Tag: Toledo Rockets

Revisiting Iowa’s three stars in Toledo blowout

As the Hawkeyes gear up for their first road test at Drake, here’s a look back at their three stars vs. Toledo.

Iowa women’s basketball cruised to a 3-0 record on Wednesday night after a thorough 94-57 blowout victory over the Toledo Rockets from Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The Hawkeyes controlled nearly every facet of the game on Wednesday night as the team shot 31-for-54 (57.4%) from the field, which included 4-for-14 (28.6%) from 3-point range and 28-for-32 (87.5%) from the free throw line.

Iowa secured 39 total rebounds on the night and dished out 18 assists. The Hawkeyes dominated down low, scoring 52 of their 94 points in the paint.

Defensively, the Hawkeyes held the Rockets to 21-of-67 (31.3%) from the field while registering 33 defensive rebounds, six blocks, and six steals to thwart the Toledo attack.

The victory against Toledo was truly a full team effort as five Hawkeyes scored in double figures and every available player received playing time.

Although every player had impactful contributions Wednesday night, three Hawkeyes stood out as difference-makers in the game.

Hannah Stuelke

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Hannah Stuelke led the Hawkeyes in scoring with 17 points on 4-for-6 shooting from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 night from the free throw line. She also collected nine rebounds, two assists, and one block on 22:25 of playing time.

Stuelke’s performance is her 39th career game in double figures.

Lucy Olsen

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Lucy Olsen continued her torrid start to the season by scoring 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field. Olsen also registered four assists and two rebounds in her 29:58 on the court.

While it is a small sample size, Olsen’s Wednesday performance improves her overall shooting percentage to 51.1% to start her Iowa career and adds to her team-leading 17.7 points per game.

Taylor McCabe

Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Scoring a total of 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the field, Taylor McCabe was able to provide the Hawkeyes with valuable points from beyond the arc by finishing 4-of-8 from deep. The junior forward also collected four rebounds during her 18:19 minutes of game time off the bench.

McCabe’s performance, in addition to the rest of the team off the bench, is a very promising sight for the Hawkeyes’ scoring depth moving forward.

Iowa returns to action on Sunday as it faces its first road test at Drake from inside the Knapp Center at 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

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Eastern Michigan completes Hail Mary, loses when two-point conversion fails

Eastern Michigan completed the Hail Mary but Toledo got the MAC win

Eastern Michigan had a prayer answered against Toledo on the final play of the game. They came up empty while going for the win instead of kicking a PAT to tie and force overtime.

The Eagles trailed the Rockets 29-22 and were down to their last gasp.

Terry Lockett caught a 36-yard pass from Cole Snyder to bring the Eagles within 29-28. A PAT would have forced overtime. Instead, Chris Creighton went for two and the win.

Avery Smith broke up the attempted pass and Toledo, which scored 22 points in the fourth quarter, had a 29-28 victory in MAC play.

Duke one of the finalists to land New Mexico State RB Star Thomas

Duke continues to attack the transfer portal hard in search of more pieces for the 2024 season as they are a finalist for transfer RB Star Thomas.

Duke football is far from being done constructing its roster for the 2024 season. It seems they still have a ways to go.

Recently, Bruno Fina, an offensive tackle who played last season at UCLA, hit the transfer portal and came out on the other side as a Duke Blue Devil.

Duke is now looking to boost its running back room, it appears. On3’s Pete Nakos reported on Wednesday that Manny Diaz’s team is one of four finalists for New Mexico State transfer tailback Star Thomas.

Thomas was a second-team All-Conference USA selection this past season. He rushed for 633 yards in 2023 and added four rushing touchdowns. He also caught 22 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns.

Throughout his career, he’s tallied 1,171 yards and 9 TDs on the ground along with 351 receiving yards and five scores as a passing weapon.

Duke’s competition includes newly minted ACC foe California, a sleeper team to win the SEC in Ole Miss, and the Toledo Rockets.

Thomas would be a welcome addition to Duke’s running back room. Since Jordan Waters’ departure to the NC State Wolfpack, the Blue Devils have been searching for a more proven option alongside Jaquez Moore, and Thomas certainly fills that role.

 

Lane Kiffin and the Rebels feel like the team to beat, but with Duke making the list as a finalist, we’ll see how things shake out when the dust settles.

12 takeaways from National team Senior Bowl practice day 2

From Bo Nix to Devontez Walker, here are 12 takeaways from the second day of practice for the first National Team at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl

We are back in Mobile for another day of action at the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. After a hard-hitting day one of action for the National team, they are back for another round of competitive one-on-ones and team drills to gear them up for the Senior Bowl game this Saturday at noon CST (NFL Network).

Managing Editor Tyler Forness has boots on the ground in Mobile, giving us insights on both teams as the 100+ NFL draft prospects duke it out to gain draft positioning.

Here are 12 takeaways that he took from day two of the National Team’s Senior Bowl practice.

11 takeaways from National team Senior Bowl practice day 1

Vikings Wire Tyler Forness gives insight on day one of practice for the Reese’s Senior Bowl’s National Team

The road to the NFL Draft has started as the Reese’s Senior Bowl is underway in Mobile, Alabama this week. Vikings Wire Managing Editor Tyler Forness has boots on the ground in Hancock-Whitney Stadium, home of the South Alabama Jaguars, giving us a first-hand look at the prospects who hope to live out their dreams as NFL players in April. 

For some, it’s a foregone conclusion that they will hear their names called as the draft rolls around. For others, they will have to earn that right. Forness will give us his insights as this week of practice goes along and highlight names that fans of all teams, not just the Minnesota Vikings, should keep their eye on. 

We start with the National Team, who ended their practice Tuesday morning.

