plus a 2-point conversion pass to Eric Page to seal the win for Toledo. I’m guessing his feathers are still ruffled.
The fledgling aerial game is triggered by freshman QB Keith Wenning (6’4”, 220#). He has played in seven games starting the last five. He’s clearly learning to fly. Against CMU he went 12 for 18, throwing two TDs without an INT. The following week against Western Michigan he was one for eight. He did throw for three TDs against the Eagles brining his season total to six TDs with five INTs. For the season he is completing 55.9% of his throws for a 5.9 yards per attempt average.
Thirteen different Cardinals have made receptions including seven true freshmen and a sophomore. WR Dan Ifft (6’3”, 178#) leads the Cardinals with 13 catches for 123 total yards for the year. That’s a good night’s work for Eric Page. RS freshman QB turned TE Aaron Mershman (6’2”, 211# from Bowling Green) has 11 catches averaging 9.5 ypr.
Cardinals on Defense:
Against the run only two MAC teams are doing worse than the Cardinals. The same with pass defense, the Rockets being one of those MAC units.
Leading the D-line is DE Robert Eddins (6’3”, 244#) with team high six TFLs and five sacks, 4.5 against CMU. DT Rene Perry went out in the last quarter of the EMU game with an apparent knee injury. Per Coach Parrish “Rene Perry will play if he can walk.”
Ball State has been getting strong play from its tiro of LBs. Travis Freeman and Tony Martin rank one, two in tackles with 69 and 61 respectively which compare favorably with Donald (72) and Molls (65). The play of third LB, senior Davyd Jones, has added 35 tackles to the line backing total.
Leading the secondary is S Sean Baker with 57 tackles and 4 INTs. He is now tied for career interceptions at Ball State with 14. CBs Charlie Todd and Jason Pinkston have been active in the Cardinals secondary. Having S Kyle Hoke go down with a broken ankle puts just adds more pressure to a depleted defense.
Cardinals Special Teams:
Senior PK Ian McGarvey is having another solid year connecting on 8-of-11 field goals. He has struggled from beyond 40 yards making only one of four attempts. Coming into this year he was 13 for 16 in the 40 to 49 yard range. He has missed only four of 112 XPAs in his career.
Kickoff and punt coverage for the Cardinals has been among their better performing units allowing less than 19 yards per KOR and less than four yards per punt return.
P Scott Kovanda is averaging 41.0 ypp with seven of his 36 punts traveling 50 yards or more. Only a dozen have been returned.
If Eric Williams is out, the Red return game suffers. He’s averaging nearly 32 yards per KOR. The other Cardinals are averaging less than 20 yards per KOR. Jamill Smith returns punts at a 9.8 yard per return average.
What to Look For:
• The Cardinals to run right behind RG Kitt O'Brien and RT Dan Manick, the only two OL starters playing the same positions throughout the year
• If the Rockets defense plays the entire game, the Red will not hit triple digits on the ground improving their 27th ranking in the nation against the run
• A short passing game from Wenning hoping for his receivers to pick up YAC
• Two sacks or more for the Midnight Blue and Gold
• Should be an evening for multiple picks by the Rockets defense
• Continued excellent special team play covering kick-offs and punt returns
• A handful of three-and-outs for BSU
• Eric Page to make a fair catch (please!)
• A crowd pleasing performance by Morgan Williams and Adonis Thomas
• Coach Tim Beckman to again be .500 in his head coaching career and the Rockets to take the lead in the overall series with BSU
• A continuation of Rockets penalties lengthening game time (if you’re not tailgating better eat before the game or plan on a late night dinner)
• Most of the fans remaining in the stands to show their appreciation for the Rockets efforts in MAC contests
GO ROCKETS!
Media Coverage
Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com Audio also available on the Ball State Radio Network (WLBC 104.1 FM Muncie)
Internet video coverage provided by All-MAC Access and RocketVision for Rocket Nation fans outside the Toledo area. Kickoff at 7:07 pm (ET)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Photos from Boise State
It was a great opportunity to be on "The Blue" and take photographs of the Rockets in action along with a good number of Rocket faithful in attendance.
