Montgomery, AL  – The Toledo Rockets enjoyed a mix of fun and football in their first full day in Montgomery as they prepare to face Appalachian State in the 2016 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl on Saturday (5:30 p.m. ET/ESPN).

The Rockets enjoyed a 30-minute tour of the Hyundai auto factory in the morning, then hit the practice field at nearby Huntingdon College for an afternoon practice. The day concluded with a southern barbecue dinner at Union Station in downtown Montgomery.

Head Coach Jason Candle said his team has been very pleased with the reception they've had in Montgomery. "The guys are enjoying good southern barbecue and the hospitality of the city of Montgomery," he said after Wednesday's practice.

Candle added he was pleased with his team's first practice in Alabama. Unlike in recent practices back in Toledo, The Rockets practiced outside in pleasant temperatures in the high 50's. It's hitting single digits back home in Toledo.

"We had a good spirited practice today, as usual," said Candle. "The weather is a little bit better than home. It's nice to be outside during practice where the ball doesn't hit the ceiling when you're kicking it."

Toledo is preparing for an Appalachian State team that went 9-3, with one of those losses in overtime at Tennessee. The Mountaineers are coached by Scott Satterfield, who spent the 2009 season with Candle as an assistant at Toledo.

"We're very close," Candle said of Satterfield. "We had some spirited noon-time hoops games when he was at Toledo. He's a great friend and I know he'll have his team ready to play…The only thing better than beating your enemies is beating your friends."

The Rockets will practice again on Thursday afternoon. In the morning, they will visit the Rosa Parks Museum.


Raycom Media Camellia Bowl - Day Two (Hyundai Tour)



Rockets' First Practice in Montgomery