Toledo tops Western Kentucky

Toledo, OH

                The Toledo Rockets handed head coach Jason Candle his 74th victory making him the winningest coach in program history in grand fashion.  Transfer running back Chip Trayanum had a career day rushing for 163 yards and two scores while adding another touchdown receiving. Receiver Junior Vandeross had a solid day also with 122 yards on five catches with one going for a 71-yard touchdown from Tucker Gleason. The defense also got on the scoreboard with a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown by Emmanuel McNeil-Warren in the second quarter. Toledo held Western Kentucky to 59 yards rushing while they racked up 307.

                Western Kentucky couldn’t overcome two early turnovers (a fumble & pick six) which led to a 14-0 deficit even though they were able to mount 56-yard drive highlighted by a 39-yard pass by receiver Cameron Flowers which led to Maverick McIver’s 7-yard throw to Mathew Henry making the score 14-7. Following this drive Toledo scored 31 consecutive points before the Hilltoppers scored twice in the fourth for the final score of 45-21.

Next Up: 9/13 WKU bye, Morgan State vs Toledo

Boilermakers defeat Cardinals 31-0 in season opener

West Lafayette, Ind

                The Purdue Boilermakers started off the Barry Odom era with a 31-0 victory over in state opponent Ball State. Purdue’s offense was on fire from the opening kickoff scoring on a 49 yard pass from Ryan Browne to Arhmad Branch on their first drive. Browne finished the day with 311 yards passing with two touchdowns along with one on the ground. Branch led the team with 101 receiving yards while Michael Jackson III had six catches for 72 yards both had one touchdown. On the ground Devin Mockobee rushed for 59 yards and a four-yard score in the second quarter.

                The Cardinals were held in check by the Purdue defense only gaining just over 200 yards on offense. Quarterback Kiael Kelly rushed for 63 yards to lead the team while throwing for just 87 going 10-16 also, he was sacked four times. Qua Ashley was second in rushing on the day with 43 yards as the Cardinals offense was primarily run based on Saturday. Ball State did have two decent drives on the day but both ended in missed field goals.

Next Up: 9/6 Ball State vs Auburn, Southern Illinois vs Purdue

Miami Redhawks 2025 season preview

The Miami Redhawks are coming into the season with uncertainty on offense. There are no returning starters but there is hope with the influx of transfers that have come to Oxford. Leading the way is quarterback Dequan Finn who arrives from Baylor after a season shortened by injury. He brings previous experience with him after winning MAC titles with the Toledo Rockets. Wide receiver is another position where transfers will play a major part. Arriving via the portal are Deion Colzie (Notre Dame), Darion Williamson (Florida State), Brady Simmons (Indiana) and Keith Reynolds (Washington). They have the ability, hopefully they gel to create consistent threats through the air.

Senior Kenny Tracy returns after an ACL injury last season and hopes to bring a spark to the running game also Jordan Brunson provides depth at the position. The offensive line will be totally new this season without a starter returning but their success will hinge on returnees Gavin Rohrs and Greg Smith along with others to step up as the season progresses.

The recurring theme has been the loss of starters for Miami and the defensive line has been hit with departures also. With that said juniors Adam Trick and Josh Lukusa will anchor the line for the Redhawks. At linebacker Corban Hondru has experience and Malcolm McCain will be his running mate. The secondary will be the strength of the defense. Safeties Eli Blakey (third team All MAC) and the leading returning tackler Silas Walters will be leaned upon while two new corners are broken in.

The outlook for the Redhawks is promising providing they can enter the MAC season healthy after opening with Big Ten opponents Wisconsin and Rutgers on the road and hosting UNLV. Can Dequan Finn reclaim his swagger from his stint at Toledo? Can the receivers show why they were power four recruits and live up to their potential? Will the rebuilt defensive line become a force? Even with these questions the Redhawks are picked to challenge for the MAC title again being picked second in the preseason coaches’ poll.

The Buffalo Bulls season Preview

The Buffalo Bulls enter the 2025 season with optimism following a 9-4 2024 season that ended with a bowl win over Liberty. Buffalo is picked to finish 4th in the MAC preseason coaches’ poll. What type of encore performance will the Bulls have in head coach Pete Lembo’s second year?

                Offensively, Buffalo returns leading rusher Al-Jay Henderson who looks to improve on his 1,078 yard and 9 touchdown performance last season. Receiver Nik McMillan returns from an ACL injury from last season and will be accompanied by third team ALL-MAC performer Victor Snow.

