TOLEDO, Ohio – The No. 23-ranked Toledo football team has turned in one of the best seasons in program history in 2023, and it was rewarded for its success with a bevy of awards from the Mid-American Conference on Wednesday.

Junior quarterback Dequan Finn received the league's Vern Smith Leadership Award, which is annually presented to the MAC's most valuable player. Junior running back Peny Boone was named Offensive Player of the Year and Head Coach Jason Candle was named the MAC's Coach of the Year. Finn and Boone were also two of 14 Rockets to land on an All-MAC squad, and two of UT's 10 first-team all-conference honorees.

This year's Toledo squad is now one of the most decorated in recent history. It's the first time that the Rockets have claimed the Vern Smith Leadership Award, Offensive Player of the Year award, and Coach of the Year in the same year since 2017 when Logan Woodside took home the two player honors and Candle won his first Coach of the Year award. The 10 first-team All-MAC players are the second-most in school history and most since placing 11 on the first team in 1970, and the most by any MAC school since Marshall had 13 first-team players in 1999.

Toledo's postseason awards success is paralleled by its success on the field this season. Its 11-1 record is the best mark through 12 games of the Jason Candle era, and the best since going 11-0-1 in 1995. The Rockets have won 11 consecutive games for the first time since 1971 and are one victory away from tying the record of 12 wins set in 1970 and 1971. Toledo went 8-0 in MAC play this year for the first time in school history.

Below is a look at Toledo's postseason award winners:

Jason Candle | MAC Coach of the Year
This is Candle's second MAC Coach of the Year award, with his first coming in 2017. He is now the fourth Rocket head coach to win multiple MAC Coach of the Year awards, joining Gary Pinkel, Chuck Stobart, and Frank Lauterbur. Candle has coached Toledo to an 11-1 record and will be appearing in his third MAC Championship Game since taking over as head coach. He is the first Toledo coach to have multiple seasons with at least 11 wins since Lauterbur achieved that feat in 1969 and 1970. Candle also has the Rockets nationally ranked for the first time since the 2015 season. His 65 career wins rank second all-time at Toledo behind Gary Pinkel, who won 73 games from 1991-2000.

Dequan Finn | Vern Smith Leadership Award | First-Team All-MAC
Finn is Toledo's first Vern Smith Leadership Award winner, awarded annually to the league MVP, since Logan Woodside in 2017 and the fifth winner in school history. The junior quarterback, who is now a two-time All-MAC honoree, has had a remarkable season for the Rockets. Finn ranks first in the MAC in passing efficiency (155.36), completion percentage (65.1%), passing yards (2,384), touchdown passes (21) and total offense (242.8) en route to leading UT to its second straight MAC Championship Game. His 530 yards are the most among MAC quarterbacks, and he is one of just six FBS quarterbacks to have at least 2,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards. Earlier this season, Finn became the all-time leading rusher among UT quarterbacks (1.807 yards) and his 24 career rushing TDs are tied with Jim Kelso (1980-83) for most ever by a Rocket QB.

Peny Boone | Offensive Player of the Year | First-Team All-MAC
Boone is Toledo's first Offensive Player of the Year since Logan Woodside in 2017, and just the third ever in school history. The junior running back has turned in one of the finest seasons ever by a Rocket running back in 2023 and ranks among the national leaders in rushing yards per carry (7.43-2nd), total rushing yards (1,359-5th), rushing yards per game (113.2-7th), rushing touchdowns (15-8th) and total touchdowns (16-11^th). A three-time MAC West Offensive Player of the Week, Boone has eight 100-plus yard rushing performances including a high of 211 vs. Western Michigan. He has been even better against MAC competition, averaging 129.8 yards per game in eight league contests.

Jerjuan Newton | First-Team All-MAC
A second-team All-MAC performer a year ago, Newton played his way onto the first team this year. The junior wide receiver leads Toledo in receptions (43), receiving yards (570), and touchdowns (nine), leading the MAC in touchdown catches. He opened the year with a touchdown catch in six straight games and had three TD receptions in one game vs. Western Michigan. Newton set or tied season highs vs. Eastern Michigan in receptions (six) and receiving yards (108).

