UT/BG Photos

Photographer Paul Nelson has posted his full list of photos from the Toledo/Bowling Green football game. Click the link below to see the photo gallery.

UT/BG Photo Gallery

JUCO TE Commits

Colby Kratch of North Dakota State College of Science has committed to play football at the University of Toledo. Kratch is a 6-4, 245 pound tight end prospect with two years of eligibility remaining, plus a redshirt year if needed, giving him three years to play two.

Colby had 10 receptions for 99 yards and a TD in five games this year according to the North Dakota State College of Science website. He played his high school ball at Watertown-Mayer High School in Watertown, MN.

Let the Chips Fall Where They May ~ Rockets Entertain CMU in Glass Bowl Finale

The kickoff time for next Friday’s regular season finale was just announced yesterday. Game time is 2:00 pm ET. What hasn’t been determined is which Central Michigan team (3-8) will show up. Will it be the team that took pre-season MAC favorite Temple into overtime before losing by three or the CMU squad that missed a two-point conversion that would have given them an upset over Navy last Saturday? Or will it be the Chippewas who lost to Ball State, Miami and Bowling Green, all at Kelly/Shorts stadium?

One thing’s for sure, first year CMU head coach Dan Enos’s squad is having a rough season highlighted by a six-game losing streak running from late September through the month of October. This performance has been anything but expected for last year’s MAC Champions.

The Chippewas on Offense:
Injuries along the offensive line have resulted in a shuffling of players and positions. Losing two starting left tackles and a right guard for the season will have that effect. The impact of these loses on the Chippewas running and passing games have been significant. The Chips have rushed for just 1,206 while allowing 32 sacks.

A bright spot for CMU is the play of first year starter QB Quarterback Ryan Radcliff. He has surpassed the 3,000 yard mark in passing yardage completing 59.5% of his throws. He is coming off a superb game against Navy, completing 36 of 58 passes for 394 yards and three touchdowns. Radcliff’s favorite target is WR Cody Wilson, who has 73 receptions for 1,028 yards and 5 TDs. The Radcliff-to-Wilson connection lit up Navy’s secondary to the tune of 13 catches for 126 yards. Five other receivers have between 20 and 38 catches each. Tight end David Blackburn has 20 catches including three for TDs.

Jr. RB Paris Cotton (5’9”, 179#) is the top rusher with a 4.7 ypr and a team-leading six TDs. RBs Carl Volny (5.1 ypr) and Zurlon Tipton (3.8 ypr) back up Cotton. As a team, the Chips are ranked 105th in rushing.

The Chippewas on Defense:
The leaders of the Chip’s D are LBs Matt Berning and Nick Bellore, the top two tacklers. Berning has 13.5 TFL and a team high four sacks.

The Chips defensive unit has tallied 20 sacks, only two less than the Rockets. They have been, however, susceptible to giving up big plays. Their red zone defense has been suspect as well giving up points 81% of the time. Losing a starting CB also hurt the secondary.

Chippewas on Special Teams:
Cody Wilson is a sure handed punt return player. Zurlon Tipton and Kito Poblah handled kickoff returns averaging 20+ yards per return. Brett Hartmann has a solid 40.1 ypp average. He also handles kickoffs putting 27% of them into the end zone for touchbacks.

David Hartman is the third field goal kicker used this season. He’s 8 for 11 making all of his field goals inside of forty yards out.

CMU kickoff coverage is better that their punt return coverage.

What to look for:
• Cody Wilson to be used on the jet sweep or WR reverse
• A fake punt by CMU . . . and possibly by the Rockets
• Multiple sacks by the Rockets
• Rockets needing 27+ points for the win
• The game to be decided in the fourth quarter, one that has favored CMU this year
• Eric Page to have a at least one punt return of more than 10 yards
• At least one INT for the Rockets
• Rockets defense will limit the Chips running game making them primarily a passing team similar to BG
• Rockets to have a good ground game

GO ROCKETS!

