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Washington, D.C. - Toledo used its powerful offense and a bend-but-don't-break defense to capture an exciting 42-41 victory over Air Force in the Military Bowl, in a game that came down to the final minute. The Rockets (9-4) never trailed in a see-saw affair in which there were three ties and the largest point margin was 14 points.
With 52 seconds left in the game, Air Force scored what appeared to be the game-tying touchdown when Falcons receiver Jonathan Warzeka caught a wide open 33-yard pass from quarterback Tim Jefferson.
Air Force (7-6) lined up in a traditional extra-point formation but opted to go for two points on a trick play. Holder David Baska took the snap and headed for the end zone, but sophomore defensive end Jayrone Elliott stripped the ball loose from Baska. The ball bounced in the direction of Parker Herrington, who tried to scoop up the loose ball but ending up kicking it out of the end zone leaving the Rockets with a 42-41 advantage and their first bowl victory since 2005.
The victory was a great vindication for a Rocket team that had survived numerous injuries this season--including three key injuries to its defense in this game. It was also a dramatic debut for head coach Matt Campbell, the Rockets' offensive coordinator who was named head coach just 16 days previously after Tim Beckman left to take the helm at Illinois. Campbell, at 32 the youngest head coach in the NCAA-FBS, coached the game from the coaches box, but managed to get down on the field in time to get a post-game Gatorade shower from the players.
The game itself was as expected--two powerful but different offenses exchanging blows throughout the game. What was unexpected for Toledo was the hero--sophomore wide receiver Bernard Reedy. Reedy caught a career-best three touchdown passes of 17, 49 and 37 yards, and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.
Toledo's offensive stars had a big role in the victory, too. Junior Eric Page caught 13 passes, giving him 306 for his career and moving him into a three-way for first place on the all-time Mid-American Conference career receptions leaders list. The mark is shared by Josh Davis, a receiver at Marshall from 2001-04, and Jordan White, a senior at Western Michigan.
Senior running back Adonis Thomas led UT in rushing, breaking the 1,000-yard mark for the second-straight season, as he toted the ball 22 times for 108 yards and a touchdown. It is the fifth-straight game that Thomas has topped the 100-yard ledger.
Sophomore Terrance Owens went most of the way at quarterback, completing 19-of-24 passes for 210 yards and three TDs, all to Reedy.
The Rockets' defense was led by junior linebacker Dan Molls, who had a game-high 12 tackles but left the game in the second half with a concussion. Both of Toledo starting defensive tackles--Johnathan Lamb and Johnnie Roberts--were injured on the same play in the first half. But the rest of the defense stepped up, most notably junior safety Jermaine Robinson, whose athletic 37-yard interceptiion return for a touchdown gave Toledo a 35-28 lead midway through the third quarter.
The Falcons tied the score at 35-35 moments later with a short 50-yard drive capped by a two-yard run by Mike DeWitt. The score stayed knotted until Reedy scored his third TD of the game. Reedy caught a short pass from Owens on the left side, spun off a defender and cut back to the middle of the field to give the Rockets the 42-35 lead with 5:01 left in regulation.
Air Force came back and almost used up the entire clock in its final drive before scoring with 52 seconds left. After Air Force was foiled on its two-point conversion attempt, Eric Page recovered the ensuing on-side kick and Toledo ran out the clock.
The excitment of the conclusion of the game was preceeded by a first-half explosion of scoring. The Rockets jumped out to a 14-0 lead over the Falcons in a span of 16 seconds. The first score of the game came on a 17-yard pass from Owens to Reedy on their second possession of the game. On the ensuing kickoff, Desmond Marrow forced a fumble by Air Force's Cody Getz that was recovered by Junior Sylvestre. On the first play of the next possession, Thomas took the handoff from Austin Dantin and scampered 41 yards to pay dirt.
Air Force scored its first points of the game off a 22-yard run by Jefferson with 2:29 left in the first quarter, making it 14-7.
Page quickly widened Toledo's lead back to 14 points, returning the next kickoff 87-yards for a touchdown to give UT a 21-7 lead. It was his first kick-off return for a score this season, following a 2010 campaign in which he earned All-American honors as the only player in the country to return three for touchdowns.
Air Force didn't waste much time either, as running back Mike DeWitt punched it in from three yards out on the next drive, following a 60-yard dash around the edge by wide receiver Jonathan Warzeka. The score cut the Toledo lead to 21-14.
