Tuesday, December 23
Boca Raton, Fla.
2:00 p.m.
University of Toledo
vs
Louisville
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
Senior running back Chip Trayanum led the Rockets with 950 yards rushing and 13 total touchdowns this season.
Photo by: Daniel Miller/University of Toledo
Rockets Eager to Face Louisville in 2025 Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl of Beans
12/9/2025 1:20:00 PM | Football
Toledo will attempt to defeat an ACC opponent in a bowl game for second consecutive season
TOLEDO, Ohio – The Toledo Rockets enter their bowl game with renewed inspiration to end the 2025 season as champions.
Toledo (8-4, 6-2 MAC) will face Louisville (8-4, 4-4 ACC) in the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans at FAU's Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN.
Since the Rockets did not get an opportunity to play in the MAC Championship game this season, a bowl victory would be their only chance to hoist a trophy in 2025.
"Our challenge is, how can we play a game at a championship level?" said Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Robert Weiner, who is serving as the team's interim head coach. "How can we leave a legacy of 9-4 for the 2025 Toledo Rockets and put some pictures of this team on the walls in the Larimer building that people will remember for a long time?"
Weiner is filling in for Jason Candle, who departed for the head coaching position at UConn following 10 seasons in which he became Toledo's all-time victory leader. Nevertheless, Weiner said he expects the Rockets to be highly motivated to play an ACC opponent in a bowl game for the second consecutive season. The excitement in the program following last year's 48-46 victory over Pittsburgh in six overtimes is a subtle reminder of how important a bowl victory can be to a football program.
"I think our players are really charged and energized for this," said Weiner. "Obviously with Coach Candle leaving, we had a brick of firecrackers that took off in all different directions. But, the next day they rallied as a unified group that was ready to say, 'Let's go do this thing.' And that's exactly what we're going to do. It's a huge challenge in front of us, but I've watched all the history of the Toledo Rockets, and the Toledo Rockets never back down from a challenge."
Toledo's players echoed Weiner's comments.
"As long as we're here, we will give everything we've got," said sophomore linebacker Chris D'Appolonia. "That's the mentality we have right now going into this game."
Added senior running back Chip Trayanum, "Unfortunately, we weren't able to play in the MAC Championship Game, but I think we can go out here and finish off this season the right way, like we know we can."
Trayanum, who previously played at Arizona State, Ohio State and Kentucky, said sitting out the bowl game was never a consideration for him.
"It was never a question. I'm playing," said Trayanum, a First-Team All-MAC pick who has rushed for 950 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns this season. "I owe Toledo a lot. Toledo's been great for me, especially for my last stop in my college journey. I just want to go and finish it off the right way for my last college game."
Toledo, which is playing in a bowl game for the fifth consecutive season, faces a stiff challenge in southeast Florida. Among Louisville's eight victories were triumphs over two teams in the College Football Playoff – Miami (Fla.) and James Madison. The Cardinals also defeated Kentucky and Bowling Green, two teams that bested the Rockets in 2025.
Despite losing out on a chance to play in the MAC Championship Game (Toledo tied for second place and lost out on a tie-breaker) the Rockets closed out the 2025 regular season in dominant fashion, winning their final four games and holding opponents to single digits in each contest—a testament to one of the nation's most elite defenses. The Rockets have the nation's No. 3 ranked defense (247.8 yards per game) and held opponents to 14 points or fewer seven times. Toledo also led the Mid-American Conference in virtually every significant team stat on both sides of the ball, including scoring offense (31.6) and total offense (421.8).
That dominance helped Toledo extend two remarkable streaks: 16 straight seasons of bowl eligibility, the sixth-longest active run in the FBS, and 16 consecutive seasons without a losing record, ranking third nationally.
Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans Ticket Information
Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans when Toledo (8-4) faces ACC opponent Louisville (8-4) on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
Ticket orders can be placed online at UTRockets.com/bowltix for seats in the Toledo cheering section. All tickets are digital with prices starting at $38. The deadline to purchase tickets from the Toledo allotment is Thursday, Dec. 18 at 5:00 p.m. After the deadline, tickets must be purchased through the bowl website. Tickets will be delivered via Ticketmaster, with full instructions sent by email when delivered.
