TOLEDO, Ohio - The Mid-American Conference Champion Toledo Rockets and Head Coach Jason Candle are hoping their upcoming trip to Boca Raton will be as memorable as their first.

The Rockets will play Liberty University in the 2022 Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. The contest will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Dec. 20 and will be televised on ESPN.

"We are extremely excited to be playing Liberty in the Boca Raton Bowl," said Candle, who also led the Rockets to a MAC Championship title in 2017. "I'm so proud of our players and coaches and all the hard work they put into building a championship program. We look forward to the challenge of playing a very tough Liberty team. This is a great way for us to come together and play one final game with a senior class that has meant so much to this program."

Toledo (8-5) is the champion of the Mid-American Conference following its 17-7 victory over Ohio at the MAC Championship Game in Ford Field at Detroit on Dec. 3. Liberty (8-4) is a FBS independent, with victories over Arkansas, BYU and Southern Miss to its credit this season.

This will be the Rockets' second trip to the Boca Raton Bowl. Toledo defeated No. 24 Temple, 32-17, in a driving rainstorm on Dec. 22, 2015. That contest was Candle's first game as head coach of the Rockets. Candle was named head coach just 20 days prior to the contest after having served seven seasons as a Toledo assistant.

Candle and his Rockets earned their trip to Boca Raton with a MAC Championship run that was not without its challenges. But the Midnight Blue and Gold triumphed when it mattered most, winning four of five MAC West Division games and then handling a very tough Ohio team in the MAC Championship Game.

Toledo is led by arguably the best defense in the Mid-American Conference. The Rockets are No. 1 in the MAC in total defense (331.8), interceptions (12), defensive passing efficiency (110.05) and passing yards allowed (185.5).

The defense is led by four first-team All-MAC players: senior defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson (16.5 tackles for loss), junior linebacker Dallas Gant (113 tackles), sophomore cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (five interceptions, 20 breakups) and sophomore safety Maxen Hook (73 tackles, two interceptions). Mitchell, who leads the nation with 25 passes defended, was named second-team All-America by Walter Camp and third-team All-America by the Associated Press. Mitchell gained national attention when he had four interceptions and two pick-sixes vs. Northern Illinois on Oct. 8.

Making second-team All-MAC for the defense were senior defensive end Jamal Hines (6.5 sacks), senior linebacker Dyontae Johnson (103 tackles, 8.5 TFL) and junior safety Nate Bauer (57 tackles, two interceptions).

The leader of the offense is sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn, who has battled through shoulder and ankle injuries to earn second-team All-MAC honors and Offensive Player of the Game accolades in the MAC Championship Game. Finn has thrown for 2,127 yards and 22 touchdowns but is just as dangerous with his feet, rushing for 608 yards and eight scores.

Finn's top targets are sophomore Jerjuan Newton (48 receptions, nine TDs), junior Devin Maddox (38 receptions) and sophomore DeMeer Blankumsee (37 receptions). The rushing attack is a three-headed monster of sophomores Jacquez Stuart (659 yards), Peny Boone (418 yards) and Micah Kelly (376 yards). The Rockets are No. 1 in the MAC in scoring offense (32.1).

Toledo vs. Liberty
Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
FAU Stadium
Tuesday, Dec. 20 - 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)

• TEAM RECORDS:
Toledo (8-5, 5-3 MAC)
Liberty (8-4 Independent)

• SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads, 3-0. The Rockets won the last meeting in 2007 in Toledo, 35-34.

• THE COACHES:
Jason Candle, 53-32 (7th year) at Toledo, same overall. 0-0 vs. Liberty.
Josh Aldridge, interim head coach (0-0 all time)

• TV/STREAMING: ESPN
Play by Play: Anish Shroff
Analyst: Tim Hasselbeck
Sideline: Marilyn Payne

• ROCKET RADIO NETWORK: Pregame begins at 6:00 p.m.
Play by Play: Mark Beier
Analyst: Jim Yockey
Sidelines: Mike Robinson

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

• TWITTER:
@ToledoFB: Regular updates on UT Football, live updates on Game Day.

• TICKETS:
Online at UTRockets.com/bowltix, by phone at 419-530-GOLD (4653) or at the Rocket Ticket Office in Savage Arena.

• ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRE-GAME PARTY:
The University of Toledo Alumni Association is hosting a pre-game party at FAU Stadium on game day beginning at 5:00 p.m. Pregame Party tickets are $25 until Dec. 12 and $35 afterwards. Registration for the Pregame Party and Kickoff Luncheon closes on Dec. 15. The Pregame Party includes an exclusive buffet of delectable eats for all dietary needs, a cash bar and a commemorative Boca Raton Bowl Pregame Party pass. The event program will include University speakers and a performance by the Rocket Marching Band, Cheerleaders and Dance Team. The Pregame Party ticket does not include a football game ticket.

To register or for more information on Bowl events, click here.