TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo Rockets will represent the MAC West Division in the 2022 MAC Championship Game at Detroit's Ford Field where they will face East Division champion Ohio on Saturday, Dec. 3 (Noon/ESPN).

Toledo and Eastern Michigan each finished the season with 5-3 league records but the Rockets clinched the trip to Ford Field due to their 27-24 victory over the Eagles on Oct. 29.

Toledo (7-5) is led by the MAC's No. 1 defense, allowing just 337.7 yards per contest. Senior linemen Desjuan Johnson (15.5 TFL) and Jamal Hines (6.5 sacks) lead the Rockets up front, while sophomore cornerback Quinyon Mitchell leads the nation with 22 passes defended (5 interceptions, 17 breakups).

The Rockets ended their regular season on the losing end of a 20-14 decision to Western Michigan on Nov. 25 in Waldo Stadium. Toledo played most the game without starting quarterback Dequan Finn, who has been battling an ankle injury. Finn played five series in the first half and sat out most of the game in favor of redshirt freshman Tucker Gleason. Gleason completed 13-of-38 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown. Finn's status for the MAC Championship Game has not been announced.

Ohio (9-3, 7-1 MAC) has won seven straight games after losing three of its first five games to begin the season. The Bobcats lead the MAC in total offense (437.5) and scoring offense (34.0). Junior quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the league's top passer, was injured vs. Ball State on Nov. 15 and will not play in the MAC title game. Sophomore CJ Harris, who led the Bobcats to a 38-14 victory over Bowling Green to clinch the East crown for Ohio on Nov. 22, is expected to start at QB. 

2022 MAC Championship Game
Toledo vs. Ohio
Saturday, Dec. 3 - Noon
Ford Field, Detroit, Mich.

• TEAM RECORDS: 
Toledo (7-5, 5-3 MAC)
Ohio (9-3, 7-1 MAC)

• SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads, 32-21-1. The Rockets won in Athens last season, 35-23.

• THE COACHES: 
Jason Candle, 52-32 (7th year) at Toledo, same overall. 1-2 vs. Ohio.
Tim Albin, 12-12 (2nd year) at Ohio, same overall. 0-1 vs. Toledo.

• TV/STREAMING: ESPN
Play by Play: Beth Mowins
Analyst: Kirk Morrison
Sideline: Stormy Buonantony

• ROCKET RADIO NETWORK: Pregame begins at 10:30 a.m.
Play by Play: Brent Balbinot
Analyst: Bryce Harris
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: 
    Tickets for the MAC Championship Game on Saturday, Dec. 3 can be purchased online at UTRockets.com/MACTix.

• ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRE-GAME PARTY:
The University of Toledo Alumni Association will be hosting a pre-game party in Ford Field's Comerica Grid Iron Club from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM. The party will feature a breakfast menu. Pre-game party tickets are $40 and can be purchased through the Alumni Association by calling 419-530-2604 or clicking the pre-game party button below. Game tickets are NOT included in the pre-game party ticket and must be purchased separately. 

Rocket Blasts
    • Toledo will be making its seventh appearance in the MAC Championship Game vs. East Division champion Ohio. This will be the first time the two schools have met in the league title game.
    • Toledo won the MAC Championship crown in its last visit to Detroit in 2017, a 45-28 win over Akron.
    • Toledo and Eastern Michigan tied for first place in the MAC West Division but Toledo won the tie-breaker thanks to its victory at EMU on Oct. 29.
    • Toledo has now won or shared 12 MAC West Division crowns. 
    • Toledo is bowl eligible for the 13th consecutive season, the longest streak in the MAC.
    • Toledo leads the series with Ohio, 32-21-1. Toledo won in Athens last season, 35-23. Toledo has won 12 of the last 14 meetings, including 11 in a row from 1989-2010.
    • Sophomore cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is the nation's leader with 1.8 passes defended  per game (17 breakups, 5 interceptions in 12 games).
    • Toledo ranks No. 1 in the MAC in total defense (337.7) and No. 2 in scoring offense (33.3), just a shade behind Ohio (34.0).

 
 
Jason Candle weekly press conference