Media Coverage
Live coverage on ESPN3 on your PC or MAC.
Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com Audio also available on the Rocket Sports Network (WJMO-AM 1300 Cleveland and WDTW-AM 1310 Detroit).

Kickoff at 2:07 pm (ET)

Weather Forecast:
Chilly and sunny with high of 33° (feels like 16°); N winds of 16 mph with gusts to 32 mph. Bundle up with spirit and a few close friends.

UT/BG Photos

Here are some photos from the game last night. Photos taken by Paul Nelson.

Countdown ~ Rockets Welcome Falcons to the Glass Bowl

For football fans in Northwest Ohio, the back-to-back mid-week EPSN2 games were hard to watch. Nature played a role in the viewers’ difficulties. On Tuesday, it was the nature of the play of the Rockets that was hard to watch.

On Wednesday, the fog made it hard to even see the players.

Those games are over and it’s time to focus on the annual Battle of I-75, a game with a long history and one which is a target contest for both teams beginning in spring practice. I’m sure Coach Clawson would like nothing better than to knock off the Rockets in the Glass Bowl to provide some spark to an otherwise disappointing campaign. Coach Beckman knows full well the historical importance of this game having coached on both sides now (queue Joni Mitchell.) Beyond history, this game portends more for the Rockets immediate future, securing a winning record and an almost certain bowl bid. While the goal this year was getting to the MAC championship game, these alternative accomplishments would be very noteworthy in Coach Beckman’s second year.

The Falcons on Offense:

Injuries along the offensive line has made every point scored by the Brown and Orange, a most cherished event, topping 20 points only once in the last three games. And its’ no wonder with their rushing offense ranked at the bottom of NCAA current statistics with a 2.03 yard per carry average. The Falcon air game is significantly better garnering nearly 234 yard per game via the pass. One key example is in the last three games, a different center has started for the Falcons.

Senior RB Willie Jeter (5’8”, 176#) has more than half of BG’s rushes with a 3.5 ypc average. Freshman RB Jordan Hopgood (6’0”, 200#), while averaging less than two yards per tote, is used in short yardage situations. Hopgood has crossed the goal line six times, the same as Jeter.

Freshman QB Matt Schilz (6’2”, 212#) has been the Falcon starter from game one, missing two games with a shoulder injury. Ranked as the fifth best QB recruit of non-BCS schools, Schliz has performed admirably. While completing 60.4% of his passes, Schilz ranks 12^th nationally in passes completed per game at 23+. His 9 INTs to 5 TD passes stat is noteworthy putting his passing efficiency at the bottom of the statistical heap. A large percentage of the BG aerial attack is via the screen pass to running backs, tight ends and wide outs. One reason is to offset the number of QB sacks, 27 and counting, taken by BG QBs.

JC transfer WR Kamar Jorden (6’3”, 196#)) has nearly 37% of all Falcon receptions averaging 8 grabs per game and more than 92 yards per game putting him in the top five receivers in the nation in total catches. By way of comparison, Eric page is averaging 7.3 catches per game accounting for nearly 43% of Rocket receptions. WRs Tyrone Pronty, Calvin Wiley, and RB Jeter have collectively tallied 75 grabs.

The Falcons on Defense:

The secondary has taken some hits this year with a starter losing his position and then regaining it; a starting CB going out in the Kent State game with an ankle injury and yet to return; a starting FS out with a should injury followed by a concussion; and another CB (team leader in passes defended) being dismissed from the team. Despite this turmoil, the Falcon pass defense is allowing some 20 yards per game fewer than the Rockets. The major problem for Coach Clawson’s defensive unit is stopping the run where they rank just above the bottom 10 of the nation.

