American Football Wiki
Toledo Rockets
Current season:
2024 Toledo Rockets
First season 1917
Head coach Jason Candle
7th year, 65–35 (.650)
Home stadium Glass Bowl
Year built 1936
Stadium capacity 36,852
Stadium surface Field Turf
Location Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Conference Mid-American Conference (MAC)
Division West
All-time history
Toledo Rockets Historical Teams
1917 1918 1919
1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929
1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939
1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
All-time record 580–452–44 (.561)
Postseason bowl record 11–10 (.524)
Conference titles 15
Consensus All-Americans 2
Current uniform
Colors Midnight Blue[1]
, Gold[1], and White
(white only on alternate jerseys)

                     

Fight song "U of Toledo"
Mascot Rocket the Rocket % Rocksky the Rocket
Marching band The U of Toledo Marching Band
Rivals Bowling Green Falcons
Miami (OH) RedHawks
Website UTRockets.com

The Toledo Rockets football team represents the University of Toledo located in Toledo, Ohio. The Rockets are a member of the NCAA FBS Mid-American Conference and play their home games at the Glass Bowl in Toledo. The Rockets are currently coached by Jason Candle.

Toledo began playing football in 1917, although it did not field teams in 1931, and 1943–1945. Since the inception of the AP Poll in 1936, Toledo has finished in the Top 25 four times. Its highest finish came in 1970 when it ranked #12 after finishing 12–0–0. The University of Toledo has a 10–7 record in bowl games. The Rockets have won the MAC Championship 12 times, the latest coming in 2022.

Team History[]

Early history (1917–1962)[]

Toledo first fielded a football team in 1917, under the leadership of John Brandeberry. According to Toledo Rockets lore, the team began when a group of students purchased uniforms from a sporting goods store, then arranged a game against the University of Detroit in order to settle the debt. Brandeberry stepped in to coach the team, which promptly lost the game 145–0 (but settled the debt).[2]

For the first few years Toledo played without a nickname, but was dubbed the "Rockets" after two long touchdown runs in a 1923 loss to Carnegie Tech. That season also saw Toledo win its first conference title.[2] Clarence Spears served as the Rocket's head coach and athletics director for seven seasons, from 1936–1942. Under his tutelage, the Rockets compiled a record of 38–26–2. which included five consecutive winning seasons.[3] In two seasons, the Rockets compiled a record of 11–10 under head coach Skip Stahley.[4] Forrest England served as Toledo's head coach for two seasons in 1954 and 1955, compiling a record of 9–7–2.[5]

Nick Saban (1990)[]

Nick Saban was head coach of the Rockets for one season, leading Toledo to a 9–2 record and a MAC co-championship in 1990. The two games the Rockets lost that season were by narrow margins: one point to Central Michigan, and four points to Navy.[6] While at the helm of the Rockets, Saban turned down an application of Urban Meyer, who was looking for a job on his staff as an assistant coach.[7]

Saban left Toledo after the 1991 season to become the NFL's Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator under Bill Belicheck,[8] and later head coaching positions at Michigan State (1995–1999), LSU (2000–2004), the NFL's Miami Dolphins (2005–2006) and Alabama.

Tom Amstutz era (2001–2008)[]

Known as "Toledo Tom", Tom Amstutz led the Rockets to some of the greatest successes, including two MAC Championships, four MAC West titles, and four bowl game appearances. A native of Toledo and former Rocket player himself, was promoted from defensive coordinator, a post he held under Saban and Pinkel, to the Rockets head coach after Pinkel's departure.[9]

During his eight seasons as head coach, Amstutz led the Rockets to impressive victories over #9 Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Kansas, and Iowa State. Perhaps the greatest though was a 13-10 defeat in 2008 against the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor.[10] The Rockets are the first and so far only MAC football team to beat Michigan. Amstutz resigned as head coach following the 2008 season.[11] His final record as head coach was 58–41, including victories at the 2001 Motor City Bowl and 2005 GMAC Bowl.[12]

