Michael Roberts is something of a practice legend. Or at least he used to be.

The sophomore tight end from Cleveland is built like an offensive tackle — 6-foot-4, 270 pounds — but he was one of the top wide receivers in Ohio and a star basketball player in high school. University of Toledo's coaches raved about Roberts' ability, though until last week's game against Massachusetts, he had not made a catch in a game.

All that most people knew about No. 80 was his practice acumen.

“Until you really, actually have that success on the field in a critical situation, I think it's a little bit of what-if,” UT coach Matt Campbell said. “What can he do? What if his number does get called?”

Roberts made what Campbell called “the two biggest plays of the game” against UMass, catching two passes — both in crucial situations — for 50 yards and a touchdown.

Roberts played in three games last season, but did not record a catch. He missed the first four games this year after spraining both ankles, but had his opportunity last Saturday when tight end Alex Zmolik was out with a concussion.

Roberts quickly noticed he would have a chance for a few big plays.

“I was wide open down the seam the first few times, so I came back to the huddle and told [UT quarterback] Logan Woodside the defense was leaving me open,” Roberts said. “I knew it was going to be there.”

Woodside took Roberts' advice on a third-and-8 with the Rockets down 20-7 in the second quarter. The quarterback threw a back-shoulder pass to Roberts, who was able to fight off UMass defensive back Joe Colton for a 14-yard touchdown.

“He got his hand in there with the ball, I had to try to catch it and keep his hand from knocking it out,” Roberts said. “Luckily I did.”

With the game tied at 35 and less than two minutes to play, the Rockets had what Roberts called a broken play. Woodside was able to scramble away from the rush and find Roberts, who was wide open down the field.

The 36-yard gain set up UT inside the UMass 30-yard line, which eventually led to the game-winning score in the Rockets’ 42-35 win.

Campbell said the Rockets expect more of the same from Roberts this year.

“His futute's endless, both here and after here if he continues to work and really get better,” Campbell said. “He's just another weapon for us as we get further along in the season because we can use him in a multitude of different ways.”

ELLIOTT BACK: Former Rocket and current Green Bay Packer Jayrone Elliott returned Wednesday to UT to speak with the football team. With Green Bay on a bye week, Elliott visited Toledo to judge a dunk contest with the men's basketball team, and he stopped by football practice to speak to many of his former teammates.

Now playing outside linebacker instead of defensive end, Elliott has slimmed down from his UT days.

“He's got it both on and off the field. He's a pretty special dude,” Campbell said. “But I told him I wished he would've looked like that a year ago.”

INJURY UPDATE: Zmolik returned to practice this week following his concussion. Campbell said Wednesday he expected Zmolik to be available Tuesday at Kent State.

First Published November 1, 2014, 4:00 a.m.