Air Force tied the game at 21-21 with 9:43 remaining in the second quarter. Asher Clark took a pitch wide to the right side to convert from one yard out on fourth down.
Toledo regained a 28-21 advantage at the 7:49 mark of the second quarter, when Owens connected with Reedy for the second time of the day, this time a 49-yard touchdown pitch-and-catch.
The Falcons tied the score 28-28 with 2:07 remaining in the second quarter, when Jefferson connected with Warzeka on a 37-yard touchdown completion on fourth down.
TOLEDO, OH – University of Toledo head football coach Matt Campbell announced today that former Mount Union assistant coach Tom Manning will re-join the UT staff and assume the position of offensive line coach for the Rockets.
Manning, who previously served on the UT staff from 2009-10, began coaching at today’s practice and will be on the sideline for Toledo’s game vs. Air Force in the Military Bowl on Dec. 28. Manning and Campbell were teammates for one season at Mount Union. Campbell also was Manning’s position coach in his senior season with the Purple Raiders.
“We’re very excited that Tom Manning will be re-joining our staff at the University of Toledo,” said Campbell. “I had the great pleasure to coach Tom as a player and work with him when he was on our staff as a graduate assistant. With his knowledge of our program, we feel he can step right in and fit into our system.”
“I know from my first time at Toledo that this is a very special place,” said Manning. “I’m excited for the opportunity to work with Coach Campbell and this great staff.”
Manning, 28, coached the offensive line for Mount Union this past season. The Purple Raiders went 14-1 and advanced to the Division III national championship game before losing to Wisconsin-Whitewater, 13-10.
Manning’s first stint with the Rockets began in 2009 when he was hired as a graduate assistant. He worked with the offense under Campbell’s guidance. Manning next served as UT’s director of football operations for the 2010 season.
A native of Youngstown, OH, Manning was a two-time all-conference player at Ursuline High School. He made first-team all-state as a senior, and led his school to the Division IV state championship in 2000. He played his college ball at Mount Union, where he was a two-time all-conference player at left tackle. Manning, who was a team captain as a senior, helped his team win NCAA Division III national championships in 2002 and 2005. The Purple Raiders had a 59-3 record during his time on the team.
Manning began his coaching career as the offensive line coach at Massillon (OH) Jackson High School in 2006. His first job at the collegiate level was at Emory & Henry (VA) College, where he was the offensive line/run game coordinator from 2007-08.
Manning and his wife Sally were married in June of 2010.
Mike Ward, Alex Golesh Resign From Staff
Campbell also announced today that assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator Mike Ward and tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator Alex Golesh have resigned to accept positions on former UT head coach Tim Beckman’s staff at Illinois.
"Mike Ward and Alex Golesh were a big part of the success we’ve had here the past three seasons,” said Campbell. “I want to wish them and their families all the best at the University of Illinois and in all their future endeavors.”
Campbell added that Ward and Golesh will not be coaching in the Military Bowl and that their positions would be filled after the bowl game.
TOLEDO, OH - University of Toledo Athletic Director Mike O'Brien announced today that interim head football coach Matt Campbell will assume the head coaching position on a permanent basis. Campbell was named interim head coach on Dec. 9, replacing Tim Beckman who resigned to become the head coach at the University of Illinois. Campbell becomes the 26th head football coach in the 91-year history of Toledo football.
"We are very pleased that Matt Campbell has agreed to become the head football coach at the University of Toledo," said UT Athletic Director Mike O'Brien. "There is no doubt that Matt has done a terrific job in his three years as our offensive coordinator. The performance of our offense speaks for itself. But I have also been very impressed with Matt as a person and as a leader of young men. He is quite simply a very exceptional football coach, and I believe the best person to lead this program going forward. We are very excited for the future of Rocket football under Matt's guidance."
"I'm honored to become the next head football coach at the University of Toledo," said Campbell. "I would like to thank Mike O'Brien and President Lloyd Jacobs for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank Tim Beckman, the Rocket coaching staff and most of all the young men on this football team who have helped me reach my goal of becoming a head football coach. Finally, I would like to thank my parents and my wife, Erica, for all their love and support in helping make this day possible."
