Every offense wants to produce highlights and points.
Since Jason Candle began calling plays for Toledo in 2012, the emphasis on chunk plays has multiplied. And the Rockets have often answered their coach’s call.
Even amid last season’s tumultuous 7-6 record, UT had one of the best offenses in the country at creating big plays. Through three games in 2022, the player who looks poised to lift the Rocket offense is Jerjuan Newton.
The sophomore wide receiver ranks in the top 20 nationally in plays over 30 and 40 yards. He has 202 yards receiving and two touchdowns, with catches of 40, 40, and 39 yards in each of the first three games.
“We’re always trying to take in plays throughout the course of the week that are going to allow our guys to have explosive plays and take shots,” Candle said. “He has a great rapport with the quarterback. They have a great relationship. They’re in sync. That’s shown up on tape the first few weeks. Hopefully, that continues.”
On Saturday, Toledo will face a defense that ranks 98th (out of 131) against the pass. Opponents are averaging 260.3 passing yards per game versus San Diego State, which has given up nine touchdown passes. Only five teams have allowed more. The Aztecs have just one interception, and they’re 93rd in nationally in surrendering plays of 20 or more yards.
“The more explosive you can be, the more the defense will be on their heels,” UT quarterback Dequan Finn said. “They aren't going to have a plan.”
The connection between Newton and Finn dates to their first year on campus. The roommates would walk from the dorms to the Fetterman Training Center in the freezing cold all winter to throw passes and run routes.
Repetition harmonized the quarterback-wide receiver duo.
Living together created a friendship.
“It’s got a lot to do with trust,” Newton said. “When I line up out there, sometimes we’ll give each other a look, and I know to go make the play. We have a lot of trust.”
The emergence of Newton as a potential game breaker isn’t breaking news. He popped up during the pandemic-shortened season as a reliable target, catching 15 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns. His numbers last season dipped despite playing twice as many games. But his name was mentioned throughout the offseason as a big-play threat.
The Rockets have five pass plays over 30 yards, and three of them have been caught by Newton.
“For these guys, it’s a social thing. When we’re on the field for two hours, nobody is running routes for two straight hours,” Candle said. “There’s organic communication going on. Maybe it’s laughing, giggling, and poking fun at each other. There’s communication that’s happening, a relationship being formed, and respect that’s being created. You’re going to trust people that you communicate with at a high level. Those guys respect each other’s work ethic. At the quarterback position and the wide receiver position, you have to be in sync. Timing and ball placement wins over good defense every day of the week.”
Toledo witnessed what timing and on-the-money precision can manufacture. C.J. Stroud had several passes that were caught along the sideline that could only be caught by an Ohio State receiver and could not be deflected by a Toledo defensive back.
And Candle, a former wide receiver at Mount Union, lived the QB-WR dynamic. He didn’t lead the team in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns by accident as a senior. Just like Newton and Finn didn’t perfect their symmetry over some practices during fall camp.
“Toledo’s offense has always been one of the most explosive offenses,” Newton said. “We just have to keep clicking and keep working.”
First Published September 23, 2022, 2:45 p.m.