For more information, please visit UTRockets.com, call/text 419.530.GOLD (4653) or stop by the Rocket Ticket Office located in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena during office hours.
Alumni Pre-Game Party
The UToledo Alumni Association is hosting a pregame party at the Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans. The party will take place at Flagler Credit Union Stadium from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Tickets for the party are $35 and do not include a game ticket.
Fans can also take part in the Kickoff Luncheon and the Joint Pep Rally at Mizner Park Amphitheater on Dec. 22, and Fan Fest and Family Midway on game day.
For more information, go to UToledo Alumni Pregame Party or call 419-530-2586.
Toledo's Bowl History
Bowl Record: 13-9
1969 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 56, Davidson 33
1970 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 40, William & Mary 12
1971 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 28, Richmond 3
1981 California Bowl
Toledo 27, San Jose State 25
1984 California Bowl
UNLV 30, Toledo 13*
1995 Las Vegas Bowl
Toledo 40, Nevada 37 (OT)
2001 Motor City Bowl
Toledo 23, Cincinnati 16
2002 Motor City Bowl
Boston College 51, Toledo 25
2004 Motor City Bowl
Connecticut 39, Toledo 10
2005 GMAC Bowl
Toledo 45, UTEP 13
2010 Little Caesars Bowl
FIU 34, Toledo 32
2011 Military Bowl
Toledo 42, Air Force 41
2012 Famous Idaho Bowl
Utah State 41, Toledo 15
2015 GoDaddy Bowl (2014 season)
Toledo 63, Arkansas State 44
2015 Marmot Boca Raton Bowl
Toledo 32, Temple 17
2016 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Appalachian State 31, Toledo 28
2017 Dollar General Bowl
Appalachian State 34, Toledo 0
2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
FIU 35, Toledo 32
2021 Bahamas Bowl
Middle Tennessee 31, Toledo 24
2022 Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
Toledo 21, Liberty 19
2023 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl
Wyoming 16, Toledo 15
2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl
Toledo 48, Pittsburgh 46 (6 OT)
* Toledo claimed victory by forfeit
Toledo (8-4, 6-2 MAC) will face Louisville (8-4, 4-4 ACC) in the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans at FAU's Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN.
Since the Rockets did not get an opportunity to play in the MAC Championship game this season, a bowl victory would be their only chance to hoist a trophy in 2025.
"Our challenge is, how can we play a game at a championship level?" said Co-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach Robert Weiner, who is serving as the team's interim head coach. "How can we leave a legacy of 9-4 for the 2025 Toledo Rockets and put some pictures of this team on the walls in the Larimer building that people will remember for a long time?"
Weiner is filling in for Jason Candle, who departed for the head coaching position at UConn following 10 seasons in which he became Toledo's all-time victory leader. Nevertheless, Weiner said he expects the Rockets to be highly motivated to play an ACC opponent in a bowl game for the second consecutive season. The excitement in the program following last year's 48-46 victory over Pittsburgh in six overtimes is a subtle reminder of how important a bowl victory can be to a football program.
"I think our players are really charged and energized for this," said Weiner. "Obviously with Coach Candle leaving, we had a brick of firecrackers that took off in all different directions. But, the next day they rallied as a unified group that was ready to say, 'Let's go do this thing.' And that's exactly what we're going to do. It's a huge challenge in front of us, but I've watched all the history of the Toledo Rockets, and the Toledo Rockets never back down from a challenge."
Toledo's players echoed Weiner's comments.
"As long as we're here, we will give everything we've got," said sophomore linebacker Chris D'Appolonia. "That's the mentality we have right now going into this game."
Added senior running back Chip Trayanum, "Unfortunately, we weren't able to play in the MAC Championship Game, but I think we can go out here and finish off this season the right way, like we know we can."
Trayanum, who previously played at Arizona State, Ohio State and Kentucky, said sitting out the bowl game was never a consideration for him.
