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| | Saturday, September 2 Rockets loaded for championship flight | |||||
| By George Porter Special to ESPN.com Toledo Rockets 1999 record: 6-5 (5-3 MAC) Coach: Gary Pinkel Returning starters: 18 (10 offense, 8 defense) Outlook Before Marshall joined the MAC, Toledo was the name on the top. This season, the Rockets have plans on becoming the top team again. The offense is loaded, with RB Chester Taylor leading the way. Taylor rushed for over 1,100 yards last season despite playing much of the year on two sprained ankles. Tavares Bolden could be an upper-echelon QB in the MAC if he develops more consistency and accuracy. He worked all spring on his footwork, added nearly 10 pounds of bulk (he benches 325 pounds) and did it without losing any of his 4.5 speed. He has his entire receiver corps back, led by seniors Mel Long and Lyle Green. And if that's not enough, four starters return from last season's very good line that allowed just eight sacks. The defense for the Rockets will be as scary as last season. The Rockets had the second best defense in the conference last year and returning seniors Kevin Rollins and DeJuan Goulde plan on doing it again. Rollins is linebacker who seemingly involved in every play and Goulde is a dominating force on the line. If there is a weak spot, it's the secondary. Keep an eye on ... RB Chester Taylor. Taylor missed the better part of three games last season and still had over 1,100 yards. He's healthy and with the expected improvement of Bolden, should have even more room to run this year. It's a good season if ... They knock off Marshall when the Herd visits Oct. 14. A win over the defending champs should launch the Rockets to the MAC championship game. |
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