Campbell will get his first chance to coach the Rockets on Dec. 28 vs. Air Force in the Military Bowl in Washington, D.C.
"I'm looking forward to the work ahead of us," Campbell said. "We have an important bowl game to play on Dec. 28, as well as a recruiting class to sign and a coaching staff to hire. But most of all we need to get to work on our ultimate goal of bringing a MAC championship back to Toledo."
Campbell, 32, is now the youngest head football coach in Division I (FBS). He served three seasons as the Rockets' offensive coordinator, and also was responsible for coaching the offensive line. The Rockets currently rank eighth in the nation in total offense (493.2) and scoring offense (42.3) this season, as well as third in fewest turnovers (12). The Rockets' offense gained the national spotlight when it scored more than 60 points in consecutive games for the first time in school history: 60 points vs. Northern Illinois on Nov. 1 and 66 vs. Western Michigan on Nov. 8.
The Rockets' offense also features one of the most exciting players in the country, junior wide receiver Eric Page. Page ranks third in the nation in receptions with 112 and is a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player. He made first-team All-MAC at three positions: wide receiver, punt returner and kickoff returner.
Campbell also mentored an offensive line that ranks sixth in the nation with just nine sacks allowed this season, and features two All-MAC players, Mike VanDerMeulen (first team) and Zac Kerin (second team).
Campbell played a big role in Toledo's resurgence in 2010, a season that saw the Rockets go 8-5 and make their first bowl appearance in five years. Under Campbell, the Rockets ranked third in the Mid-American Conference in both scoring and total offense. Page was third in the MAC in receptions with 99, and earned numerous All-America honors as a kickoff returner. Running back Adonis Thomas rushed for 1,098 yards and led the conference with 6.3 yards per carry. Campbell also led a very effective offensive line, including junior tackle Mike VanDerMeulen, a third-team All-MAC selection.
In 2009, Campbell helped guide UT to the 16th-ranked offense in the country (437.9 yards per game), despite losing senior quarterback Aaron Opelt to injury midway through the season. The Rockets also ranked No. 1 in fourth-down conversions (80.0 percent) and No. 18 in passing yards (278.1). Four Rockets earned All-MAC honors, while Page led the nation in receptions by a freshman and was named first-team Freshman All-America by Phil Steele and the College Football News.
Campbell has earned national attention for his recruiting, as well. Rivals.com named him a "top recruiter" in 2011. Campbell was one of nine coaches from non-automatic qualifying schools in the BCS to make the list, and the only one from the Mid-American Conference. Toledo's 2011 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the MAC by both Scout.com and Rivals.com.
Prior to his service at UT, Campbell served as an assistant coach at Bowling Green for two seasons, one as the offensive line coach (2007) and one as the offensive line coach/running game coordinator (2008). The Falcons participated in the GMAC Bowl in the 2007 season.
Campbell began his coaching career as the offensive graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 2003 and 2004, working with the tight ends for teams that won the 2003 Motor City Bowl and 2004 GMAC Bowl. He then spent two years as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Mount Union.
Campbell, a 2002 graduate of Mount Union, was a member of five national championship teams as a coach and player for the Purple Raiders. He was a two-time first-team All-American and was voted as the Ohio Athletic Conference's Best Defensive Lineman in 2001 and 2002. He was a vital member of three MUC teams which won national titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. During his career at Mount Union, he had 207 tackles, 49 tackles for loss and 22 sacks. Campbell also excelled in the classroom, earning CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. In his final two years of his stay at Mount Union, Campbell was the offensive coordinator on a team that won back-to-back national titles.
A native of Massillon, OH, Campbell attended Perry High School. He and his wife Erica have two daughters, Katelyn (3) and Isabella (2).
Matt CampbellAge: 32 (born Nov. 29, 1979)Hometown: Massillon, OHHigh School: PerryAlma Mater: Mount Union '02Family: Wife Erica; children Katelyn (3) and Isabella (2).
Coaching Experience: 2011 Toledo - Head Coach2010-11 Toledo - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line2009 Toledo - Run-Game Coordinator/Offensive Line2008 Bowling Green - Offensive Line/Run-Game Coordinator2006-07 Bowling Green - Offensive Line2004-05 Mount Union - Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line2003-04 Bowling Green - Graduate Assistant
TOLEDO, OH - University of Toledo Mike O'Brien announced today that offensive coordinator Matt Campbell will serve as the Rockets' interim head coach, replacing Tim Beckman who will be introduced as the new head coach at the University of Illinois today.
