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Toledo Rockets linebacker Jamal Hines celebrates a sack in the home opener against Long Island on, September 1, at the Glass Bowl in Toledo.
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Game day preview: Massachusetts at Toledo football

BLADE/ISAAC RITCHEY

Game day preview: Massachusetts at Toledo football

For the second consecutive week, Toledo will be playing a team with a new coaching staff.

This time, however, the Rockets will have game film on the opponent.

UMass traveled to New Orleans last Saturday and was dispatched by Tulane 42-10 in the first game of Don Brown's second stint as the school's head coach. The former Michigan defensive coordinator, known affectionately as Dr. Blitz, will bring an aggressive defense to the Glass Bowl to face a Toledo offensive line that dealt with injuries during fall camp and didn't open as many holes as expected against FCS Long Island.

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"They're going to come after you," Toledo coach Jason Candle said. "That's a pressure team. By design, they try to do the best job they can to make it really hard on you to run the football, and then when they get you in third-and-long and second-and-long, they have ways to cut up the front and twist and pin their eyes back and come after the quarterback. It's a disruptive defense."

University of Toledo WR Jerjuan Newton makes a catch to score a touchdown against Ohio State CB Denzel Burke during the third quarter Sept. 17 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
Kyle Rowland
Jerjuan Newton emerging as big-play weapon for Toledo football

Here’s what to know about the matchup:

■ Who: Massachusetts (0-1) vs. Toledo (1-0)

■ When: 7 p.m. Saturday

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■ Where: Glass Bowl

■ Spread: Toledo by 28½

■ TV: ESPN Plus

■ Radio: 1370 AM; 1230 AM

■ Follow: Kyle Rowland

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toledo: Dallas Gant. The transfer from Ohio State looked at home in his first game as a Rocket, as the linebacker led the team with 11 tackles, including assisting on a tackle for loss, adding a pass breakup, and a forced fumble.

UMass: Tim Baldwin Jr. The transfer running back from Indiana was the most productive offensive player in the loss at Tulane, rushing for 65 yards on 13 carries. He had runs of seven, nine, 11, and 13 yards.

STATS TO KNOW

Eighth: Desjuan Johnson ranks eighth nationally with three tackles for loss.

14: UMass has 19 total transfers and 14 have come from Power Five programs.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

UMass quarterbacks vs. Toledo defensive backs: The Minutemen played two quarterbacks at Tulane — Gino Campiotti and Brady Olson — and they went a combined 4 of 11 for 17 yards with zero touchdowns and three interceptions. The longest pass play was 11 yards. Last week, Toledo only gave up 68 passing yards, with four pass breakups and an interception by safety Zachary Ford.

PREDICTION

The UT offense wasn't in midseason form last Thursday, which is to be understood, I guess, since it's not the middle of the season. Here's guessing quarterback Dequan Finn finds more wide receivers down the field this week. The UMass blitz could create issues for Toledo's offensive line, but it works both ways — if you gamble and get beat, the Rockets could have several big offensive plays. Most distressing for the Minutemen was their own offensive output last week. Now, they have to navigate a rowdy Glass Bowl on a Saturday night against an imposing UT defense that shows no mercy. Toledo 38, UMass 13.

WARMUP READING

Scouting report: Toledo football vs. Massachusetts

How a 12-team football playoff impacts the Mid-American Conference

First Published September 10, 2022, 1:00 p.m.

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Toledo Rockets linebacker Jamal Hines celebrates a sack in the home opener against Long Island on, September 1, at the Glass Bowl in Toledo.  (BLADE/ISAAC RITCHEY)
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