Quarterbacks

Junior Austin Dantin and sophomore Terrance Owens split time at quarterback for the Rockets, and have spearheaded an offense that scores 36 points per game, ranking second in the MAC. Dantin has played in one more game and leads the team in passing, but Owens has been just as effective. The two have combined for 16 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. NIU defensive end Sean Progar said the defense will see equal amounts of both quarterbacks and will have to keep them both in the pocket.

“These quarterbacks are going to scramble a lot,” Progar said. “So we have to keep them in the pocket, keep the pocket around them, help out the secondary and don’t let them run around so those [receiver] routes will break off.”

Grade: B+.

Wide Receivers

Junior Eric Page, sophomore Bernard Reedy and senior Kenny Stafford line up at the wide receiver slots for the Rockets. The trio has Toledo ranked sixth in the MAC in receptions. Page leads all receivers in yards and receptions and will see a lot of targets, as he averages 83 yards per game. Senior Jerome Jones will start at tight end and is a match-up nightmare, standing at 6-7, 240 pounds, but with only three catches this year, he is used mostly for blocking.

Grade: C+.

Running Backs

Sophomore David Fluellen, senior Morgan Williams and senior Adonis Thomas will see carries for the Rockets. Williams is the primary backfield threat, as he leads the team in rushing and has nine rushing touchdowns. All three backs have 40 or more carries and average over 5 yards per carry, helping Toledo rank fourth in the MAC in rushing yards per game.

Grade: B.

Offensive Line

Every Rocket on Toledo’s offensive line stands in at 6’5″ or taller, which helped Toledo rank third in total yards per game in the MAC behind NIU and Ohio. Senior tackles Mike VanDerMeulen and John Morookian as well as senior left guard Phillip Keith Manley provide experience and leadership on an otherwise young line. In 256 attempts, Rocket quarterbacks have been sacked nine times.

Grade: B.