Here's my album of game photos: http://www.photoshop.com/users/NewMexRocketFan/albums/fd357993b9ea40a5a4e58915c48e75b1
and here's my album of fan photos: http://www.photoshop.com/users/NewMexRocketFan/albums/877b6067499a4012991685cc96b96751
Here's my album of game photos: http://www.photoshop.com/users/NewMexRocketFan/albums/fd357993b9ea40a5a4e58915c48e75b1
and here's my album of fan photos: http://www.photoshop.com/users/NewMexRocketFan/albums/877b6067499a4012991685cc96b96751
Rocket Football Update
One of the biggest questions on the minds of Rocket fans as Toledo heads into a key conference match-up with Kent State this weekend is where does the team stand with injuries. DE Alex Johnson is still out, and not expected back for at least a few weeks. But what about the injuries that occurred at Boise State last weekend?
The Toledo Blade's Zach Silka has reported that UT head coach Tim Beckman told him that Austin Dantin has completely recovered from a minor concussion and will start this weekend against Kent State. He also said that redshirt freshman QB Terrance Owens will see playing time as well.
True freshman running back David Fluellen is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a knee injury. The rest is all good news.
True freshman wide receiver James Green, redshirt freshman defensive end Christian Smith, and sophomore defensive end TJ Fatinikun are all expected to play Saturday against Kent State.
The Rockets are 3-3 on the season, but more importantly they are 2-0 in conference play. Toledo will be looking to start the MAC season 3-0 for the first time since 2005.
It will once again be a busy weekend for recruiting as well. The Rockets are expecting to welcome 45 recruits at the game for unofficial visits.
The Toledo Blade's Zach Silka has reported that UT head coach Tim Beckman told him that Austin Dantin has completely recovered from a minor concussion and will start this weekend against Kent State. He also said that redshirt freshman QB Terrance Owens will see playing time as well.
True freshman running back David Fluellen is expected to miss 3-4 weeks with a knee injury. The rest is all good news.
True freshman wide receiver James Green, redshirt freshman defensive end Christian Smith, and sophomore defensive end TJ Fatinikun are all expected to play Saturday against Kent State.
The Rockets are 3-3 on the season, but more importantly they are 2-0 in conference play. Toledo will be looking to start the MAC season 3-0 for the first time since 2005.
It will once again be a busy weekend for recruiting as well. The Rockets are expecting to welcome 45 recruits at the game for unofficial visits.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Golden Flashes Striving for Ignition ~ Sparks Should Fly Saturday at Glass Bowl
Admit it, in August many Rocket Nation faithful looked at the Rockets schedule and penciled in a W next to KSU. As things have unfolded a bit east of the Cuyahoga River, this will probably be a close, tough fought football game.
Seventh year head coach Doug Martin, a former KSU offensive coordinator, has a defense that sits atop the NCAA statistical heap against the run allowing less than 60 yards per game (1.80 ypr) on the ground. They are second with 44 TFLs and tied for ninth with 16 sacks. Who saw that coming in August?
Kent State on Defense:
As the saying goes, defenses win championships. If so, the Golden Flashes are in a position to battle for the MAC East despite losing to the RedHawks by a touchdown. And that’s saying something given that the Golden Flashes last won the Mid-American Conference championship and played in a bowl game when Richard Nixon was president.
It’s LB Cobrani Mixon (6’1”, 240#), who’s leading the defensive unit in total tackles. With his fellow line backer Dorian Wood, third in tackles, they are plugging holes. Together, they’ve accounted for 20% of the TFLs. Adding in defensive linemen Roosevelt Nix, Lee Stalker, and Quinton Rainey along with DE Jake Dooley, and that figure jumps to 70%. And this is in spite of using an eight-man rotation on the DL.
Kent State has recorded at least two sacks in every game except against Penn State. They have 17 sacks to date with 44 tackles for losses. (The Rockets are 14 and 34 in these categories.) Roosevelt “Rosie” Nix (6’0”, 240#) has 6.5 sacks and 10 TFL placing him third in the nation in both categories. He’s making a case to be an All-MAC selection and a candidate for an All-American Freshman team.
The play of the Golden Flashes secondary has them ranked 76th nationally against the pass, better than five other MAC teams including the Rockets. CB Norman Wolfe has four interceptions in a four-game span tying him for 1st in INTs per game. Of his 26 total tackles, he has made 18 tackles in the last two games. DB Josh Pleasant has a team-high 6 passes broken up to go with his 27 tackles.
In total, KSU tops the MAC in fewest points allowed per game at 20.8.
