Rockets Release 2013 Football Schedule; Open Season at Florida and Missouri
3/1/2013 8:00:00 PM | Football
The Rockets will begin their 2013 football season playing not one, but two games against SEC foes. Toledo opens up with road contests at Florida and at Missouri, undoubtedly the toughest opening assignment in school history.
Toledo released its 2013 football schedule today, including the dates of eight Mid-American Conferences games that had not been previously announced. The home opener will be a non-conference battle with Eastern Washington on Sept. 14. MAC home games include Western Michigan (Oct. 5 - Homecoming), Eastern Michigan (Nov. 2), Buffalo (Nov. 12) and Northern Illinois (Nov. 20). Toledo's other non-conference home game is an Oct. 19 contest vs. Navy. The NIU game will be televised on ESPN2 while the Buffalo game will be on either ESPNU or ESPN3.
Conference road games are at Central Michigan (Sept. 21), Ball State (Sept. 28), Bowling Green (Oct. 26) and Akron (Nov. 29). The Akron game will be carried on either ESPNU or ESPN3.
"Our schedule is very challenging, particularly at the start of the season, but we are looking forward to it," said head coach Matt Campbell, who will be entering his second season as the Rockets' head coach. "Not only do we travel to Florida and Missouri, but we open at home against a very good Eastern Washington team, then play two conference road games at Central Michigan and Ball State. I know our players will rise to meet the challenge."
Toledo's season opener will come on Aug. 31 against a Florida team that finished the season with an 11-2 record, ranked No. 9 in the AP poll and No. 10 in the USA Today coaches poll. The Rockets then travel to Missouri where they will face former UT head coach Gary Pinkel's Tigers. Pinkel coached the Rockets from 1991-2000, compiling a 73-37-3 mark. He was inducted into UT's Varsity 'T' Hall of Fame in 2009. Missouri was 5-7 in 2012, its first in the SEC and first losing season since 2004.
The Rockets' other two non-conference foes are also formidable. Eastern Washington was 9-2 last year and advanced to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs. The Eagles were FCS champions in 2010. Navy was 8-5 in 2012 and earned a berth in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
Toledo is coming off a 9-4 season in 2012 (7-1 MAC), its third straight winning season. The Rockets return six All-MAC players, including senior wide receiver/returner Bernard Reedy (88 receptions, four TDs off returns) and senior running back David Fluellen (1,498 yards rushing).
Rocket football season ticket orders are being taken now. Call 419-530-GOLD (4653) for more information.