"It was never a question. I'm playing," said Trayanum, a First-Team All-MAC pick who has rushed for 950 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns this season. "I owe Toledo a lot. Toledo's been great for me, especially for my last stop in my college journey. I just want to go and finish it off the right way for my last college game."
Toledo, which is playing in a bowl game for the fifth consecutive season, faces a stiff challenge in southeast Florida. Among Louisville's eight victories were triumphs over two teams in the College Football Playoff – Miami (Fla.) and James Madison. The Cardinals also defeated Kentucky and Bowling Green, two teams that bested the Rockets in 2025.
Despite losing out on a chance to play in the MAC Championship Game (Toledo tied for second place and lost out on a tie-breaker) the Rockets closed out the 2025 regular season in dominant fashion, winning their final four games and holding opponents to single digits in each contest—a testament to one of the nation's most elite defenses. The Rockets have the nation's No. 3 ranked defense (247.8 yards per game) and held opponents to 14 points or fewer seven times. Toledo also led the Mid-American Conference in virtually every significant team stat on both sides of the ball, including scoring offense (31.6) and total offense (421.8).
That dominance helped Toledo extend two remarkable streaks: 16 straight seasons of bowl eligibility, the sixth-longest active run in the FBS, and 16 consecutive seasons without a losing record, ranking third nationally.
Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans Ticket Information
Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans when Toledo (8-4) faces ACC opponent Louisville (8-4) on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
Ticket orders can be placed online at UTRockets.com/bowltix for seats in the Toledo cheering section. All tickets are digital with prices starting at $38. The deadline to purchase tickets from the Toledo allotment is Thursday, Dec. 18 at 5:00 p.m. After the deadline, tickets must be purchased through the bowl website. Tickets will be delivered via Ticketmaster, with full instructions sent by email when delivered.
For more information, please visit UTRockets.com, call/text 419.530.GOLD (4653) or stop by the Rocket Ticket Office located in the Sullivan Athletic Complex at Savage Arena during office hours.
Alumni Pre-Game Party
The UToledo Alumni Association is hosting a pregame party at the Bush's Boca Raton Bowl of Beans. The party will take place at Flagler Credit Union Stadium from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Tickets for the party are $35 and do not include a game ticket.
Fans can also take part in the Kickoff Luncheon and the Joint Pep Rally at Mizner Park Amphitheater on Dec. 22, and Fan Fest and Family Midway on game day.
For more information, go to UToledo Alumni Pregame Party or call 419-530-2586.
Toledo's Bowl History
Bowl Record: 13-9
1969 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 56, Davidson 33
1970 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 40, William & Mary 12
1971 Tangerine Bowl
Toledo 28, Richmond 3
1981 California Bowl
Toledo 27, San Jose State 25
1984 California Bowl
UNLV 30, Toledo 13*
1995 Las Vegas Bowl
Toledo 40, Nevada 37 (OT)
2001 Motor City Bowl
Toledo 23, Cincinnati 16
2002 Motor City Bowl
Boston College 51, Toledo 25
2004 Motor City Bowl
Connecticut 39, Toledo 10
2005 GMAC Bowl
Toledo 45, UTEP 13
2010 Little Caesars Bowl
FIU 34, Toledo 32
2011 Military Bowl
Toledo 42, Air Force 41
2012 Famous Idaho Bowl
Utah State 41, Toledo 15
2015 GoDaddy Bowl (2014 season)
Toledo 63, Arkansas State 44
2015 Marmot Boca Raton Bowl
Toledo 32, Temple 17
2016 Raycom Media Camellia Bowl
Appalachian State 31, Toledo 28
2017 Dollar General Bowl
Appalachian State 34, Toledo 0
2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
FIU 35, Toledo 32
2021 Bahamas Bowl
Middle Tennessee 31, Toledo 24
2022 Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl
Toledo 21, Liberty 19
2023 Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl
Wyoming 16, Toledo 15
2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl
Toledo 48, Pittsburgh 46 (6 OT)
* Toledo claimed victory by forfeit
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