2000 University of Toledo Football Outlook
3/27/2000 12:00:00 PM | Football
March 27, 2000
Gary Pinkel hated to see 1999 end when it did.
No, the Toledo football coach had nothing against the coming of the new millennium. It's just that by the end of the 1999 campaign, his Rockets had clearly regained the winning formula that had made it the most successful Mid-American Conference football program in the 1990's.
Following Toledo's 45-21 victory over MAC West Division champion Western Michigan on the final day of the season last year, it was clear that Toledo was hitting on all cylinders on both sides of the ball. The Rockets did not merely win, they won in dominating fashion.
Toledo won its final three games against teams that at the time were ahead of the Rockets in the MAC West standings. UT defeated Central Michigan, Northern Illinois and Western Michigan by an average of 24.3 points. The Rockets running game alone accounted for an average of 395 yards in the three wins, while quarterback Tavares Bolden (Cleveland, OH-Glenville) completed 40-72 (.556) of his passes and did not yield a single interception. The defense held the opposition to just an average of 101.3 yards rushing in those games.
No wonder Pinkel hated to see 1999 end. And it's no surprise that he's just as eager to see 2000 begin.
Toledo opens the 2000 spring practice season loaded with 20 returning starters. Among the returnees are starters at tailback, quarterback, all the wide receiver positions and the entire defensive line.
If the Rockets can maintain the momentum from the end of the last millennium, then the 2000 season could be very enjoyable for Pinkel and company.
Here's a brief look at how Toledo shapes up going into 2000 spring drills:
Offense
The Rockets return their offense nearly intact from 1999. Ten starters are back, with only All-MAC offensive tackle Colin Westrich and tight end Mike Bilik needing to be replaced.
Senior All-America and Doak Walker candidate Chester Taylor (River Rouge, MI-River Rouge) leads a superb trio of tailbacks. Despite playing most of the season with sprains to both ankles, Taylor was brilliant in 1999, gaining 1,176 yards and averaging 6.5 yards per carry, second-best average in the nation. Junior William Bratton (Lima, OH-Lima) is a rugged, straight-ahead runner who gained 486 yards last year. Junior Antwon McCray (Carnegie, PA-Westinghouse) stepped in the rotation when Taylor was hurt, and the running game hardly missed a beat. McCray gained 424 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry.
Bolden, a junior, returns as the signal-caller after throwing for eight touchdowns and 1,354 yards as a sophomore. Bolden, who took over the starting spot in the fifth game of 1999, is a dangerous runner. He totaled 365 yards on the ground last year, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He was elusive behind the line of scrimmage, too, as he was sacked just six times. Redshirt freshman Keon Frazier (East Chicago, IN-Central) is Bolden's back-up.
Bolden will have plenty of targets to throw at this fall as the entire wide receiving corps is back. Leading the receivers are seniors Mel Long (Toledo, OH-Scott), and Lyle Green (Kitchener, ONT-Eastwood). Long, who had 47 receptions and four TDs in 1999, has caught at least one pass in every game he has played (35), tied for the longest current streak in the nation. Green caught 35 passes and scored three touchdowns out of the R-Back position.
Toledo's trio of freshmen wide receivers from a year ago-Dontà Greene (Springfield, OH-South), Carl Ford (Monroe, MI-Monroe) and Manny Johnson (River Rouge, MI-River Rouge)-are a year wiser and ready to roll. Greene caught 29 passes, Ford had 15 catches and Johnson came back from a broken collarbone to register 13 receptions.
The improvement on the offensive line last year was a big reason for Toledo's late-season surge. Not only did the line create gaping holes for Toledo's tailbacks, it also did a fine job of protecting the quarterbacks, yielding just eight sacks. Westrich will have to be replaced, but with four starters back from 1999, the front line should be solid in 2000.
The backbone of line is a pair of 305-pound seniors, Jim Harding (Maumee, OH-Maumee) and Michael Schaefer (Yorkville, IL-Yorkville). Harding has started 35 consecutive games at strong tackle, while Schaefer has started 19 games in the past two seasons at guard. Other returning starters on the O-line are junior center Nick Otterbacher (Mansfield, OH-Orchard Lake [MI] St. Mary's) and Matt Comer (Strongsville, OH-Strongsville).
Toledo's production at tight end suffered last season due to various injuries to All-MAC tight end Mike Bilik. Bilik's graduation leaves competition open for his spot between junior Jason Spiece (Midland, MI-H.H. Dow) and sophomore Greg Grothous (Delphos, OH-St. John's).