Nick Rosi | First-Team All-MAC
Rosi is now a three-time All-MAC honoree after earning the award in 2019 and 2022. The junior offensive lineman has started every game at left tackle and has helped lead an offensive line that has allowed just 10 sacks in 12 games, which ranks sixth in the country. Rosi is a key cog in the Rockets' top-ranked offense that leads the MAC in total offense (431.0), rushing (211.7), passing (219.3), and scoring (35.3). He has helped pave the way for the nation's seventh-ranked rushing offense.

Vinny Sciury | First-Team All-MAC
A junior offensive lineman, Sciury is a first-time All-MAC recipient. Like his teammate Rosi, he is an integral part of an offensive line that has allowed the sixth-fewest sacks in the nation. Sciury has started all 12 games at left guard and is an important piece for the top offensive unit in the MAC.

Judge Culpepper | First Team All-MAC
A three-year starter on the defensive line, this marks the first time Culpepper has been named All-MAC. He has started all 12 games this year and leads the team with 10 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, ranking third in the MAC in the latter category. Culpepper has three games with at least two sacks, including a high of 2.5 at Central Michigan in the regular season finale. 

Dallas Gant | First-Team All-MAC
This is the second All-MAC award for Gant, who was a first-team recipient last year as well. The senior linebacker has started all 12 games and ranks sixth in the MAC with 97 tackles. He has led the Rockets in tackles five times this year and had a season-high 13 stops vs. Buffalo. He has six games with at least nine tackles and his 7.5 tackles for loss are second-most on the team.

Quinyon Mitchell | First-Team All-MAC
Mitchell is now a first-team all-conference honoree in back-to-back seasons. One of the top cornerbacks in America, he leads the MAC and ranks second nationally with 16 pass breakups and his 17 passes defended rank third in the country. Mitchell, who was a second-team All-America selection in 2022, became the first Rocket ever to be named a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to the top defensive player in the nation. He has started all 12 games this year and has 31 tackles, 16 pass breakups, and an interception. He is also Toledo's career leader in pass breakups with 44.

Maxen Hook | First-Team All-MAC
Now a three-time All-MAC honoree, Hook is third on the team with 61 tackles and third in the MAC with three interceptions. The junior safety has started all eight games he has appeared in and has led Toledo in tackles in four games. He had a season-best 13 tackles vs. Buffalo and also had an interception. Hook picked off passes vs. Illinois and Ball State as well.

Jacquez Stuart | First-Team All-MAC
This is the first All-MAC honor of Stuart's career. The junior running back/kickoff returner is one of the top return threats in the nation, and has been named MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week twice this year. Stuart ranks fourth in the country in kickoff return average (29.8) and had a 97-yard kickoff return vs. Buffalo.

Anthony Torres | Second-Team All-MAC
The junior tight end has earned the first all-conference nod of his career this season. Torres has started all 12 games at tight end for the Rockets and has come into his own in MAC play, posting five games with multiple receptions. Both of his touchdown catches have come in MAC play as well, in back-to-back games against Miami and Buffalo.

Luke Pawlak | Third-Team All-MAC
Pawlak is an All-MAC honoree in his first full season as Toledo's starting placekicker. The junior from Sylvania is 10-of-11 on field goal attempts this year and a perfect 49-for-49 on extra-point attempts. He was named MAC West Special Teams Player of the Week following his performance at UMass.

Darius Alexander | Third-Team All-MAC
This is Alexanders' first-career All-MAC honor. The junior defensive tackle has started 10 of Toledo's 12 games this year and has 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Alexander has been disruptive along the line this year, totaling five quarterback hurries and three pass deflections.

Chris McDonald | Third-Team All-MAC
A senior cornerback, this is McDonald's first All-MAC honor. He has started 10 games for the Rockets and has 26 tackles, eight pass breakups, and two interceptions. His 25-yard pick six vs. San Jose State proved to be the game-winning score in Toledo's 21-17 victory. McDonald is placing himself in rare air in UT history, as he ranks fifth all-time with 32 career pass breakups.

