TOLEDO, Ohio – With the non-conference season behind them, the Toledo Rockets begin a stretch of eight straight Mid-American Conference games, beginning with a battle vs. Central Michigan in the annual Homecoming game at the Glass Bowl this Saturday, Oct. 1 (3:30 p.m./NFL Network).

Toledo (2-2, 0-0 MAC) and Central Michigan (1-3, 0-0 MAC) are both looking to get off to a quick start following losses last week. The Rockets fell 17-14 at San Diego State while the Chippewas were defeated by No. 14 Penn State, 33-14.

Toledo's fourth quarter comeback bid fell just short against San Diego State on Saturday. The Rockets trailed 10-0 entering the fourth quarter, but scored two touchdowns in the closing minutes to take a 14-10 lead with 2:56 to play. San Diego State put together one final drive, however, and scored the game-winning touchdown with 41 seconds remaining. An interception on their final play squashed any possibility of the Rockets completing the comeback.

Sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn threw for 240 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 44 yards and one score. His 11-yard touchdown toss to tight end Jamal Turner got the Rockets on the scoreboard with 7:54 to go, and his one-yard TD plunge with 2:56 to go put them ahead late in the game. 

Finn has thrown for 781 yards and six touchdowns this season, and leads the Rockets with 252 yards and five scores. His favorite target has been sophomore DeMeer Blankumsee, who has hauled in 24 receptions for 235 yards.

Toledo vs. Central Michigan

• TEAM RECORDS: 
    Toledo (2-2, 0-0 MAC)
    Central Michigan (1-3, 0-0 MWC)

• SERIES RECORD: Toledo leads, 27-20-3. CMU won in Mount Pleasant last year, 26-23 in overtime. Toledo has won 10 of the last 12 meetings overall.

• THE COACHES: 
    Jason Candle, 47-29 (7th year) at Toledo, same overall. 4-2 vs. CMU.
    Jim McElwain, 21-16 (4th year) at CMU, same overall. 2-1 vs. Toledo.

• TV/STREAMING: NFL Network
    Play by Play: Jason Ross Jr.
  Analyst: Tyoka Jackson

• ROCKET RADIO NETWORK: Pregame begins at 2:00 p.m.
   Play by Play: Brent Balbinot
    Analyst: Andy Boyd
    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/tix, by phone at 419-530-GOLD (4653) or at the Rocket Ticket Office in Savage Arena.

Rocket Blasts
    • Saturday's game will be the 92nd Homecoming game in Toledo history. The Rockets are 63-28 in Homecoming games, including 2-1 vs. Central Michigan. Toledo lost last year's Homecoming game to Northern Illinois, 22-20, breaking a streak of nine straight Homecoming wins. 
    • Toledo's defense ranks first in the MAC in total defense (352.5), with CMU third in the league (402.5). The Rockets also rank first in passing yards allowed (166.8), second in points allowed (26.0) and defensive passing efficiency (131.2).
    • Toledo's offense ranks first in the MAC in scoring (31.8) and sixth in total offense (382.8).
    • Sophomore quarterback Dequan Finn has completed 59.8 percent of his passes for 781 yards and six TDs. He is also the Rockets' leading rusher with 252 yards and five scores.
    • Sophomore wide receiver Demeer Blankumsee leads the team with 24 receptions, which ranks tied for fourth in the MAC.
    • Junior linebacker Dallas Gant leads the team with 29 tackles, followed by sophomore safety Maxen Hook (26). Senior defensive tackle Desjuan Johnson ranks second in the MAC with 5.5 tackles for loss. Senior linebacker Dyontae Johnson and sophomore cornerback Quinyon Mitchell each have three pass breakups.