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Toledo running back Peny Boone (13) and offensive lineman Devan Rogers (56) celebrate Boone's touchdown against Central Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 24 in Mount Pleasant, Mich.
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Toledo football wants to send seniors out as champions — again

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Toledo football wants to send seniors out as champions — again

Dyontae Johnson, Desjuan Johnson, Jamal Hines, Mitch Berg, and the rest of the University of Toledo’s seniors triumphantly paraded around the Ford Field turf, disinterested in ever leaving the celebratory scene enveloping them.

Those images unfolded last season when the Rockets won their first Mid-American Conference championship since 2017. The group of seniors accomplished what they had set out for — returning Toledo to the MAC’s mountaintop.

MOTOWN SHOWDOWN

Who: Toledo (11-1) vs. Miami (10-2).

When: Saturday, noon.

Where: Ford Field, Detroit.

TV: ESPN.

Line: Toledo by 7 1/2

One year later, the same story could unfold in Detroit, creating another memorable sendoff on Saturday against Miami. 

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“History is on the line,” senior defensive tackle Judge Culpepper said. “It hasn’t happened since the 70s, so obviously we’re stoked to try and go do that. I’m grateful and excited that I’ve been part of two really good teams, and I’d love to cap it off with something we’ve worked really hard towards. I know we’re all excited. Hopefully, we can put on a great game for everybody and get a W.”

The Rockets haven’t won consecutive MAC championships since the Chuck Ealey teams won three straight from 1969 to 1971, part of a 35-game winning streak that hasn’t been matched by any FBS team since.

College football rosters are out of balance because of the coronavirus pandemic, with seventh-year and sixth-year seniors becoming a common sight. Safety Zachary Ford was around for Toledo’s 2017 MAC title, but most of Toledo’s seniors were introduced to college with 7-6 and 6-6 seasons in 2018 and 2019.

Returning the Rockets to prominence became imperative. It started with several staff changes by Candle, the continuation of talented recruiting classes, and the development of the best players in the MAC. Candle has also expertly navigated the transfer portal era.

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Former Ohio State linebacker Dallas Gant could have gone to another Power Five school when he entered the transfer portal in 2021, but he chose to stay in his hometown because of his belief in UT. Now he’s on the verge of going 2-for-2 in MAC championship games.

“It’s very impactful for this city, for this team, and for the seniors,” Gant said. “It’s important to send these guys out the right way. A lot of people were here last year, and they remember the feeling of accomplishment. We want to get back to that point. But you can’t make the moment too big.”

The first time Toledo and Miami played — on Oct. 21 in Oxford — the Rockets jumped out to a 21-3 halftime lead, holding on in the fourth quarter for a 21-17 victory. The RedHawks were driving for a potential game-winning touchdown when Adrian Woliver knocked the ball loose from quarterback Aveon Smith, and UT recovered to seal the game.

Miami’s 17 points were its second-lowest output of the season, and it had less than 300 total yards and less than 100 rushing yards.

“I like our offense, but I like their defense. We had 17 points,” Miami coach Chuck Martin said. “They’re stingy. They don’t give up a lot. They’re so damn experienced. They have so many weapons. Their third corner [RJ Delancy III], I’m voting for all-league. There are only 12 guys you can nominate. Toledo has way more than 12 all-league players.

“I can’t vote for my guys, so I’d vote for Toledo’s first corner [Quinyon Mitchell], Toledo’s second corner [Chris McDonald], and Toledo’s third corner. He wasn’t even on the ballot. But he plays nickel and he plays dime. He plays a ton. They have really good players and they’re really experienced.”

Some of that experience will play in their final MAC championship game. Others are traditional seniors but have more eligibility. They all have the same thought consuming their minds — win, again.

LONGEST STREAKS

Toledo has won 11 straight games since dropping its season opener at Illinois. Here are the longest active win streaks in college football.

29 games: Georgia

19: Washington.

18: Florida State.

13: Liberty.

12: Michigan.

11: Toledo.

10: Alabama.

10: Tulane.

The last time Toledo won back-to-back MAC titles the roster had a similar makeup — veterans and an even longer winning streak. On Saturday, the Rockets hope they can party like it’s 1971.

“It’s another game. It’s the next one for us,” Candle said. “It’s presented as that. It’s talked about as that. From a practice standpoint, I don’t think this becomes any different than another game. But it’d be crazy to not think it’s different, just from the emotion of it and sending these seniors out with a ring. That’s the name of the game, all the way back to January. And oh, by the way, every team talks about the same thing.

“We have a tremendous win streak right now. We’ve had great play throughout the course of the MAC schedule. We’ve done a lot of things that no other team in the history of the school has done. We want to continue to add to that legacy.”

First Published November 28, 2023, 7:48 p.m.

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Toledo running back Peny Boone (13) and offensive lineman Devan Rogers (56) celebrate Boone's touchdown against Central Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college football game Nov. 24 in Mount Pleasant, Mich.  (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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