2023 MAC Football Postseason Specialty Awards & All-Conference Teams
Coach of the Year: Jason Candle, Toledo
Vern Smith Leadership Award: Dequan Finn, QB, Toledo
Offensive Player of the Year: Peny Boone, RB, Toledo
Defensive Player of the Year: Matt Salopek, LB, Miami
Special Teams Player of the Year: Graham Nicholson, PK, Miami
Freshman of the Year: Jalen Buckley, RB, Western Michigan

2023 All-MAC First Team Offense
Quarterback – Dequan Finn, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Corey Stewart, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Nolan Potter, NIU
Offensive Lineman – Nick Rosi, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Vinny Sciury, Toledo
Offensive Lineman – Jacob Gideon, Western Michigan
Tight End – Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Chrishon McCray, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Sam Wiglusz, Ohio
Wide Receiver – Jerjuan Newton, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Kenneth Womack, Western Michigan
Running Back – Antario Brown, NIU
Running Back – Peny Boone, Toledo
Placekicker – Graham Nicholson, Miami
 
2023 All-MAC First Team Defense
Down Lineman – CJ Nunnally, Akron
Down Lineman – Sidney Houston, Ball State
Down Lineman – Caiden Woullard, Miami
Down Lineman – Judge Culpepper, Toledo
Linebacker – Matt Salopek, Miami
Linebacker – Bryce Houston, Ohio
Linebacker – Keye Thompson, Ohio
Linebacker – Dallas Gant, Toledo
Defensive Back – Jalen Huskey, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Devin Grant, Buffalo
Defensive Back – Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo
Defensive Back – Maxen Hook, Toledo
Punter – Mitchell Tomasek, Eastern Michigan
 
2023 All-MAC First Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Marion Lukes, Central Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jacquez Stuart, Toledo
 
2023 All-MAC Second Team Offense
Quarterback – Kurtis Rourke, Ohio
Offensive Lineman – Deiyantei Powell-Woods, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Brayden Swartout, Central Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Brian Dooley, Eastern Michigan
Offensive Lineman – Will Jados, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Reid Holskey, Miami
Tight End – Anthony Torres, Toledo
Wide Receiver – Daniel George, Akron
Wide Receiver – Jasaiah Gathings, Akron
Wide Receiver – Tanner Knue, Eastern Michigan
Wide Receiver – Jesse Prewitt III, Central Michigan
Running Back – Marquez Cooper, Ball State
Running Back – Terion Stewart, Bowling Green
Placekicker – Andrew Glass, Kent State
 
2023 All-MAC Second Team Defense
Down Lineman – Jacques Bristol, Central Michigan
Down Lineman – Brian Ugwu, Miami
Down Lineman – James Ester, NIU
Down Lineman – Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan
Linebacker – Cole Pearce, Ball State
Linebacker – Darren Anders, Bowling Green
Linebacker – Joe Sparacio, Eastern Michigan
Linebacker – Ty Wise, Miami
Defensive Back – Jordan Oladokun, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Donte Kent, Central Michigan
Defensive Back – Yahsyn McKnee, Miami
Defensive Back – JaVaughn Byrd, NIU
Punter – Alex Bevelhimer, Miami
 
2023 All-MAC Second Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jaylon Jackson, Eastern Michigan
Kickoff Return Specialist – Cade McDonald, Miami
 
2023 All-MAC Third Team Offense
Quarterback – Brett Gabbert, Miami
Offensive Lineman – Damon Kaylor, Ball State
Offensive Lineman – Alex Wollschlaeger, Bowling Green
Offensive Lineman – Gabe Wallace, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Tyler Doty, Buffalo
Offensive Lineman – Addison West, Western Michigan
Tight End – Tanner Koziol, Ball State
Wide Receiver – Odieu Hiliare, Bowling Green
Wide Receiver – Luke Floriea, Kent State
Wide Receiver – Trayvon Rudolph, NIU
Wide Receiver – Anthony Sambucci, Western Michigan
Running Back – Rashad Amos, Miami
Running Back – Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan
Placekicker – Luke Pawlak, Toledo
 
2023 All-MAC Third Team Defense
Down Lineman – CJ West, Kent State
Down Lineman – Vonnie Watkins, Ohio
Down Lineman – Rayyan Buell, Ohio
Down Lineman – Darius Alexander, Toledo
Linebacker – Bryan McCoy, Akron
Linebacker – Cashius Howell, Bowling Green
Linebacker – Kyle Moretti, Central Michigan
Linebacker – Chase Kline, Eastern Michigan
Defensive Back – KJ Martin, Akron
Defensive Back – Davon Ferguson, Bowling Green
Defensive Back – Chris McDonald Jr., Toledo
Defensive Back – Keni-H Lovely, Western Michigan
Punter – Lucas Borrow, Ball State
 
2023 All-MAC Third Team Specialists
Kickoff Return Specialist – Jhaylin Embry, Bowling Green
Kickoff Return Specialist – Ron Cook, Buffalo