 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Brian Nowicki Yep, it's time for one of my attendance rants. This Friday night the Rockets play their first home game of the season against the Kansas Jayhawks and anything but a packed Glass Bowl will be disappointing. Kansas is from the Big 12 conference. A conference that has had a school win the national championship in football twice in the last six years, including Texas just last year. The Big 12 is a powerhouse conference in terms of football. Kansas is more known for basketball, but head coach Mark Mangino has built a very good football program. Kansas has played in bowl games in two of the last three years. Last year they defeated Houston 42-13 in the Fort Worth Bowl. So far this year Kansas is 2-0 and expected to contend for the Big 12's North Division Title. So why not come to the Glass Bowl Friday night? Kansas is a good football program from a very good BCS conference. As of right now Toledo is a 5 point favorite against Kansas. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2. It's a great opportunity to get yourself seen on national television. Bring a creative sign and you are bound to find a camera glued to you and your sign at some point during the game. Want more reasons to come to the game? Did you know there is a community push for this game? Monday afternoon Toledo mayor Carleton S Finkbeiner, joined by Toledo Fire Department Chief Mike Bell, was at the Glass Bowl promoting the game and the community to the local media. Finkbeiner said he wants to make this a community event. He has sent letters to downtown businesses and asked them to leave their lights on Friday night in a "Light the Night" approach for the game. Another reason to come is Chuck Ealey and the famed 35 game winning streak. 35 years ago the Rockets were entering the final season of the streak. Chuck Ealey was a senior and led the Rockets to a 12-0 record, Tangerine Bowl victory, and a #13 ranking in the coaches poll. Friday night Mr Ealey and the 1969-1971 Rockets will be honored. Another reason to come is to watch an exciting game. Toledo leads the MAC in passing yards this season, and Clint Cochran is leading the MAC with a 72.2 completion percentage. The Rockets are definitely capable of scoring a lot of points. Another reason to come is to check out the new scoreboards at the Glass Bowl. That's right, I said that in a plural form. The scoreboard at the video screen has been replaced, but there has also been a new scoreboard installed in the South end zone. A scoreboard in the South end zone has been needed for many years. I have seen both scoreboards and they are very nice. Want another reason to come to the game? Chris Hopkins. Tight end Chris Hopkins was named the top tight end in the nation during week one when he had 13 receptions for 139 yards and three touchdowns. He had 4 receptions for 100 yards last week, giving him two straight 100 yard receiving games. He has also caught six touchdown passes in his last four games, going back to games against Bowling Green and UTEP (GMAC Bowl) last year. As you can see there are plenty of reasons to get out to the Glass Bowl this Friday night. Don't just sit there and watch the game on TV at home. Help make the University of Toledo and the city of Toledo look good on national television by going to the game and packing the Glass Bowl. Have a question or comment for Brian? Email |