Matt Campbell era (2012–2015)[]

Named interim head coach following the departure of head coach Tim Beckman, to coach Illinois, Matt Campbell made his debut as the Rockets coach with a 42-41 victory over Air Force in the 2011 Military Bowl.[13] At 32 years old, he was the youngest FBS coach at the time, and went on to enjoy four winning seasons and an overall record of 35-15. The team saw big victories along the way with a win over #18 Cincinnati in 2012 and a 2015 upset of #18 Arkansas in Little Rock, Toledo's first win over an SEC team.[14] They also went on to a bowl victory over Arkansas State in the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl. Campbell resigned as head coach at the end of the 2015 regular season to accept a head coaching job at Iowa State.[15]

Jason Candle era (2016–present)[]

Initially planning to following Matt Campbell to Iowa State for an assistant coaching position, Jason Candle changed course and quickly returned to Toledo after the Rockets offered him the head coaching position. Like his predecessor, his first game as head coach was a bowl victory, with the Rockets defeating No. 24 Temple in the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl.

In 2017, the Rockets defeated Western Michigan to become the outright MAC West Division champions for the first time since 1998, and their first trip to the MAC Championship since 2004. Toledo went on to defeat Akron 45–28 and win its first MAC Championship in 13 years.

In 2022, the Rockets defeated Ball State and Western Michigan lost to Northern Illinois to become the MAC West Division co-champions with Eastern Michigan. Toledo beat Eastern Michigan early in the season so the Rockets had the tie-breaker. Toledo went on to defeat Ohio 17–7 in the MAC Championship.

In 2024, Candle tied Gary Pinkel as the winningest coach in Toledo football history with 73 wins after beating Pittsburgh in the GameAbove Sports Bowl.

Championships[]

Conference championships[]

The Rockets have won 15 conference titles, with 12 of them being during their affiliation with the Mid-American Conference.

Year Conference Coach Record Conference record
1923 Northwest Ohio League Pat Dwyer 6–4
1927 Northwest Ohio League Boni Petcoff 5–2
1929 Northwest Ohio League Boni Petcoff 4–2–1
1967 Mid-American Conference Frank Lauterbur 9–1 5–1
1969 Mid-American Conference Frank Lauterbur 11–0 5–0
1970 Mid-American Conference Frank Lauterbur 12–0 5–0
1971 Mid-American Conference John Murphy 12–0 5–0
1981 Mid-American Conference Chuck Stobart 9–3 8–1
1984 Mid-American Conference Dan Simrell 8–3–1 7–1–1
1990 Mid-American Conference Nick Saban 9–2 7–1
1995 Mid-American Conference Gary Pinkel 11–0–1 7–0–1
2001 Mid-American Conference Tom Amstutz 10–2 5–2
2004 Mid-American Conference Tom Amstutz 9–4 7–1
2017 Mid-American Conference Jason Candle 11–2 7–1
2022 Mid-American Conference Jason Candle 8–5 5–3

Division championships[]

The Rockets have won 13 division titles.

Year Division Coach Opponent CG Result
1997 MAC - West Gary Pinkel Marshall L 14–34
1998 MAC - West Gary Pinkel Marshall L 17–23
2000 MAC - West Gary Pinkel N/A lost tiebreaker to Western Michigan
2001 MAC - West Tom Amstutz Marshall W 41–36
2002 MAC - West Tom Amstutz Marshall L 45–49
2004 MAC - West Tom Amstutz Miami (OH) W 35–27
2005 MAC - West Joe Novak N/A lost tiebreaker to Northern Illinois
2011 MAC - West Tim Beckman N/A lost tiebreaker to Northern Illinois
2014 MAC - West Matt Campbell N/A lost tiebreaker to Northern Illinois
2015 MAC - West Matt Campbell N/A lost tiebreaker to Northern Illinois
2017 MAC - West Jason Candle Akron W 45–28
2022 MAC - West Jason Candle Ohio W 17–7
2023 MAC - West Jason Candle Miami (OH) L 14–23

† Co-champions

Bowl games[]

Toledo has appeared in 22 NCAA-sanctioned post-season bowl games since 1969, and has an 12–10 record overall.