Defense
Toledo's defense was very solid in 1999, ranking second in the MAC in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense. With eight starters returning, including senior All-MAC defensive end DeJuan Goulde (Euclid, OH-Euclid) and senior All-MAC linebacker Kevin Rollins (Twinsburg, OH-Chamberlin), the Rockets' "D" should be formidable once again.
Goulde and Rollins were a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks last season. The deadly duo combined for 35 tackles for loss and 21 sacks to pace the Rocket defense. Goulde, who earned first-team All-MAC as a junior after gaining second-team honors in 1998, had 10 sacks among his 84 tackles. Rollins, who made second-team all-league last year, had 11 sacks among his 95 tackles.
Goulde is the best of a talented and deep defensive line. Joining Goulde up front are five returning juniors, Jake McLean (Grand Ledge, MI-Grand Ledge), Leo Frierson (Fostoria, OH-Fostoria), David Bockmore (Strongsville, OH-Strongsville), Phil Gibson (Burlington, ON-Robinson) and Sameer Hamood (Dearborn, MI-Fordson). McLean started 10 games last year and had 51 tackles and four sacks, Frierson had 48 tackles and five sacks, and started nine games, Bockmore came on strong, starting two of the last four games, and totaling 25 tackles, Gibson had 24 tackles and started one game, and Hamood missed three games with an elbow injury but battled back to start four of the last five contests, making 24 tackles.
Rollins leads a veteran linebacking corps that will have to find a way to fill the void left by the departure of Jason Lamar, a two-time All-MAC honoree. Rollins had a big year statistically in 1999, and now Pinkel will need him to step up and fill a leadership role with the team.
Rollins will have plenty of experience lining up next to him at linebacker. Sophomore David Gardner (Ellwood City, PA-Lincoln) is a strong candidate to start at one inside position. Gardner made an impact as a freshman, with 59 tackles and three starts. Sophomore Tom Ward (Defiance, OH-Defiance) and junior Jason Manson (Troy, OH-Troy) are also experienced inside linebackers who should be vying for playing time. On the outside, senior Ira Singleton (Benton Harbor, MI-Benton Harbor) returns at rover, where he was fourth on the team with 72 tackles and broke up nine passes. Corey Morris (Berkley, MI-Berkley) had 29 tackles last year and is a top candidate at the whip position.
The secondary is probably the least experienced area of the defense so the battles for playing time will be intense. Junior free safety Andy Boyd (Toledo, OH-Whitmer) is the veteran of the corps but will miss spring drills due to surgery on both shoulders. Boyd had 61 tackles and three interceptions in 1999 despite playing with a broken rib and two separated shoulders. Vying for the cornerback positions will be seniors Fabian Burke (Kitchener, ONT-Cameron Heights) and Marcus Hill (Southfield, MI-Detroit St. Martin DePorres), junior James Stanley (Jackson, MI-Jackson), sophomores Jehu Anderson (Oberlin, OH-Oberlin), Tony Miller (Lorain, OH-Southview), and redshirt freshmen Brandon Hefflin (Pittsburgh, PA-Penn Hills) and David Mentlow (Kent, OH-Roosevelt).
Special Teams
Pinkel has identified special teams play as an area that needs improvement in 2000. While the Rockets have a fine placekicker in junior Todd France (Maumee, OH-Springfield) and an improving punter in sophomore John Manly (Shaker Heights, OH-Shaker Heights), the other areas of the kicking game did not live up to Pinkel's standards.
France made second-team All-MAC, nailing 18-of-26 field goals, including a school-record tying 51-yarder. Manly's average of 35.6 yards per punt wasn't eye-catching, but thanks to good down-field coverage, Toledo's net punting average of 34.5 yards per punt was sixth-best in the MAC.
On the receiving side of the ball, however, the Rockets were 12th in the league in kickoff returns, averaging just 18.4 yards per return. In punt returns, the Rockets were 11th, averaging just 7.0 yards per return. And despite added emphasis on rushing the punter, the Rockets blocked just one punt in 1999.
2000 Rocket Notebook
20 STARTERS BACK FOR ROCKETS, INCLUDING ALL-MAC TAILBACK CHESTER TAYLOR
Of the 25 listed starters for Toledo last season, 20 are back this year, as well as 51 players from the 60-man travel squad from the last game of 1999. Toledo listed 25 starters (offense, defense, kickers) from last year because its offense lists 12 starters. The H-back and R-Back positions alternate in the offense, both positions list starters on offense.
Among the returning starters are four All-MAC selections from 1999: senior tailback Chester Taylor, defensive end DeJuan Goulde, linebacker Kevin Rollins and kicker Todd France.