The BG D is led by LBs Dwayne Woods (tops in total tackles with 111 to go with two forced fumbles and eight passes defended) and Eugene Fells (tops with 8.5 TFL). Upfront, DT Chris Jones is the sack leader with 6.0 and has 7.5 TFL while DT Darius Smith has accounted for three of the team’s eight QB hurries. The secondary is led by S Jovan Leacock with a second best 83 tackles with S Keith Morgan leading the Falcons in picks with three.

The switching of defensive personnel has been an issue in the last couple games or so with injuries and that suspension. Still, the Falcons find a way to stay in most of their games and hang in ‘til the end.

The Falcons Special Teams:

The field goal duties have been shifted from Bryan Wright (4 for 9, missing every kick 30 yards and beyond) to Kyle Burkhardt (1 for 2, missing from 43 yards against Miami.)

Wright also handles the punting with the coverage team allowing 9.4 yards per return; less than half his punts have been returned. PR Eugene Cooper, back from an ankle tweak, does a good job returning punts and has taken one the distance for six points. Wright handles the kickoffs with more than one in five kickoffs resulting in a touchback. Kickoff coverage for the Falcons has been good holding opponents to about 20 yards per return. Tyrone Pronty and Boo Boo Gates share kickoff returns, both averaging between 20 and 25 yards per return. Gates has gone to the house on a season long 75 yard return.

What to look for:

• Tight end screen when freshman Alex Bayer comes into the game
• Wide open play calling - what else would you expect from a BG v UT game?
• Jordan Hopgood running out of the wildcat formation
• Lots of screen pass plays from BG
• BG to test the Rockets’ flanks with sweeps and sideline passes
• Rockets to return their running game in fine fashion in the Glass Bowl
• Too many penalties on both teams
• Turnovers to favor the Rockets by two or more
• Rockets will have more sacks than they allow
• The game will be close into the fourth quarter

This is always more than a game for both teams. While some Rocket players may have not been aware that they were playing in a homecoming game against Wyoming, there will be no such misunderstanding the importance of THE RIVALRY in Northwestern Ohio. A rivalry both teams and their fans get to share with the nation on ESPN2.

I've looked at life from both sides now,
From win and lose, and still somehow
It's life's illusions I recall.
I really don't know life at all. “Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell

GO ROCKETS!

Media Coverage

Televised on ESPN2 HD College Football Primetime at 8:00 pm (ET)

Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com Audio also available on the Rocket Sports Network (WJMO-AM 1300 Cleveland and WDTW-AM 1310 Detroit). For a Bird’s eye perspective tune into WFAL.

Kickoff at 8:07 pm (ET)

Weather Forecast:

Chilly, high of 49° (feels like 43°), low of 37° (feels like 25°) with occasional evening rain

and drizzle, SWS winds of 16 mph with gusts to 24 mph. 

Bundle up with spirit. The country will be watching!

Game On! Rockets Battle Huskies for MAC West Lead

The talk and expectations this week will give way on the second Tuesday of November. No question this will be the Rockets biggest game in several years. While Northern Illinois was viewed in August as the team poised to challenge for the MAC West title, most had Toledo picked to finish in the middle of the West pack at best. Given six years of sub .500 records, I suspect not many in Rocket Nation, in their heart of hearts, envisioned the Rockets with a perfect 5-0 conference record entering November.

For both the Huskies and the Rockets, this has been a season which has unfolded much as coaching staffs and players have envisioned from the beginning of the year. The Huskies have performed up to expectations but I’m guessing that they would like to replay the Iowa State game much as the Rockets would like to have a re-do with Wyoming. But that’s not what players and coaches are thinking about now. That’s yesterday’s history. The focus is on making history beginning at Huskie Stadium.

Northern Illinois on Offense:

These Huskies love to run and it shows. They have put up at least 200 rushing yardage in each of their last six games, all Ws. The ground game combines a major dose of Chad Spann (1,000 rushing yards) and a big splash of Chandler Harnish (559 yards) followed by a big dashes of Cameron Bell (6-foot-2, 242-pound) and backup QB Jordan Lynch. Bell has 91 yards last two games while Lynch had racked up 133 yards on12 carries over the last five weeks.