Kent State on Offense:
Compared to the defense, the Golden Flashes offensive unit has been inconsistent. The Flashes are less than electrifying on the ground averaging a bit more than 81 yards per game. Losing Eugene Jarvis for the last five games to a groin injury, junior TB Jacquise Terry (6’0”, 183#) has taken over the running duties for KSU averaging just 3 yards per carry.
They are averaging just south of 197 yards per game through the air. Third down conversions have limited KSU drives converting just one-out-of-three on third down opportunities. They have, however, converted on four of five fourth down attempts.
Sophomore QB Spencer Keith (6’3”, 215#) became the seventh player in KSU history to record 3,000 career passing yards and in total completions with 263. He passed both marks against Akron. This year he’s completing less than 57% of his passes and has thrown for five TDs while being picked seven times.
More than 80% of Keith’s pass completions have been caught by five receivers. WR Sam Kirkland (6’1”, 191#) tops this group with 25 catches averaging nearly 14 yards per grab. WR Tyshon Goode (6’1”, 182#) has 19 receptions (9.4 ypc). RB Dri Archer has a dozen catches over the last four games (5.0 ypc) along with fellow RB Terry who has 11 receptions, 2 TDs (14.7 ypc). TE Justin Thompson has 10 catches.
Jacquise Terry has accounted for half of the Golden Flashes’ offensive touchdowns. In addition to running out of the TB position and catching passes out of the backfield, he has also taken direct snaps in the Wildcat formation.
The KSU offensive line, while not providing much in the way of running room, has allowed just 9 sacks and 42 TFL compared to 14 and 39 for the Rockets.
Part of the offensive struggles can be contributed to different starting combinations of running backs, receivers and tight ends in each game.
Kent State’s Special Teams:
Punt coverage has been solid holding opponents to less than six yards per return. P Matt Reinhart, All-MAC First teamer, is averaging 41+ ypp. He had a banner day against Akron with six of his nine kicks being downed inside the 20 yard line.
KO coverage is very good allowing opponents less than 18 yards per kick return. The Flashes’ KO return unit is averaging 23.05 ypr. which is about a yard less than the Rockets. WR Anthony Bowman and Dri Archer share return duties. Both weigh less than 170# with the ball but are fast and are capable of big returns.
Freddy Cortez is four-for-six on field goal attempts missing his last two. He is a perfect 13-for-13 on PATs.
What to Look For:
• A close game; early lines favor the Rockets by two to three points but one odds maker has KSU -1
• The play of our OL as the barometer; despite the score in Boise, our offensive line worked hard and did a decent job against the strongest defense we faced all year
• How well the Rockets offense handles #55 (Rosie the Divoter)
• The Rockets defense to yield less than 200 yards in passing yardage and less than 100 yards on the ground
• The Rockets to have fewer penalties than their opponents for the first time this year
• Rockets to pick off two KSU passes
• Look for the Rockets to return a kickoff more than 25 yards
• Rockets’ best home performance of the year
GO ROCKETS!
Game Info:
Kickoff at 7:00 pm (ET) with video via RocketVision and All-MACcess. Audio by Rocket Sports Network and www.wspd.com
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Blog Swap
We teamed up with BlueTurfNation.com, a Boise State blog site, for a blog swap. Below are our questions for BTN, and their answers:
Expectations are high in Boise, with the chance of playing in the BCS National Championship Game being floated around. This could be a recipe for overlooking opponents that are not in BCS AQ conferences, yet Boise State has outscored those opponents 110-6 so far this year. How has Coach Petersen been able to keep their focus up for these games when they are favored by large spreads?
Well lets start with "Expectations". Boise State does not expect to play in the BCS National Championship game. The players and coaching staff know it is not in their hands, so they have a philosophy of taking things one game at a time and letting the chips fall as they will. The Broncos may have overlooked teams in past years but this team - Not a chance. Coach Pete really puts an emphasis on the next game and the players all have bought in to this. As for why are they favored by such large margins? Success with large margins and the field of opponents warranting such margins.
Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore has put up "video game" like numbers the last couple of years. Has there been talk of him leaving early for the NFL?
If Boise State makes it to The Big Show, I would think that Kellen may explore his options. If they play in a lesser Bowl, them most likely not. I think he'll finish his collegiate career then move on to Sunday appearances.
What can Rocket fans expect from Boise State this Saturday?
The most aggressive team they have faced to date. They will strike fast and keep after it until it's time to bring in the bench. What can you expect from the bench? These are the future of the program and they are every bit as hungry and every bit as aggressive.
