TUCSON — The University of Toledo’s backfield just got a lot emptier.

Running back Peny Boone announced Tuesday night that he will enter the transfer portal. 

“We lost some guys in the transfer portal,” Toledo coach Jason Candle said in Arizona Tuesday night. “It’s a next-man-up mentality.”  

Boone rushed for 1,400 yards on 194 carries this season with 15 rushing touchdowns and added 15 catches for 219 yards and a receiving touchdown, earning Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. He was UT’s first offensive player of the year since quarterback Logan Woodside in 2017 and just the third ever.

Boone ranks seventh nationally in total rushing yards (1,400 yards) and yards per carry (7.2 yards), ninth in rushing touchdowns (15), and 11th in rushing yards per game (107.6 yards). He had eight 100-plus-yard performances, including a career-high 211 yards against Western Michigan. He was named MAC West offensive player of the week three times this season, averaging 129.8 yards in eight conference games.

UT has now lost its starting quarterback (Dequan Finn) and running back to the transfer portal. Finn — who is transferring to Baylor — and Boone were high school teammates at Detroit Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Boone transferred to UT from Maryland. On Friday, the NCAA announced that multi-time transfers would be eligible this fall. 

Micah Kelly, another running back, transferred to Samford earlier this month. 

Jacquez Stuart (475 yards) and Willie Shaw III (115 yards) are the only other running backs on the roster who gained 100 total rushing yards this season. 

Toledo closes out the season on Saturday against Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl.

First Published December 27, 2023, 12:22 a.m.