Rockets’ 2016 Season a Record-Setting Success

TOLEDO, OH – Despite falling short in its bowl game, there is no doubt that the 2016 season will go down as a triumph for the University of Toledo football team.

The Rockets fell to Appalachian State, 31-28, at the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl on Dec. 17, but still finished the season with nine victories, which is tied for the eighth-most wins in school history. It is also the seventh-straight winning season for the Midnight Blue and Gold, and gives the Rockets 19 victories in the past two seasons.

The Rockets (9-4, 6-2 MAC) averaged 38.0 points per game and set the school record with 6,731 yards of total offense. Of Toledo's four losses, three were by five points or fewer.

"This season is a success for this senior class," UT coach Jason Candle said. "They won nine football games and 19 in the last two years. This senior class had a great career, a storied career, and they will always be remembered here in Toledo. Guys like (safety) DeJuan Rogers have a reason never to hang their head and a reason to be proud. I'm really proud of these guys and what they have done. They gave their heart and soul to the football program."

Rogers is one of 23 seniors who played their final season as a Rocket, and one of eight seniors who earned All-MAC status. Nevertheless, Toledo returns several important players who will be vital in the drive to win a MAC Championship next season.

At the top of the list is junior quarterback Logan Woodside, who earned first-team All-MAC honors this season. Woodside leads the nation with 45 touchdown passes, which also shattered the UT season record of 29. Woodside completed 69.1 percent of his passes and threw for 4,129 yards, breaking the school record by more than 600 yards. Woodside said he is eager to begin preparing for his senior season.

"To go 9-4 is something special in my eyes," said Woodside, who was named a Heisman contender by the Heisman Trophy Trust. "We wanted to get that 10^th win but ultimately we had a pretty good season and we're looking forward to next season. We lose a lot of great seniors but we've got a lot of guys returning so we'll be ready for next season."

Joining Woodside on the offensive side of the ball will be junior wide receiver Cody Thompson, who caught 64 passes for a school-record 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns, earning first-team All-MAC honors. Sophomore Jon'Vea Johnson, a second-team all-league pick, added 40 receptions, 773 yards and 10 TDs.

In the backfield, Terry Swanson (2,238 career yards) will return for his senior season, as will promising redshirt freshman Art Thompkins, who gained 235 yards in limited duty. The offensive line loses three starters but returns five players who saw extensive action in 2016.

On defense, the Rockets return 11 players who made at least 20 tackles this past season. Third-team All-MAC junior linebacker Ja'Wuan Woodley was second on the team with 79 tackles and added 13.0 tackles for loss. Other top returnees are sophomore linebacker Tyler Taafe (70 tackles, 6.0 TFL), sophomore defensive end Olasunkanmi Adeniyi (49 tackles, 8.0 TFL) and junior cornerback Trevon Mathis (44 tackles).

Toledo School Records Set in 2016

TEAM

Total Offense – 6,731
Passing Yards – 4,196
Touchdown Passes – 46
First Downs Passing – 168

INDIVIDUAL

Logan Woodside

Passing Yards – 4,129
Touchdown Passes – 45
Passing Efficiency – 183.3

Cody Thompson

Receiving Yards – 1,269

Michael Roberts

Touchdown Receptions – 16

Kareem Hunt

Career Rushing Yards – 4,945
Career Rushing Average – 6.35
Career 100-Yard Rushing Games - 28

Players Mentioned

Olasunkanmi Adeniyi

Kareem Hunt

Jon'Vea Johnson

Trevon Mathis

Michael Roberts

DeJuan Rogers

Terry Swanson

Tyler Taafe

Art Thompkins

Cody Thompson

Ja'Wuan Woodley

Logan Woodside

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