For the Rocket fans that are traveling to Boise for this game, what are the "must-see" places in Boise?
You mean besides the Blue Turf? The stadium is open to the public for photos (check with The Athletic Office for more information).The Train Depot, it has some of the best views of the Boise Skyline, Foothills and The State Capital. A hike up Table Rock can always be fun if you are into that sort of thing.
What is your prediction for Saturday's game?
Boise 45 Toledo 9. I think The rockets will most likely have difficulty with the red zone defense and will settle for a few field goals.
Expectations are high in Boise, with the chance of playing in the BCS National Championship Game being floated around. This could be a recipe for overlooking opponents that are not in BCS AQ conferences, yet Boise State has outscored those opponents 110-6 so far this year. How has Coach Petersen been able to keep their focus up for these games when they are favored by large spreads?
Well lets start with "Expectations". Boise State does not expect to play in the BCS National Championship game. The players and coaching staff know it is not in their hands, so they have a philosophy of taking things one game at a time and letting the chips fall as they will. The Broncos may have overlooked teams in past years but this team - Not a chance. Coach Pete really puts an emphasis on the next game and the players all have bought in to this. As for why are they favored by such large margins? Success with large margins and the field of opponents warranting such margins.
Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore has put up "video game" like numbers the last couple of years. Has there been talk of him leaving early for the NFL?
If Boise State makes it to The Big Show, I would think that Kellen may explore his options. If they play in a lesser Bowl, them most likely not. I think he'll finish his collegiate career then move on to Sunday appearances.
What can Rocket fans expect from Boise State this Saturday?
The most aggressive team they have faced to date. They will strike fast and keep after it until it's time to bring in the bench. What can you expect from the bench? These are the future of the program and they are every bit as hungry and every bit as aggressive.
For the Rocket fans that are traveling to Boise for this game, what are the "must-see" places in Boise?
You mean besides the Blue Turf? The stadium is open to the public for photos (check with The Athletic Office for more information).The Train Depot, it has some of the best views of the Boise Skyline, Foothills and The State Capital. A hike up Table Rock can always be fun if you are into that sort of thing.
What is your prediction for Saturday's game?
Boise 45 Toledo 9. I think The rockets will most likely have difficulty with the red zone defense and will settle for a few field goals.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Boise State Rolls Out the Blue Carpet - Rockets Take on the Broncos
The fifth installment of blue turf, which the BSU players call “The Blue”, took place this July in Bronco Stadium. This is Coach Chris Petersen’s fifth year as the Broncos’ head coach with a record of 53-4 (.930). The 4-0 Broncos are looking to make Toledo its fifth straight win this year. And they may well have a bit of chip on their shoulder. The Broncos fell from third to fourth in this week’s USA Today Coaches and Associated Press top 25 polls despite their 59-0 win over New Mexico State University Aggies (0-4).
The 2010 BSU football edition features nearly everyone from last year’s 14-0 team. The Broncos lost one starter and only two players that played last season with regularity making them deep and very experienced. As has become a BSU tradition, the competition for playing time is fierce pushing starters to be even better.
Let’s take a closer look inside the Broncos’ stalls.
Broncos on Offense:
The upfront workhorses make the offense go. The offensive line is very experienced with four returning junior starters, including 1st team All-WAC guard Nate Potter. This may be the most unique group of offensive linemen in the nation. Offensive line coach Chris Strausser has one goal: to identify the best five players regardless of position. The players say they aren't fazed by the game of musical chairs. For some of them, it's all they've ever known and, based on their record, they know a lot. Their knowledge is demonstrated by the time they allow for the passing game (12th in nation at 298 ypg) and the openings they create for BSU ball carriers (18th in the nation at nearly 230 ypg.). Combined, the Broncos are currently 4th in total offense. They have allowed just one QB sack over the first four games.
The rein master is junior QB Kellen Moore (6’0”, 191#) in the thick of the Heisman Trophy run. He has completed 66.4% of his passes for 1069 yards, 11 TDs and just 1 INT. “He’s so accurate, and he knows where to go with the ball on every single play, whether there’s pressure or not,” Wyoming coach Christensen said. “He understands what their offense is trying to do as far as exploiting the defense. He knows where to put the ball, and he makes great decisions with the football.” Moore is a passer who runs the ball as the last option. He’s done that a grand total of six times this year.
