Sports writer Thomas Hiley breaks down the key players for the Rockets as they prepare to take on the Huskies at 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Toledo, Ohio. The Huskies have defeated Toledo five straight times dating back to the 2009-10 season, when the Rockets won a 20-19 affair against NIU.
Quarterback
Toldeo star senior quarterback Phillip Ely has led his team to an undefeated season at 7-0 and ranked at number 20 in the college rankings. This is the most he has played after missing some of last season due to a knee injury and sitting out the year before in 2013 after transferring from Alabama and having to redshirt. Ely has started in all seven games this season, throwing for 15 touchdowns on only seven interceptions. He has completed 61 percent of his passes for 682 yards and nine touchdowns on 3 interceptions in his last two starts against Eastern Michigan and Massachusetts. Ely currently averages 247.7 yards through the air for the Rockets.
Running back
Sophomore running back Terry Swanson is the leading rusher for the Rockets with 595 yards and five rushing touchdowns after a slow start — he missed the first game and had just one carry in the second. Swanson was listed as the number three running back on the depth chart coming into this season, but somehow found his way as the leading rusher, running for over 100 yards in three of the five games that he has played this season. This season has been a strong leap for Swanson from last season when he rushed for 732 yards, good for second for the Rockets and 10th in the MAC and averaging 6.5 yards-per-carry which was 15th in the country.
Offensive Line
The Rockets offensive line has been exceptional this year, not allowing a single sack on their starting quarterback Phillip Ely. The o-line has kept its starting quarterback upright, allowing him to make the plays necessary for the team to win. The Rockets have the second highest rushing attack in the MAC behind the Huskies at 213.1 due to the play of the offensive line, and the fourth ranked passing attack with 257.9 yards, giving them a very balanced offense.
Defensive Line
Senior defensive tackle Orion Jones, who was a second-team All-MAC selection last year, has been a workhouse for the Rockets’ defense. Jones has already come close to his season total from a year ago this year — he has totaled 33 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and five sacks on the season in only seven games. The Huskies’ offensive line will have trouble if it isn’t able to contain Jones as he is a force to be reckoned with and can take junior quarterback Drew Hare out of the pocket.
Linebacker
Redshirt junior linebacker Jaylen Coleman has become the No. 1 will-linebacker for the Rockets after being a reserve linebacker in the 2014 season. He came up with only 23 tackles last season and has already surpassed that this season with 48, the most on the Rockets defense. He also has been able to get to the quarterback, picking up 2.5 sacks on the year with one interception and one forced fumble.
Secondary
Redshirt senior cornerback Cheatham Norrils missed the entire 2014 season due to a viral illness, but has been able to start in every game this season for the Rockets. Norrils is the third leading tackler on the team through seven games. He’s been a shut-down corner whenever the ball comes his direction, causing eight breakups and eight pass deflections. Norrils has also been able to come from the secondary to rush the quarterback for 3.5 sacks on the season.
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