Season Date played Bowl Game Opponent Result
1969 December 26, 1969 Tangerine Bowl Davidson W 56–33
1970 December 28, 1970 Tangerine Bowl William & Mary W 40–12
1971 December 28, 1971 Tangerine Bowl Richmond W 28–3
1981 December 19, 1981 California Bowl San Jose State W 27–25
1984 December 15, 1984 California Bowl UNLV L 13–30*
1995 December 14, 1995 Las Vegas Bowl Nevada W 40–37OT
2001 December 29, 2001 Motor City Bowl Cincinnati W 32–16
2002 December 26, 2002 Motor City Bowl Boston College L 25–51
2004 December 27, 2004 Motor City Bowl Connecticut L 10–39
2005 December 21, 2005 GMAC Bowl UTEP W 45–13
2010 December 26, 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl FIU L 32–34
2011 December 28, 2011 Military Bowl Air Force W 42–41
2012 December 15, 2012 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Utah State L 15–41
2014 January 4, 2015 GoDaddy Bowl Arkansas State W 63–44
2015 December 22, 2015 Boca Raton Bowl Temple W 32–17
2016 December 17, 2016 Camellia Bowl Appalachian State L 28–31
2017 December 23, 2017 Dollar General Bowl Appalachian State L 0–34
2018 December 21, 2018 Bahamas Bowl FIU L 32–35
2021 December 17, 2021 Bahamas Bowl Middle Tennessee L 24–31
2022 December 20, 2022 Boca Raton Bowl Liberty W 21–19
2023 December 30, 2023 Arizona Bowl Wyoming L 15–16
2024 December 26, 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl Pittsburgh W 48–466OT
From 1946 through 1949, the Rockets played a post-season game named the Glass Bowl that was played at their stadium. They were 3–1, losing the last game to the Cincinnati Bearcats. Like some other postseason match-ups of the era, such as the Grape Bowl and the Optimist Bowl, results are listed in NCAA records, but the games were not considered NCAA-sanctioned bowls.
^* After the 1984 California Bowl, it was found that UNLV had allegedly used ineligible players during the season. Despite the fact that they were not used in the bowl game, the school forfeited the win, though the NCAA does not recognize the forfeit.

Seasons[]

2020s[]

Season Coach Record
2025 Jason Candle
2024 Jason Candle 8-5
2023 Jason Candle 11-3
2022 Jason Candle 9-5
2021 Jason Candle 7-5
2020 Jason Candle 4-2

2010s[]

Season Coach Record
2019 Jason Candle 6-6
2018 Jason Candle 7-6
2017 Jason Candle 11-3
2016 Jason Candle 9-4
2015 Matt CampbellJason Candle 10-2
2014 Matt Campbell 9-4
2013 Matt Campbell 7-5
2012 Matt Campbell 9-4
2011 Matt Campbell 9-4
2010 Tim Beckman 8-5

2000s[]

Season Coach Record
2009 Tim Beckman 5-7
2008 Tom Amstutz 3-9
2007 Tom Amstutz 5-7
2006 Tom Amstutz 5-7
2005 Tom Amstutz 9-3
2004 Tom Amstutz 9-4
2003 Tom Amstutz 8-4
2002 Tom Amstutz 9-5
2001 Tom Amstutz 10-2
2000 Gary Pinkel 10-1

1990s[]

Season Coach Record
1999 Gary Pinkel 6-5
1998 Gary Pinkel 7-5
1997 Gary Pinkel 9-3
1996 Gary Pinkel 7-4
1995 Gary Pinkel 11-0-1
1994 Gary Pinkel 6-4-1
1993 Gary Pinkel 4-7
1992 Gary Pinkel 8-3
1991 Gary Pinkel 5-5-1
1990

Image gallery[]

Logos/Helmets[]

References[]

External Links[]