The running is left to a stable of RBs led by junior Doug Martin (5’9”, 212#) who is averaging 105 ypg (7.2 ypr.) Senior Jeremy Avery (5’9”, 174#) averaging 5.2 ypr and junior D.J. Harper (5’’9”, 208#) with 8.9 ypr provide the secondary thrust of the running attack. Think you need a 225+ pound RB in short yardage situations? Not with Doug Martin carrying the ball. He is always moving forward gaining yards after contact.
Fifteen Broncos have caught passes this year. Tops, by far, are seniors WRs Titus Young (5’11”, 175#) with 20 receptions (19.0 ypc) and 2 TDs and Austin Pettis (6’3”, 203#) with 18 grabs (14.1 ypc.) and a team leading 4 TDs. In the red zone, Pettis is Moore’s go-to-guy. The RBs are also involved in the Broncos aerial assault with Doug Martin catching 8 passes (13.5 ypc), D.J. Harper and Jeremy Avery combining for seven catches and 50 yards. Leading all receivers in yards per catch is sophomore WR Chris Potter (5’9”, 160#) with a 24.5 ypc average. TE Tommy Gallarda has five catches, two for TDs.
Close to two-thirds of the Bronco scoring occurs in the first half.
Broncos on Defense:
The Broncos rushing defense is ranked 5th allowing a bit less than 76 yards per game on a 2.08 ypc average for the opposition. Their pass defense is 10th in the nation yielding slightly less than 176 yards per game. Combined, the BSU defense ranks number one in the nation. (Second place belongs to Arizona.)
Leading the defense upfront are junior DT Billy Winn (6’4”, 288#) and senior DE Ryan Winterswyk (6’4”, 270#) Winn is a big play maker. He dominated Virginia Tech's offensive line until they doubled him. He's both fast and strong, and plays mean. Winterswyk is a walk on safety who added 45 pounds without losing much speed. He’s strong, smart and plays the run and rushes equally well. DE Shea McClellin (6’3”, 254#) leads the team with three sacks. SS Jeron Johnson leads BSU with 25 tackles. Thirteen other Broncos have recorded double-digit tackles. Defensive meetings are held on the field in bunches.
The secondary has given up just four touchdowns this year. So far this year, the Broncos have held opponents to under 52% passes completed with the safety and CB picking off two passes. This unit has a dozen pass break ups and 14 pass deflections. S George Iloka and CB Brandyn Thompson have three each in both categories.
Broncos Special Teams:
Senior Kyle Brotzman is 9 for 10 on his field goal attempts connecting on his last seven kicks plus he is 18 for 19 on PATs. Brotzman is also averaging 40.8 yards per punt. Most kickoffs are handled by Trevor Harman putting the ball inside the three yard line as a rule. Brotzman puts the ball inside the four when he is used to kickoff.
Kickoff coverage is solid holding opponents to a 20.9 ypr average and a season long of 40 yards but they did allow NMSU to start three possessions beyond their own 40 after kickoffs. Punt coverage squad has allowed three of the nine punts to be returned an average of 21 yards. The Broncos are averaging a hair less than 11 yards per punt return with WRs Mitch Burroughs and Titus Young handling most of the returns. Young returns kickoffs nearly 25 yards per return.
What To Look For:
• The Broncos to score early as is their habit - given their drop in the polls and the character of this team, they will not be looking past the Rockets
• Rockets to be wearing white uniforms
• Field position and Rockets’ favor not to be used in the same sentence during the broadcast
• More penalties by the Rockets (sigh) than the Broncos but not by many
• Another INT by the Rockets defense
• My photos of the game the following week
For the Rockets to be competitive they will have to score more than once in the first half against a team that has allowed just one TD in the first quarter all year.
GO ROCKETS!
Media Coverage
Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com
Television coverage provided by KTVB out of Boise and the WAC Sports Network. The game will also be available on ESPN's GamePlan. Kickoff at 8:00 pm (ET)
The 2010 BSU football edition features nearly everyone from last year’s 14-0 team. The Broncos lost one starter and only two players that played last season with regularity making them deep and very experienced. As has become a BSU tradition, the competition for playing time is fierce pushing starters to be even better.
Let’s take a closer look inside the Broncos’ stalls.