A look by position also is encouraging. No. 1 quarterback Tavares Bolden is back, both of Taylor's backup tailbacks, William Bratton and Antwon McCray, are returning, the entire defensive line is back, and all the wide receivers are back.
Only at linebacker and offensive line are the Rockets losing more than one starter: linebackers Jason Lamar and Keith Travis, and offensive linemen Colin Westrich and Greg Peters (part-time starter).
ROCKETS GOING FOR SEVENTH STRAIGHT WINNING SEASON IN 2000
The Rockets will take aim on their seventh consecutive winning season in 2000. Since a 4-7 record in 1993, Toledo has reeled off six straight winning seasons, compiling a 46-21-2 (.667) mark in that period.
ROCKETS OPEN SEASON AT PENN STATE, HOME SLATE FEATURES GAMES WITH MARSHALL, BOWLING GREEN
Toledo faces a huge challenge in its season opener, traveling to Penn State on Sept. 2. The Nittany Lions were 10-3 last season and finished the season ranked No. 11 in both polls. UT's other non-conference road game is an Oct. 28 trip to Annapolis, MD to face Navy (5-7 in 1999).
The Rockets return to Toledo on Sept. 9 for their home opener with Division I-AA Weber State. Other key home games are an Oct. 14 meeting with three-time MAC champion Marshall, and a Nov. 22 matchup with arch-rival Bowling Green. The BG game will be played on a Wednesday night and is scheduled to be broadcast on ESPN2.
SPRING M*A*S*H REPORT
The following Rockets will miss spring drills or will see limited action due to injuries or off-season sugeries:
Will miss spring
Andy Boyd (FS): Shoulder surgery (both)
Michael Schaefer (OL): Ankle surgery
Darric Randolph (OL): Broken foot
Sameer Hamood (DL): Shoulder surgery
Limited participation
Chester Taylor (TB): Ankle surgery
CHESTER TAYLOR RECEIVES TREATMENT FOR HIS ANKLES
Senior tailback Chester Taylor underwent off-season treatment to strengthen the ligaments surrounding his right ankle. The treatment is called "prolotherapy," and works by injecting calcium glutenate or other fluids into the ligaments to make them stronger.
As a result of Taylor's treatment, he will be restricted to limited particpation in spring drills. If his right ankle responds successfully, Taylor may also have prolotherapy done to his left ankle, according to UT Head Athletic Trainer Dave Huffstetler.
Taylor suffered from numerous sprains to both ankles in 1999, causing him to miss most of three games and play in pain in others.
CHESTER TAYLOR NATION'S SIXTH-LEADING RETURNING RUSHER, SECOND IN YARDS PER CARRY
Toledo senior Chester Taylor is the nation's sixth-leading returning rusher in Division I-A. He is also second among returners to TCU's Ladainian Tomlinson in yards per carry. The top 10 returners are listed below, ranked by yards per game.
NCAA Division I-A Returning Rushing Leaders
Player Att. Yds. Avg. Ypg.
1. Ladainian Tomlinson, TCU (Sr.) 268 1850 6.9 168.18
2. Lamont Jordan, Maryland (Sr.) 266 1632 6.1 148.36
3. Ken Simonton, Oreg. St. (Jr.) 276 1329 4.8 120.82
4. Anthony Thomas, Michigan (Sr.) 283 1257 4.4 114.27
5. Avon Cobourne, W. Virginia (So.) 224 1139 5.1 113.90
6. Chester Taylor, Toledo (Sr.) 182 1176 6.5 106.91
7. Hodges Mitchell, Texas (Sr.) 255 1346 5.3 103.54
8. Damien Anderson, Northwestern (Sr.) 306 1128 3.7 102.55
9. William Andrews, N. Illinois (Sr.) 240 1127 4.7 102.45
10. Cedric Washington, Boston Coll. (Sr.) 222 1122 5.1 102.00
Research: University of Toledo Sports Information Office
TAYLOR, BRATTON RETURN AS FOURTH-LEADING RETURNING RUSHING TANDEM
Toledo tailback tandem of Chester Taylor and William Bratton is the nation's fourth-leading returning rushing duo. Each running back must have had a minimum of 100 carries or 9.1 carries per game.