Senior TB Span (5’9”, 198#) leads the MAC in rushing yardage averaging 5.5 yards per carry. He is currently ranked number 11 among all NCAA rushers averaging 111.11 yards per game. QB Harnish is averaging 5.8 yards per carry with Lynch, NIU’s smaller version of David Pasquale, averaging 11.1 yards per carry. With all this running around, the Huskies have nearly doubled their opponents on the ground.

But this year’s NIU team is far from being one-dimensional. Harnish has completed 65.8% of his passes with 12 TD tosses and just 4 INTs. He has the highest passing efficiency rating (147.31) in the MAC per NCAA rankings. With his arm and legs he’s compiling 222 yards of offense per game. Of note, with limited action, Terrance Owens has a passing efficiency rating of 181.12%.

Two of the Huskies’ concerns coming into this season were lack of experience at wide receiver and along the OL.

The receiving corps has jelled into a group of four WRs who have caught more than half of Chandler Harnish’s tosses. Their range of receptions is 21 -26 averaging between 10 to 15 yards per reception. They have caught 12 of the 13 NIU TD passes and accumulated 75% of the passing yardage.

Despite losing All MAC linemen at center and left guard, the Huskies’ OL has not missed a major beat. Their run blocking is excellent and they are allowing, on average, just one sack a game, tied with OU, for tops in the MAC. They have allowed just four QB hurries, another impressive stat.

Northern Illinois on Defense:

With nine returning starters from last year’s top ranked defense in the MAC, this unit is playing their stingy selves again. They are allowing just 216 yards per game in the air and 126 yards on the ground which is only 10 yards per game more than the Rockets. They have two less INTs (14) that UT.

Veteran DE Jake Coffman is the leader of the defense with a team best 7 TFL but he is getting a lot of support from a trio of very good line backers. Collectively, they have more than 1/4 of all tackles. CB Chris Smith leads the secondary with 3 INTs and 9 PD.

The Huskies are also in the top 20 nationally in defending their red zone as are the Rockets.

Northern Illinois on Special Teams:

K Michael Cklamovskiff has been inconsistent connecting on just 11 of 18 from 20 yards out. Punt and kickoff coverage are a bit subpar compared to the other NIU defensive efforts. P Josh Wilber has helped with punt covering by having nearly 40% of his punts fair caught.

Kickoff and punt returns are both averaging less than NIU’s opponents so when stacked against the offense as a whole, this is not a Huskie strength.

What to Look For:

Two evenly matched teams in many aspects. Both are good defending against the run and a somewhat suspect against the pass. While NIU has shown a consistent ground game, the Rockets are capable of moving the ball on the ground. QB Harnish has to be considered the front runner for All-MAC QB. That said, TO has performed at a very high level filling in for Austin Dantin against EMU.

· the Rockets to use the pass to set up the run

· the outside containment of the Rockets keeping Spann and Harnish working in the middle of the field

· another long kickoff return by the Rockets

· few penalties for both teams – six or less per team

· quick pass plays from both teams to counter defensive rushes

· a few deep routes from both squads but not many

· Rockets to win the take away battle

· NIU to go all out to block one or two of Vince Penza’s punts

· Jerry Kill doing a spot-on impersonation of Pat Hill along the sidelines

GO ROCKETS!

Media Coverage

Televised on ESPN2 HD College Football Primetime at 7:00 pm (ET) with Beth Mowins doing play-by-play and David Norrie and Robert Smith doing analysis

Live Internet audio coverage is available via RocketVision and WSPD.com Audio also available on the Rocket Sports Network (WJMO-AM 1300 Cleveland and WDTW-AM 1310 Detroit)

Internet video coverage provided by All-MAC Access and RocketVision for Rocket Nation fans outside the Toledo area. Kickoff at 7:07 pm (ET)