Rockets Head to Mount Pleasant to Battle Central Michigan

Toledo travels to Central Michigan this Saturday for another critical MAC West Division matchup.

   The Rockets (4-1, 1-0 MAC) out-battled West division foe Eastern Michigan, 20-15, at the Glass Bowl on Oct. 7 but also suffered a big loss in the process.. The outcome was not decided until sophomore safety Kahlil Robinson picked off his second pass of the game with less than a minute to play.

   Senior quarterback Logan Woodside completed 23-of-34 passes for 289 yards to lead the Rockets over the Eagles. However, Woodside's favorite target, senior WR Cody Thompson, was injured early in the game and never returned. It was later confirmed that Thompson suffered a broken leg and will not return this season.

   Woodside ranks first in the MAC in passing yards (327.0) and passing efficiency (163.4). With Thompson out, his top targets are now sophomore Diontae Johnson (28 receptions, 16.4 yards per catch, five TDs) and junior Jon'Vea Johnson (16 receptions, 14.2 ypc). Senior Terry Swanson (355 yards) and sophomore Art Thompkins (337 yards) lead the Toledo rushing attack.

   Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1 MAC) is coming off a big win at Ohio. The Chippewas forced four turnovers on their way to defeating the defending MAC East champs, 26-23. Senior QB Shane Morris completed 25-of-35 passes for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Morris, a transfer from Michigan, ranks second in the MAC behind Logan Woodside with 264.2 yards passing per game.

Toledo vs. Central Michigan

• TEAM RECORDS:
   Toledo (4-1, 1-0 MAC)
   Central Michigan (3-3, 1-1 MAC)

• SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads, 24-18-3. The Rockets won at home last year, 31-17, and have won seven consecutive games in the series.

• THE COACHES:
   Jason Candle, 14-5 (2nd year) at Toledo, same overall. 1-0 vs. CMU.
   John Bonamego, 16-16 (3rd year) at CMU, same overall. 0-2 vs. Toledo.

• TV/STREAMING: ESPN3
   Play by Play: Dave Weekly
   Analyst: Marcus Ray

• ROCKET RADIO NETWORK: Pregame begins at 2:00 p.m.
   Play by Play: Brent Balbinot
   Analyst: Bruce Gradkowski
   Sidelines: Mike Robinson

• WEB-AUDIO: Free live audio streaming of the UT Rocket Radio Network broadcast on UTRockets.com.

• UT COACH'S SHOW: Coach Jason Candle and host Brent Balbinot talk Rocket Football every Monday from 6-7 p.m. at Frickers in Maumee. Carried live on WSPD-AM1370 and online on UTRockets.com.

• TWITTER:
   @ToledoFB: Regular updates on UT Football, live updates on Game Day.
   @UTPaulHelgren: Regular updates on UT Football.
   @ToledoRockets: Updates for all Rocket sports.

Rocket Round-Up
• Toledo (4-1, 1-0 MAC) is coming off a 20-15 win over Eastern Michigan on Homecoming on Oct. 7.
• Toledo leads the series with Central Michigan, 24-18-3. The Rockets won at home last year, 31-17, and have won seven consecutive games in the series, including three straight games in Mount Pleasant.
• Toledo leads the MAC in total offense (501.2) and passing offense (327.4)
• With 289 passing yards, Logan Woodside became the third player in Toledo history to eclipse 8,000 career passing yards. He now has 8,267 passing yards in his career, moving him into second place all-time in Toledo history, passing Terrance Owens (8,203 yards, 2010-13).
• Woodside leads the MAC in passing yards (327.0) and passing efficiency (163.4).
•Sophomore defensive back Kahlil Robinson had two interceptions vs. EMU in his first collegiate start, including one in the final minute to clinch the victory.
• Sophomore running back Art Thompkins had his first career start vs. EMU in place of the injured Terry Swanson. Thompkins tied his career high with 15 carries for 94 yards and scored his first touchdown of the season.
• Redshirt freshman running back Shakif Seymour ran the ball a career-high 17 times for 55 yards and one score.
• Senior Cody Thompson suffered a broken leg in the EMU game and will not return this season. Thompson ends his Toledo career with 133 receptions for 2,665 yards and 20 touchdown receptions. He ranks sixth in career receiving yardage at UT, eighth in TD catches, 14th in receptions and second in yards per catch (20.0).

Head Coach Jason Candle previews the Central Michigan game.

Logan Woodside previews the Central Michigan game.

Elijah Nkansah previews the Central Michigan game.

Rockets Head to Mount Pleasant to Battle Central Michigan

Players Mentioned

Diontae Johnson

Jon'Vea Johnson

Elijah Nkansah

Kahlil Robinson

Shakif Seymour

Terry Swanson

Art Thompkins

Cody Thompson

Logan Woodside

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