 TOLEDOROCKETS.NETYour source for information on Rocket Football! |
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By Mike Sopher Here are some stats on the first ever Toledo versus UTEP matchup: Toledo: 7-2 in bowl games (1984 California Bowl was a win by forfeit) UTEP: 5-6 Both teams have combined to lose their last five bowl appearances with UTEP falling short in 1988, 2000, and 2004 while the Rockets lost in 2002 and also in 2004. UTEP hasn’t won a bowl game since 1967. The Rockets last won in 2001 at the Motor City Bowl. UTEP is 6-2 on national television this year while the Rockets are 2-2. The Miners are 1-2 against MAC schools. UTEP hasn’t finished the season with a victory since 1986 and have lost their last two games. Toledo won its previous game by beating their arch-rival Bowling Green in overtime 44-41. UTEP’s passing offense is sixth in the nation and 19th in total offense at 438 ypg. Toledo ranks 17th in total offense at 445.2 ypg. UTEP’s signal caller, Jordan Palmer, who is the younger brother of current Cincinnati Bengal Carson Palmer, has thrown for over 3,300 yards this season. Bruce Gradkowski has completed 68% of his passes and thrown for nearly 9,000 yards throughout his entire career at Toledo. Toledo’s Trinity Dawson ranks 21st nationally with 104 ypg. The Rockets are also 23rd in total defense, yielding 322.5 yards per outing while the Miners give up nearly 365 ypg. Toledo has committed 17 turnovers while the Miners have lost the ball 32 times. Both Mike Price and Tom Amstutz have lost their last two bowl games. Both teams are deadlocked at 8-3. Intangibles: Offense: Passing: Palmer vs. Gradkowski in what should be a classic matchup. The stats speak for themselves and it appears to be even in this department. Edge: Even Receiving: UTEP’s Francies and Higgins have combined for over 1,500 yards this year. Also, Francies has caught a ball in 42 consecutive games, good for fourth nationally. Toledo’s receiving corps has been inconsistent all year, but came on strong in the last game. Edge: Miners Rushing: Toledo has used a four back system that has combined for over 300 carries and nearly 2,000 yards this season. The Miners counter with two solid backs, but don’t even compare to the production of Toledo’s running game. Edge: Rockets Defense: Passing: Both teams look even statistically although Toledo holds the slight advantage. The Miners have faced some stiffer competition so it will be interesting to see which secondary shines this night. Edge: Even Rushing: Both teams give up over 100 yards per game, but UTEP statistically is worse at 160 ypg compared to Toledo’s 132 ypg. The Miners will have to win in this department to have a shot at winning this game. Edge: Rockets Special Teams: Toledo’s Jason Robbins has been perfect on field goals all year but the Miners Reagan Schneider commands the better leg and can hit consistently from 40+ yards out. Punting has never been a factor for both teams, but if either team can can find success on kickoff or punt returns, it would greatly affect the outcome of this game. Edge: Miners Finally, judging by the stats the teams appear to be even in many categories. This game will showcase the offensive explosion of UTEP and the balance attack of Toledo. The keys to this game rest on the defensive side of the ball where the team with the most stops will in all likelihood win the game. Both schools want a win, need a win, and will leave everything out on the field. One of these teams will walk out of Mobile Wednesday night finally with a bowl win. Bruce Gradkowski and his fellow seniors want to finish their careers at Toledo strong and I believe they will. Prediction: Toledo 38 UTEP 34 Credit: utepathletics.com espn.com utrockets.com Have a question or comment for Mike? Email |