2000 NCAA Division I-A Top Returning Rushing Tandems
Minimum 100 carries per rusher or 9.1 carries per game for each rusher
School Player Player Total
1. Virgina Tech Shyrone Stith (Sr.) - 1,119 Andre Kendrick (Sr.) - 645 1,764
2. Mississippi Joe Gunn (Jr.) - 951 Deuce McAllister (Sr.) - 809 1,760
3. Navy Raheem Lambert (Jr.) - 897 Brian Madden (Jr.) - 790 1,687
4. Toledo Chester Taylor (Sr.) - 1,176 William Bratton (Jr.) - 486 1,662
5. Fresno State Derrick Ward (So.) - 824 Paris Gaines (Jr.) - 662 1,486
6. Miami (FL) Clinton Portis (So.) - 777 James Jackson (Sr.) - 708 1,485
7. Syracuse Dee Brown (Sr.) - 741 James Mungro (Jr.) - 537 1,278
8. Vanderbilt Rodney Williams (Jr.) - 644 Jared McGrath (Sr.) - 575 1,219
9. Georgia Jasper Sanks (Jr.) - 896 Quincy Carter (Jr.) - 255 1,151
10. Bowling Green Joe Alls (So.) - 592 Godfrey Lewis (Jr.) - 500 1,092
Research: University of Mississippi Sports Information Office
ROCKETS FINISH DECADE WITH MOST MAC WINS
Toledo can lay claim to being the MAC's team of the 1990's by virtue of its 54 league wins, the most of any school, and four league titles. Toledo also had the most overall wins of any MAC school in the 90's with 72.
Toledo won the MAC championship outright in 1995, won a share of the title in 1990, and won MAC Division titles in 1997 and 1998. The Rockets also claimed second-place finishes in 1996 and 1999.
MAC Victories (1990-99)*
School MAC Record
1. Toledo 54-23-2 (.696)
2. Miami 51-25-3 (.665)
W. Michigan 51-29-1 (.636)
4. Bowling Green 47-29-4 (.613)
5. Ball State 44-36-2 (.549)
6. C. Michigan 42-37-4 (.530)
7. E. Michigan 32-48-1 (.401)
8. Ohio 28-52-3 (.355)
9. Akron 24-41-0 (.369)
10. Marshall 21- 2-0 (.913)
11. Kent 13-69-1 (.163)
12. N. Illinois 7-17-0 (.292)
13. Buffalo 0- 8-0 (.000)
* MAC regular-season victories
Overall Victories (1990-99)*
School MAC Record
1. Toledo 72-38-3 (.650)
2. Miami 66-39-5 (.623)
3. W. Michigan 65-44-2 (.595)
4. Bowling Green 61-46-4 (.568)
5. C. Michigan 54-53-5 (.504)
6. Ball State 52-58-2 (.473)
7. Marshall 35- 4-0 (.897)
8. E. Michigan 34-74-1 (.317)
Ohio 34-74-3 (.320)
10. Akron 32-55-1 (.369)
11. Kent 15-94-1 (.141)
12. N. Illinois 7-26-0 (.212)
13. Buffalo 0-11-0 (.000)
*Record as a member of the Mid-American Conference
ROCKETS HAVE NATION'S 11TH-BEST REGULAR-SEASON RECORD IN DIVISION I-A OVER LAST FIVE SEASONS
Over the past five seasons, Toledo has compiled a 39-15-1 record in regular-season games, the 11th-best mark in Division I-A. Here are the best regular-season records since 1995:
Best NCAA Division I-A Records (1995-99)
1. Florida State (51-4) .927
2. Nebraska (50-5) .909
Kansas State (50-5) .909
4. Tennessee (49-6) .891
5. Florida (48-7) .873
6. Michigan (46-10) .821
7. Ohio State (45-11) .804
8. Virginia Tech (44-11) .800
9. Penn State (43-13) .768
10. Texas A& M (40-15) .727
11. Toledo (39-15-1) .718
Miami (OH) (39-15-1) .718
12. Syracuse (40-16) .714
Research: University of Toledo Sports Information Office
MEL LONG HOLDS NATION'S LONGEST CURRENT STRING OF GAMES WITH AT LEAST ONE RECEPTION
Toledo senior wide receiver Mel Long has played in 35 games in his three-year career and caught at least one pass in every game. Long is tied with Arnold Jackson of Louisville for the longest streak of games with a catch in Division I-A.
Consecutive Games With at Least One Reception
Player Rec.
1. Mel Long, Sr., Toledo 35
Arnold Jackson, Sr., Louisville 35
3. Jermale Kelly, Sr., South Carolina 33
4. Orlando Iglesias, Sr., Houston 31
5. Khori Ivy, Sr., West Virginia 28
6. Margin Hooks, Sr., BYU 24
7. Ron Johnson, Jr., Minnesota 23
James Jordan, Jr., Louisiana Tech 23
9. Latef Grim, Sr., Pittsburgh 21
10. Delwyn Daigre, Jr., Louisiana Tech 20
Research: University of Houston Sports Information Office
