Rockets Ready to Battle For MAC Title in 2016
Toledo, OH - The University of Toledo football team met the local media for the first time today, and it was clear that first-year head coach Jason Candle has the Rockets focused and united in a single purpose—a Mid-American Conference Championship.
The Rockets, 10-2 in 2015, were picked to finish in second place in the MAC’s West Division by the league’s media. But head coach Jason Candle told the 15 or so reporters on hand that previous success will have no bearing on the outcome of the 2016 season.
"We're a new team,” said Candle, who enters his first full season as UT’s head coach after seven seasons as an assistant. “Last year was a great season but those 10 wins aren’t going to win any football games for us this year. This is a different team with new senior leadership, new players, new coaches—a new brand of football. Every team takes on its own identity and takes on its own attitude and approach to the game.”
Candle said he is pleased with what he sees in training camp thus far.
“We’ve seen great attitude, good attention to detail and a lot of spirited work,” Candle said. “One thing that is really neat about our team is there is a spirit to compete every day.”
The Rockets return 48 letterwinners, including 15 starters and six All-MAC players. Among the eight players on official watch lists for national honors are running back Kareem Hunt, a two-time All-MAC pick; first-team All-MAC offensive tackle Storm Norton; All-MAC wide receiver and return man Corey Jones; two-time All-MAC defensive tackle Treyvon Hester; and All-MAC safety DeJuan Rogers.
The Rockets will continue their pre-season practice schedule until the first week of classes, which begin on Aug. 22. The following week, Toledo will begin preparations for its season opener at Arkansas State on Sept. 2. UT hosts Maine in its home opener on Sept. 10. Season tickets are still available. Go online or call 419-530-GOLD (4653) for more information.
Additional Comments from Toledo Media Day
Head Coach Jason Candle
- (On naming a starting QB): “That has yet to be determined. We’ve had great competition at that position.”
- (On junior Logan Woodside): “He’s done a good job. He’s a veteran guy so we expect him to be playing well. He knows our routine, as do Mike (Julian) and Mitch (Guadagni).”
- (On the freshmen): “I've been pleased with all our newcomers. We have a talented freshman class and they've done a great job adjusting.”
- (On strengths of the team): “We have a veteran offensive line, a good core of skill players on offense, great leadership on defense and a secondary that is growing up very fast.”
Junior RB Terry Swanson
- (On the offense): “The sky's the limit for our offense. Anyone in the game will be able to get the job done."
Senior WR Corey Jones
- (On the attitude in training camp): “We’re a family. We have new coaches but you could never tell.”
- (On the receiving corps): “Our receivers have a lot of potential, multiple guys that can play different positions."
- (On personal goals for 2016): “I want to help the young guys get ready for what they will face this season, help them learn to control their emotions. And win a MAC Championship, of course.”
Junior QB Logan Woodside
- (On beginning training camp): “It feels great to get back out there after a long summer of workouts.”
- (On redshirting last season): “That was a tough part of my life but I grew and matured a lot.”
- (On having a veteran offensive line): “There might have been questions a year ago when we brought in five new starters but this year we have a veteran line that we are counting on.”
- (On what it will take to win the MAC): “Discipline and taking care of the details. Right now the best thing for us is to focus on the next game, which is Sept. 2 at Arkansas State.”
Senior OL Storm Norton
- (On the offense) "We have a lot of great competition at every position. This is the best depth we’ve had since I’ve been here. That gives us an edge to have so much competition.”
- (On the experience at offensive line): “Last year was a rebuilding year for the offensive line. Now we look at ourselves as the veterans who need to assume a leadership role.”
- Senior RB Kareem Hunt
- (On the team’s greatest strength): "Our team has a lot of heart. We always play hard and always play for each other.”