Broncos on Offense:
The upfront workhorses make the offense go. The offensive line is very experienced with four returning junior starters, including 1st team All-WAC guard Nate Potter. This may be the most unique group of offensive linemen in the nation. Offensive line coach Chris Strausser has one goal: to identify the best five players regardless of position. The players say they aren't fazed by the game of musical chairs. For some of them, it's all they've ever known and, based on their record, they know a lot. Their knowledge is demonstrated by the time they allow for the passing game (12th in nation at 298 ypg) and the openings they create for BSU ball carriers (18th in the nation at nearly 230 ypg.). Combined, the Broncos are currently 4th in total offense. They have allowed just one QB sack over the first four games.
The rein master is junior QB Kellen Moore (6’0”, 191#) in the thick of the Heisman Trophy run. He has completed 66.4% of his passes for 1069 yards, 11 TDs and just 1 INT. “He’s so accurate, and he knows where to go with the ball on every single play, whether there’s pressure or not,” Wyoming coach Christensen said. “He understands what their offense is trying to do as far as exploiting the defense. He knows where to put the ball, and he makes great decisions with the football.” Moore is a passer who runs the ball as the last option. He’s done that a grand total of six times this year.
The running is left to a stable of RBs led by junior Doug Martin (5’9”, 212#) who is averaging 105 ypg (7.2 ypr.) Senior Jeremy Avery (5’9”, 174#) averaging 5.2 ypr and junior D.J. Harper (5’’9”, 208#) with 8.9 ypr provide the secondary thrust of the running attack. Think you need a 225+ pound RB in short yardage situations? Not with Doug Martin carrying the ball. He is always moving forward gaining yards after contact.
Fifteen Broncos have caught passes this year. Tops, by far, are seniors WRs Titus Young (5’11”, 175#) with 20 receptions (19.0 ypc) and 2 TDs and Austin Pettis (6’3”, 203#) with 18 grabs (14.1 ypc.) and a team leading 4 TDs. In the red zone, Pettis is Moore’s go-to-guy. The RBs are also involved in the Broncos aerial assault with Doug Martin catching 8 passes (13.5 ypc), D.J. Harper and Jeremy Avery combining for seven catches and 50 yards. Leading all receivers in yards per catch is sophomore WR Chris Potter (5’9”, 160#) with a 24.5 ypc average. TE Tommy Gallarda has five catches, two for TDs.
Close to two-thirds of the Bronco scoring occurs in the first half.
Broncos on Defense:
The Broncos rushing defense is ranked 5th allowing a bit less than 76 yards per game on a 2.08 ypc average for the opposition. Their pass defense is 10th in the nation yielding slightly less than 176 yards per game. Combined, the BSU defense ranks number one in the nation. (Second place belongs to Arizona.)
Leading the defense upfront are junior DT Billy Winn (6’4”, 288#) and senior DE Ryan Winterswyk (6’4”, 270#) Winn is a big play maker. He dominated Virginia Tech's offensive line until they doubled him. He's both fast and strong, and plays mean. Winterswyk is a walk on safety who added 45 pounds without losing much speed. He’s strong, smart and plays the run and rushes equally well. DE Shea McClellin (6’3”, 254#) leads the team with three sacks. SS Jeron Johnson leads BSU with 25 tackles. Thirteen other Broncos have recorded double-digit tackles. Defensive meetings are held on the field in bunches.
The secondary has given up just four touchdowns this year. So far this year, the Broncos have held opponents to under 52% passes completed with the safety and CB picking off two passes. This unit has a dozen pass break ups and 14 pass deflections. S George Iloka and CB Brandyn Thompson have three each in both categories.
Broncos Special Teams:
Senior Kyle Brotzman is 9 for 10 on his field goal attempts connecting on his last seven kicks plus he is 18 for 19 on PATs. Brotzman is also averaging 40.8 yards per punt. Most kickoffs are handled by Trevor Harman putting the ball inside the three yard line as a rule. Brotzman puts the ball inside the four when he is used to kickoff.
Kickoff coverage is solid holding opponents to a 20.9 ypr average and a season long of 40 yards but they did allow NMSU to start three possessions beyond their own 40 after kickoffs. Punt coverage squad has allowed three of the nine punts to be returned an average of 21 yards. The Broncos are averaging a hair less than 11 yards per punt return with WRs Mitch Burroughs and Titus Young handling most of the returns. Young returns kickoffs nearly 25 yards per return.
