ALLIANCE, Ohio - The University of Toledo football team officially launched its 2025 preseason camp today with its first practice at the University of Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio. This marks a historic moment for the Rockets, who are holding camp off-site for the first time in program history, immersing themselves in a focused training environment through August 6 before returning to Toledo to resume training for the 2025 season.

Mount Union holds special significance for Head Coach Jason Candle and five members of his staff, all of whom are alumni of the storied Division III powerhouse. Candle, who won five Division III national championships there as a player and assistant coach, sees this setting as a way to foster team unity and minimize distractions while acknowledging some personal nostalgia on his part.

"Sometimes you have to think outside the box," said Candle, who heads into his 10^th season as head coach needing one win to become Toledo's all-time victory leader. "It's not just about getting to Week One (vs. Kentucky). It's about being a team. There are so many ways to promote individuality; this is a good way to promote our team."

Toledo's players were excited to be on the road for the first days of training camp.

"It's pretty cool," said senior quarterback Tucker Gleason. "We came here because we wanted to bond and connect as a team. In just one day I think we've already done that. You walk into the dorm room last night, we've got guys sitting together talking who normally wouldn't. So that was cool to see."

Candle praised Mount Union for its hospitality and acknowledged feeling a personal sense of nostalgia for a place in which he spent his formative years.  Assistant coaches Vince Kehres, Mike Hallett, and Ross Watson, along with assistant strength coach Christian Klinec and director of player development/defensive analyst Brooks Jenkins, are all alumni of the Purple Raiders' program.

"They have great facilities and are a very well-oiled machine for a reason," said Candle, who player wide receiver at Mount Union from 2000-01 and served as an assistant coach from 2002-08.  "Their success speaks for itself and what they've been able to accomplish. Everything has been first-class. The food has been awesome, the hospitality when we were checking into the dorms. You couldn't ask for anything more to get a good preseason kicked off.

"It's great to be back where you played. That was our locker room when I was a player here. So it's kind of cool to see some of that kind of stuff. And the food in the cafeteria is as good as ever, and exactly how I remember it."

The Rockets were picked to finish first in the Mid-American Conference by league coaches. Gleason returns to lead the offense after throwing for over 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career. He'll be joined by a veteran offensive line, standout wide receivers Junior Vandeross III and Trayvon Rudolph, an All-MAC transfer from Northern Illinois, as well as new running backs Chip Trayanum (Ohio State/Arizona State/Kentucky) and Kenji Christian (Virginia Tech/North Carolina A&T).

On the defensive side, Toledo boasts one of the MAC's top secondaries, led by corners Avery Smith and Nasir Bowers, and safeties Braden Awls, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Jaden Dottin. The linebacker corps and defensive line are bolstered by several key returning players and highly regarded transfers.

The Rockets open their season on August 30 with a challenging road test against SEC opponent Kentucky. They return to the Glass Bowl for their home opener on September 6 against Western Kentucky, AKA the "The Biggest Party in Toledo." Additional September home games include matchups against Morgan State (Sept. 13) and Akron for Homecoming (Sept. 27).

Tickets for the home opener vs. WKU are on sale now. To order tickets or for more information, please visit UTRockets.com/fbtix, 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.