Rockets Host Murray State in Home Opener on Saturday

Saturday, September 14

Toledo, Ohio

7:00 p.m.

University of Toledo

Murray State

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Bryant Koback and the Rockets celebrate a touchdown vs. Kentucky on Aug. 31.

Photo by: Daniel Miller/University of Toledo

Rockets Host Murray State in Home Opener on Saturday

9/13/2019 9:05:00 AM | Football

Toledo Game Notes Murray State Game

TOLEDO, Ohio - Toledo makes its 2019 debut at the Glass Bowl with a matchup vs. FCS opponent Murray State on Sept. 14 (7:00 p.m./ESPN3) following a season-opening loss at Kentucky on Aug. 31 and a bye week on Sept. 7.

The Rockets started strong against the Wildcats, moving out to a 14-7 lead thanks to rushing touchdowns from sophomore running back Bryant Koback and senior quarterback Mitchell Guadagni. But Kentucky outscored the Rockets 31-10 the rest of the way, denying Toledo the chance for its second-ever win against an SEC school.

Guadagni completed 7-of-12 passes for 122 yards before leaving the game due to injury late in the third quarter. He also tied Koback for the team lead with 73 rushing yards. Juniors Danzel McKinley-Lewis and Bryce Mitchell topped the Rockets with three receptions apiece.

Sophomore Saeed Holt led Toledo's defensive efforts with a career-high 10 tackles to go with a tackle for loss and forced fumble, while junior Tycen Anderson registered a career-best eight stops.

The Racers are 1-1 and coming off a 63-17 loss at No. 3 Georgia on Sept. 7. In its opener on Aug. 31, Murray State dumped NAIA opponent Pikeville, 59-20.

This will be the first meeting between Toledo and Murray State on the gridiron. The Rockets are 24-2 vs. FCS opponents since the NCAA split up Division I in 1978.

Toledo vs. Murray State

• TEAM RECORDS:
   Toledo (0-1, 0-0 MAC)
   Murray State (1-1, 0-0 OVC)

• SERIES RECORD: First meeting.

• THE COACHES:
   Jason Candle, 28-14 (4th year) at Toledo, same overall. 0-0 vs. Murray State.
   Mitch Stewart, 16-30 (5th year) at Murray State, same overall. 0-0 vs. Toledo.

• TV/STREAMING: ESPN3
   Play by Play: Robert Lee
   Analyst: John Gregory

• ROCKET RADIO NETWORK: Pregame begins at 5:30 p.m.
   Play by Play: Brent Balbinot
   Analyst: Jack Miller
   Sidelines: Mike Robinson

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

• COACH'S SHOW: Coach Jason Candle and host Brent Balbinot talk Rocket Football every Monday beginning Aug. 26 from 6-7 p.m. at Stubborn Brother Pizza. Carried live on WSPD-AM1370 and UTRockets.com, with live streaming video on the BCSN Now app.

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

Rocket Round-Up
   • Toledo (0-1, 0-0 MAC) opened the season with a 38-24 loss at Kentucky on Aug. 31. For the second consecutive year, the Rockets had a bye in week two.
   • The Rockets were picked to finish first in the MAC's West Division in voting by members of the league's media contingent.
   • Senior QB Mitchell Guadagni came out of the game in the third quarter after sustaining a hit at the end of a 19-yard run. His status for the Murray State game has not been determined.
   • Redshirt freshman Carter Bradley came in at quarterback in place of Guadagni, completing 4-of-13 passes for 44 yards. He also scored on a five-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter.
   • Two true freshmen made their debuts in the season opener, Chris McDonald, Jr., who started at cornerback, and placekicker Evan Davis, who made a 46-yard field goal and was 3-of-3 on extra points.
   • Sophomore Bryant Koback rushed for 73 yards and one touchdown in his return to Lexington on Aug. 31. Koback transferred to Toledo from Kentucky following the 2017 season. He sat out the 2017 season as a redshirt so this was his first official game at Kroger Field.
   • Sophomore Saeed Holt led the Rockets with a career-best 10 tackles, adding one tackle for loss and a forced fumble.
   • Toledo is one of nine FBS teams that have had a winning record over the past nine years (83-37 since 2010).

Head Coach Jason Candle Monday press conference; preview of game versus Murray State.