Hall of Fame
Tavares Bolden was a two-time All-MAC quarterback, leading the Rockets to two MAC West Division titles as well as a MAC Championship crown in 2001. He was a first-team All-MAC selection in 2000 and earned second-team honors in 2001. The Rockets were 24-5 in games in which he was the starting quarterback. In his final three games in 1999, Bolden led the Rockets to three consecutive victories, setting the tone for the next two seasons. In 2000, Bolden led Toledo to a 10-1 mark, including a 24-6 romp over Penn State and a share of the MAC West Division crown. He earned first-team All-MAC honors, completing 57 percent of his passes for 1,597 yards and 13 TDs against just four interceptions. He also ran for 464 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per carry, and five touchdowns. His numbers were even better in 2001, as he led Toledo to a 10-2 mark, including a MAC Championship and a 24-16 victory over Cincinnati in the Motor City Bowl. He completed 214-of-319 passes, setting a then-MAC record for completion percentage (67.1%). He threw for 2,466 yards and 13 scores, and also ran for 335 yards and four touchdowns. He came up big in his final game as a Rocket, rushing for 99 yards in the bowl win over Cincinnati, including bolts of 41 yards and a 28-yard TD run. Bolden, who made the MAC Academic Honor Roll in 2000, went on to play three seasons in the CFL with the Montreal Allouettes.