What To Look For:
• The Broncos to score early as is their habit - given their drop in the polls and the character of this team, they will not be looking past the Rockets
• Rockets to be wearing white uniforms
• Field position and Rockets’ favor not to be used in the same sentence during the broadcast
• More penalties by the Rockets (sigh) than the Broncos but not by many
• Another INT by the Rockets defense
• My photos of the game the following week
For the Rockets to be competitive they will have to score more than once in the first half against a team that has allowed just one TD in the first quarter all year.
GO ROCKETS!
Media Coverage
Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com
Television coverage provided by KTVB out of Boise and the WAC Sports Network. The game will also be available on ESPN's GamePlan. Kickoff at 8:00 pm (ET)
New Football Commitment
The University of Toledo football program has picked up their 5th commitment in the 2011 recruiting class. The homecoming atmosphere was enough for Kishon Wilcher of Cass Tech in Detroit, MI to give Coach Beckman and the Rockets his commitment. Wilcher (5-8, 154) is an athlete that could play wide receiver, running back, or defensive back. However, he is expected to be a defensive back at Toledo. He has 4.4 speed in the forty yard dash.
Wilcher was being recruited by such schools as Toledo, Howard, Ball State, Illinois, Iowa, Stanford, Syracuse, Cincinnati, and Eastern Michigan. His only offers at the time of his commitment were from Toledo and Howard. He is Toledo's 3rd commitment from the state of Michigan. Rivals.com has him rated as a 3 star prospect, while Scout.com has him rated 2 stars.
Wilcher was being recruited by such schools as Toledo, Howard, Ball State, Illinois, Iowa, Stanford, Syracuse, Cincinnati, and Eastern Michigan. His only offers at the time of his commitment were from Toledo and Howard. He is Toledo's 3rd commitment from the state of Michigan. Rivals.com has him rated as a 3 star prospect, while Scout.com has him rated 2 stars.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Homecoming Thoughts
When a football team loses, the blame ultimately rests on the coaching staff. Toledo's 20-15 lost to Wyoming last night was a game Toledo should have won. There were plenty of opportunities. However, our problem last night was not coaching.
If it was coaching, we would have never put Owens in and we would not have made the adjustments needed to come back from a 20-0 deficit in the 3rd quarter to have a couple of changes to win the game at the end.
I disagree with things I've heard people say, that the coaching staff can't get the team up for a game after a big win. The defense was ready to play last night, and they played well right from the start. Wyoming scored 17 of their 20 points because of either the offense/ST or trick plays. After the fumble they started at our 24 yard line. Can't really blame the defense for that. After the offense couldn't do anything deep in their own end and we had just a 30 yard punt from our own goal line, Wyoming scored on a reverse-pass trick play. Then after the defense gets a stop, Wyoming does a fake punt and gets in position to get a field goal. That's 17 points that you really can't blame the defense on.
Our problem was simply execution on offense. A snap snafu on the offense's opening drive that led to an easy TD is one example. Several dropped passes on throws that were right at the numbers. Penalties up the ying yang. And so on.
Dantin has been too inconsistent, but I would expect that from a young QB. Last night he just was very ineffective. Owens came in and would have led the team to victory if not for 3 or 4 dropped passes that should have been caught. One big one was on 4th down late in the game in Wyoming territory.
As bad as we played last night, we win this game if we just execute a little better on offense. 1 of 14 on 3rd down conversions and dropping a first down pass on a 4th down play in the 4th quarter, along with several other dropped passes. That's not coaching, nor play calling. That's a lack of execution. The coaches can't go out on the field and play the game for the players.
Maybe we've been given inflated aspirations of this team because of the three game winning streak on the road, but the facts remain. This is a young team. We beat three poor teams. We're a year away from being the favorite in the MAC West.
Ball State dominated Central Michigan yesterday. They were winning 31-3 and ended up with a 31-17 victory. I originally thought NIU and CMU were the class of the West Division, with us right behind in similar stature to WMU and maybe BSU. Now I really believe the West is NIU's for the taking, with us, CMU, and BSU in the 2nd tier. That doesn't mean we can't win the West this year, but we're not going to be expected to win it.
But this young Rocket team is going to be awfully good next year. I said it before the season started, I said it after the Ohio game, and I still believe it today. Don't give up on this team and coaching staff.
If it was coaching, we would have never put Owens in and we would not have made the adjustments needed to come back from a 20-0 deficit in the 3rd quarter to have a couple of changes to win the game at the end.
