University of Toledo football is one season removed from a near upset of a top 10 opponent.
The Rockets were in striking distance of taking down then No. 8 Notre Dame in South Bend last season. Can Toledo complete an upset this year?
Toledo (2-0) travels to No. 3 Ohio State (2-0) on Saturday in the program’s first meeting since 2011. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Ohio Stadium on Fox.
Here is what Ohio State said about Toledo during Tuesday’s press conferences.
HEAD COACH RYAN DAY
On Toledo coach Jason Candle: “Very, very good coach. He and I spent some time together during camps and in the coaching circles. He’s a very, very good coach. You can tell his teams are always prepared. He’s got a good team again this year. All you have to do is look back to last year and the way they played in South Bend. With the transfer portal, they’ve added some nice pieces. He runs a great program, and he’s got some good players, and he’s got a really good staff.”
On Dallas Gant: “Throughout the whole recruiting process, Dallas and his family were excellent, and while he was here, same thing. It’s great to see him playing. I wish he was playing for us. It’s not great when you have to go play someone who was in your program already. He comes from a great family, a great program. We’re all getting used to this transfer portal and how it works, and this is the positive side of the transfer portal, an opportunity for someone to go play. I’m glad he’s doing well.”
On what jumps out about Toledo: “Well coached, first off. Good players, good skill, a couple of really good guys defensively up front, they’ve upgraded in a couple of areas with the transfer portal, and a team that will come in here and play really hard. They’re not going to come into Ohio Stadium and be intimidated at all. You combine all those things, and you have a really good opponent.”
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JIM KNOWLES
On Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn: “He can run anytime he wants to. Not as much designed quarterback run. We have to be ready for that. He makes a lot of plays with his feet in scrambling situations. We really need to be aware of what he can do. But he has all the tools, makes all the throws, very capable.”
First Published September 13, 2022, 8:40 p.m.