O'Brien said that Campbell will lead the Rockets at the Military Bowl vs. Air Force on Dec. 28, adding that a national search for Beckman's permanent replacement will begin as soon as possible.
"We wish Coach Beckman and his family the very best in their new life at the University of Illinois," said O'Brien. "Tim did an outstanding job in his three years with the Rockets. He built a solid foundation based on discipline and personal accountability, and he leaves our football program in very good shape for our next head coach.
"In the meantime, we have a very important bowl game coming up on Dec. 28, and we are pleased that Matt Campbell will be leading our team on an interim basis and serving as our head coach for the game vs. Air Force. Matt has done a great job guiding our offense the past three years, and we look forward to his leadership in what should be an exciting game in our nation's capital."
Beckman, 46, was 21-16 in three seasons with the Rockets, 17-7 in MAC play. He led the Rockets to an 8-5 record in 2010, as well as a berth in the 2010 Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit, UT's first bowl since 2005. This past season, Toledo went 8-4, 7-1 in MAC play, and earned their second consecutive bowl trip.
Campbell, 32, is in his third season as the Rockets' offensive coordinator, and also is responsible for coaching the offensive line. Under Campbell's guidance, the Rockets rank eighth in the nation in total offense (493.2) and scoring offense (42.3) this season, as well as third in fewest turnovers (12). He also mentored an offensive line that ranks sixth in the nation with just nine sacks allowed this season. The Rockets' offense features one of the most exciting players in the country, junior wide receiver Eric Page. Page ranks third in the nation in receptions with 112 and is a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player. He made first-team All-MAC at three positions: wide receiver, punt returner and kickoff returner.
Prior to his service at UT, Campbell served as an assistant coach at Bowling Green for two seasons, one as the offensive line coach (2007) and one as the offensive line coach/running game coordinator (2008). He began his coaching career as the offensive graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 2003 and 2004. He then spent two years as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Mount Union.
Campbell, a 2002 graduate of Mount Union, was a member of five national championship teams as a coach and player for the Purple Raiders. He was a two-time first-team All-American and was voted as the Ohio Athletic Conference's Best Defensive Lineman in 2001 and 2002. He was a vital member of three MUC teams which won national titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. During his career at Mount Union, Campbell earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors. In his final two years of his stay at Mount Union, Campbell was the offensive coordinator on a team that won back-to-back national titles.
Campbell and his wife Erica have two daughters, Katelyn (3), and Isabella (2).
TOLEDO, OH - The University of Toledo has accepted an invitation to play the Air Force Academy of the Mountain West Conference in the 2011 Military Bowl at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., UT Athletic Director Mike O'Brien announced on Sunday. The Military Bowl will be played at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 28 and will be televised on ESPN.
"We are very excited to be selected to play the Air Force Academy in the Military Bowl," said UT Athletic Director Mike O'Brien. "I think our players, coaches and fans will enjoy a terrific bowl experience in our nation's capitol over the holidays."
"I think the Military Bowl will provide our student-athletes with a terrific bowl experience in Washington D.C., as well as the opportunity to play against a very tough Air Force team,” said head coach Tim Beckman. “I'm very proud of this team. This is a excellent reward for all the hard work put in by our players, coaches and everyone involved in the success our of team."
This will be the 12th bowl for Toledo. The Rockets have an 8-3 bowl record, and most recently played in the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit vs. Florida International.
Toledo (8-4, 7-1 MAC) was co-champion of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference along with Northern Illinois. The Huskies advanced to the MAC Championship Game by virtue of a 63-60 victory over Toledo on Nov. 1. Toledo’s other losses were to Boise State, Ohio State and Syracuse.
Air Force (7-5, 3-4 MWC) won four of its final five games to gain bowl eligibility. The Falcons beat New Mexico, Army, UNLV and Colorado State in that stretch.
Toledo is one of five Mid-American Conference schools to accept bowl invitations today. The other three are 10-3 Northern Illinois (GoDaddy.com Bowl in Mobile, AL); 9-4 Ohio (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, ID); 8-4 Temple (Gildan New Mexico Bowl); and 7-5 Western Michigan (Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit).