                Quarterback will be an issue for the Bulls there are multiple players vying for the position but Ta’Quan Roberson a Kansas State transfer looks to be in the lead over returners Gunner Gray and Mason Cumbie. Roberson is much traveled with stops at Penn State and UCONN but he brings experience having thrown for over 2000 yards and 12 TDs at UCONN.

The Offensive line should be steady with two returning 3rd team ALL-MAC performers in Trevor Brock and Tyler Doty. Starter Henry Tabansi also returns to help anchor a solid line.

                On the defensive side of the ball the Bulls return 1st team ALL-MAC linebacker Red Murdock who had a spectacular year with 156 tackles. Lining up next to him will be Junior Dion Crawford who also earned ALL-MAC status being placed on the 3rd team. The defensive line is experienced and deep with returning starters Tristan Souza, Kobe Stewart, George Wolo and Cornell Evans providing help.

                In the secondary, Marquis Cooper returns at corner to lead a group that has three players with solid experience from last season in Solomon Brown, Jalen McNair and Charles McCartherens.

                In summary, Buffalo should challenge for a spot in the MAC championship. The Defense has great depth and should be at the top of the league in multiple categories. Once the quarterback position is squared away the offensive should be explosive. Henderson will provide them some time to work the kinks out while the quarterback situation is figured out. Another 9 possibly 10-win season isn’t out of the question.

The Ohio Bobcats season preview

7/29/25 Rodney Braziel

Ohio University enters the 2025 season coming off their first MAC title since 1968, an 11-win season and a bowl game win. With success, comes change at the top in Athens. Head coach Tim Albin accepted the same position at Charlotte, but assistant coach Brian Smith moved seamlessly into the position to keep the team’s continuity.

Offensively Parker Navarro is the leading returnee. The senior posted over 2400 yards passing with 13 touchdowns and 1054 with 18 more scores. Running back Anthony Tyus III departs but Sieh Bangura returns after a short stint with the Minnesota Golden Gophers. In 2023 he led the Bobcats with 811 yards rushing so he’s a proven commodity in the backfield. At the receiver position the Bobcats have a plethora of talent vying for time with chase Hendricks at the fore. The offensive line is in flux but with Trent Allen and Davion Weatherspoon the base is solid while others fill in the gaps.

Defensively the secondary is the strongest unit with Michael Mack and Tank Pierson (4 interceptions) back and transfer Rickey Hyatt Jr adds experience to the group. The D-line was hit by departures but Anas Luqman transfers in from Arkansas Pine Bluff and Walter Bob Jr. returns for Ohio. Juniors Jake Fries and Michael Molnar bring experience at the linebacker position.

Ohio is predicted to finish third in the MAC’s preseason poll but have to survive the early season non-conference gauntlet of Rutgers, West Virginia and Ohio State healthy to make a run at a second consecutive conference title.

The Toledo Rockets 2025 Football season preview

7/22/25 Rodney Braziel

The Rockets coming off an 8-5 season capped by the amazing six overtime 48-46 dogfight victory versus Pittsburg look to return to the MAC title game and continue the program’s high expectations. Offensively the passing game didn’t miss a beat with quarterback Tucker Gleason taking over the reins. Gleason passed for over 2800 yards with 24 touchdowns while contributing 364 on the ground. Returning All-MAC receiver Junior Vandeross III hauled in 85 catches for 957 yards and was the Game Above Sports Bowl MVP last season leads a group of pass catchers ready to prove their worth.

The running game took a dip in the season after losing Peny Boone’s 1400 yards to Central Florida with Connor Walendzak’s team leading 458 yards. Enter former Ohio State, Arizona State and Kentucky transfer Chip Trayanum to help bolster a running back room that has talent but needs a spark. The Offensive line returns multiple starters and adds Jonathan Harder (Cincinnati) and Terrence Moore (PITT) to solidify the group.

Toledo’s defense will be led by a solid group of defensive backs in All-MAC performer Avery Smith along with interceptions leader Braden Awls and Jaden Dottin. The defensive line will have Esean Carter and Martez Poynter in expanded roles hoping to apply consistent pressure to the opposing offenses. The linebacker competition is in full swing with the losses of Dan Bolden and Jackson Barrow. Damon Ollison looks to be the heir apparent at the position.

Overall Toledo has a solid base returning from last season and if they can have a seamless transition from the previous seasons backups and the incoming transfers a 10-win season and MAC title isn’t out of the question. Toledo opens the 2025 season at Kentucky on Aug. 30th.