Ohio (7-3, 5-1 Mid-American Conference) is preparing for its biggest game of the season, a matchup with more title implications than any other against Toledo (7-3, 4-2 MAC). Ohio enters on a streak of three straight wins of multiple scores, while Toledo comes in fresh off a 27-point win against Central Michigan.
History will be against Ohio as it walks into the Glass Bowl, a place where it holds an abhorrent 1-16 all-time record.
Toledo holds one of the best home-field advantages in the MAC, having lost just one home game this season, but Ohio will have plenty of motivation to win. With two weeks to play in the season, Ohio controls its destiny. If Ohio can take down Toledo Wednesday and then Ball State in the season's final week, it automatically clinches a spot in the MAC title game.
Here is all you need to know about Toledo.
Head coach
Jason Candle is the reigning MAC Coach of the Year after Toledo’s run to the MAC Championship Game in 2023. Candle is one of the conference’s winningest coaches, with 68 career wins over nine seasons.
Candle has won two MAC Championships with Toledo, one of which was against Ohio in 2022.
Quarterback
Toledo quarterback Tucker Gleason has been one of the most efficient passers in the conference in nine games. Gleason is ranked second in the MAC in passing yards per game, averaging just over 225 per contest.
The Rockets junior quarterback has been careful with the ball all season, with 19 passing touchdowns to seven interceptions, one of the best ratios in the MAC.
Running backs
The Rockets are a more passing-heavy offense, ranking ninth in the MAC in rushing and taking a committee approach to the running back position. Sophomore Connor Walendzak is the leading rusher with 368 yards and one touchdown this season.
Behind him are backs Jacquez Stuart, Sevaughn Clark and Willie Shaw III. The trio has totaled 571 yards on the season and five rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Tucker Gleason is also a reliable threat on the ground with 268 yards and six touchdowns this season.
Wide receivers
Headlining the Toledo receiving group is senior Jerjuan Newton. The Florida native has been very productive this season, going for 823 yards and 10 touchdowns, numbers that are good for third and first in the MAC among pass catchers.
The second option behind Newton, Junior Vandeross III, is no slouch either, as he is sixth in the MAC in receiving with 653 yards and four touchdowns. Anthony Torres rounds out the group as the third receiver with 241 yards and six touchdowns.
Defense
Toledo's defense is a solid unit, ranking above average in the MAC in almost every category. The Rockets are fifth in both scoring and yardage defense while ranking third in rushing defense and sixth in passing defense.
Linebackers Daniel Bolden and Maxen Hook are the anchors of the defense, ranking first and second on the team in tackles. In the back end, Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and Braden Awls make for a great safety duo as they are third and fourth on the team in tackles.