I disagree with things I've heard people say, that the coaching staff can't get the team up for a game after a big win. The defense was ready to play last night, and they played well right from the start. Wyoming scored 17 of their 20 points because of either the offense/ST or trick plays. After the fumble they started at our 24 yard line. Can't really blame the defense for that. After the offense couldn't do anything deep in their own end and we had just a 30 yard punt from our own goal line, Wyoming scored on a reverse-pass trick play. Then after the defense gets a stop, Wyoming does a fake punt and gets in position to get a field goal. That's 17 points that you really can't blame the defense on.
Our problem was simply execution on offense. A snap snafu on the offense's opening drive that led to an easy TD is one example. Several dropped passes on throws that were right at the numbers. Penalties up the ying yang. And so on.
Dantin has been too inconsistent, but I would expect that from a young QB. Last night he just was very ineffective. Owens came in and would have led the team to victory if not for 3 or 4 dropped passes that should have been caught. One big one was on 4th down late in the game in Wyoming territory.
As bad as we played last night, we win this game if we just execute a little better on offense. 1 of 14 on 3rd down conversions and dropping a first down pass on a 4th down play in the 4th quarter, along with several other dropped passes. That's not coaching, nor play calling. That's a lack of execution. The coaches can't go out on the field and play the game for the players.
Maybe we've been given inflated aspirations of this team because of the three game winning streak on the road, but the facts remain. This is a young team. We beat three poor teams. We're a year away from being the favorite in the MAC West.
Ball State dominated Central Michigan yesterday. They were winning 31-3 and ended up with a 31-17 victory. I originally thought NIU and CMU were the class of the West Division, with us right behind in similar stature to WMU and maybe BSU. Now I really believe the West is NIU's for the taking, with us, CMU, and BSU in the 2nd tier. That doesn't mean we can't win the West this year, but we're not going to be expected to win it.
But this young Rocket team is going to be awfully good next year. I said it before the season started, I said it after the Ohio game, and I still believe it today. Don't give up on this team and coaching staff.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Homecoming Time and Hoops Update
The Rocket football team hosts Wyoming tomorrow night at 7:00pm in Toledo's homecoming game. Wyoming head coach Dave Christiansen was an assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Toledo when Gary Pinkel was the Rocket head coach. Also, Wyoming offensive line coach Jim Harding played football for Toledo, on the offensive line.
Toledo (3-1, 2-0) is a 3.5 point favorite, the first time this season they have been favored to win a game. Between 80-100 high school football prospects are expected to attend the game. Senior defensive end Alex Johnson and junior kicker Ryan Casano will both miss the Wyoming game with injuries. Casano is likely out for the rest of the season, while Johnson may be able to come back later in the year if his rehabilitation goes well.
After the Wyoming game, Toledo will turn their attention to the Boise State Broncos, for a match up with them in Boise, Idaho the following Saturday. After that Toledo has six regular season games remaining on the schedule, all conference games. Four of those six games will be at home.
The Rocket men's basketball program begins practices in two weeks. Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk is in his first season at Toledo. A brand new "Coach K" website, similar to football head coach Tim Beckman's site, will be unveiled in mid-October.
The Rockets open the season at home against Siena Heights in an exhibition game on October 30th. They will then host UM-Dearborn in another exhibition game on November 3rd, before opening the regular season in Champaign, IL against the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 10th.
Toledo (3-1, 2-0) is a 3.5 point favorite, the first time this season they have been favored to win a game. Between 80-100 high school football prospects are expected to attend the game. Senior defensive end Alex Johnson and junior kicker Ryan Casano will both miss the Wyoming game with injuries. Casano is likely out for the rest of the season, while Johnson may be able to come back later in the year if his rehabilitation goes well.
After the Wyoming game, Toledo will turn their attention to the Boise State Broncos, for a match up with them in Boise, Idaho the following Saturday. After that Toledo has six regular season games remaining on the schedule, all conference games. Four of those six games will be at home.
The Rocket men's basketball program begins practices in two weeks. Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk is in his first season at Toledo. A brand new "Coach K" website, similar to football head coach Tim Beckman's site, will be unveiled in mid-October.
The Rockets open the season at home against Siena Heights in an exhibition game on October 30th. They will then host UM-Dearborn in another exhibition game on November 3rd, before opening the regular season in Champaign, IL against the Illinois Fighting Illini on November 10th.
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