Vikings 2024 NFL draft scouting report: Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell

Toledo CB Quinyon Mitchell was a ball hawk at Toledo. What do his 2024 NFL Draft prospects look like?

Welcome to SKOL Search!

This series will be your guide to the 2024 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.

The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at quarterback, running back, defensive line and edge rusher. We will also focus on wide receiver since it’s a loaded class and an increased chance to get a Stefon Diggs-type steal in the later rounds.

The Vikings are slated to have 9 picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.

Former Florida defensive back transfers to Toledo Rockets

Former Florida Gators defensive back finds new home with the Toledo Rockets

The offseason has been full of departures for the Florida Gators and another member of the 2023 football roster is on his way out the door to head north.

Florida defensive back [autotag]Jadarrius Perkins[/autotag] announced his commitment from the transfer portal to become the newest addition to the Toledo Rockets football program. Perkins entered the portal after the conclusion of college football’s Week 1.

Perkins is transferring from Florida as a graduate student after earning his degree in Education Sciences back in August.

The defensive back made this statement when he entered the portal, thanking the Florida Gators.

“I want to appreciate Dan Mullen and Scott Stricklin for giving me the opportunity to be a Gator, something I’ll remember and cherish forever,” Perkins wrote. “With that being said I have decided to enter my name in the Transfer Portal as a Graduate. A really unfortunate situation I love all of my teammates that has kept me up throughout everything.”

“I dropped everything to go and chase my dreams,” Perkins said in his announcement. “They thought I was crazy.”

Perkins appeared in 23 games throughout his career at UF, but only made one appearance this past season in the road loss to the Utah Utes in Week 1. The graduate student collected 40 tackles, including three for a loss, and a lone interception.

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Toledo’s Jonathon Batzke blasts 91-yard punt

Just your run of the mill 91-yard punt by Toledo’s Jonathon Batzke

This would be the definition of flipping the field.

The Toledo Rockets were pinned inside their 10 against the Buffalo Bulls in the fourth quarter on Saturday.

On came Jonathon Batzke to take care of the problem.

The redshirt freshman from Cairns, Australia, sent a rocket — yes, Toledo’s nickname is the Rockets, sorry — all the way through the other end zone.

Batzke is credited with a 91-yard punt. However, if you factor he kicked it from his end zone through the other end zone, it traveled more than 100 yards.

Batzke is not your typical redshirt freshman. He served in the Royal Australian Air Force from 2014-21 and was deployed in the Middle East in 2017. He also was selected to represent the RAAF Rugby League team 2019-21.

Incredibly, it wasn’t a school record. Brandon Hannum delivered a 92-yarder against Bowling  Green in 2001).

Back 4 MAC teams in Week 7: Mid-American Conference’s best bets

Analyzing Mid-American Conference betting odds and lines for Week 7, with picks and predictions for the best MAC bets to make.

It was a very nice Week 6 with the MAC plays, going a perfect 4-for-4 for the first time this season. After a dismal 0-4 start in Week 1, that’s actually 18-6 (75.0%) across the last 5 weekends of MAC play. Let’s keep it rolling in lucky Week 7.

Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the MAC’s Week 7 slate, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Check out: AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

MAC best bets for Week 7

– All games listed are Saturday and ET unless noted

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 8:08 a.m. ET.

Miami (Ohio) -6.5 (-122) at Bowling Green – Noon (ESPN+)

The RedHawks swoop into Doyt Perry Stadium looking to stay hot in a bird battle against the Falcons.

Miami posted a huge 27-24 win against Kent State last weekend, bouncing back from a 24-20 loss at Buffalo in the previous weekend. The RedHawks have cashed in 3 of the last 4 games overall, while alternating losses and wins in 6 outings this season.

Bowling Green was roughed up 38-7 against Buffalo last weekend at this very same venue, and it is now just 1-4-1 ATS overall on the season.

Miami has owned this series lately, winning 3 straight meetings, including a 38-23 win in the most recent meeting at Bowling Green on Sept. 22, 2018. The RedHawks are 3-0 ATS in the last 3 meetings, and 4-1 ATS in the previous 5 in the series.

Claim your risk-free bet up to $350. Catch the excitement and start betting with Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Bet now!

Connecticut +9.5 (-110) at Ball State – 2 p.m. (ESPN3)

The Cardinals have been a favorite of mine in this space, as Ball State has really come on lately after a slow start.

Ball State has won consecutive games, while going 3-1 SU/ATS in the last 4 games. It’s the 1st time the Cardinals have been favored since Sept. 17, a 31-0 win against Murray State of the FCS as a 21-point favorite.

UConn rolled up a 33-12 win at FIU, and it has managed back-to-back wins  to get within a game of .500 at 3-4 SU while posting an impressive 5-2 ATS mark.

I think the Cardinals are able to get it done at Scheumann Stadium, but a win by double digits is, pardon the pun, not in the Cards. The Huskies are playing with a lot of confidence lately, and should be able to keep it within 1 score.

Ohio at Western Michigan OVER 58.5 (-120) – 3:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

It’s been all about the Over for Ohio this season. The Bobcats rank 8th in the nation with 334.0 passing yards per game, and they have racked up 33.2 PPG to rank 43rd in the country.

Defensively, the Bobcats are a train wreck, and that’s a recipe for Over results on a regular basis. Ohio has allowed 40.7 PPG, and it is last in FBS in both total yards per game (561.2) and passing yards per game (386.8).

Ohio won last week at Peden Stadium against Akron, outlasting the Zips 55-34. It plays a lot of high-scoring games, allowing 31 or more points in all 3 games on the road this season.

Western Michigan isn’t nearly as prolific offensively, but that should change against the defensively-challenged Bobcats. And the Broncos are coming off a 45-23 loss, posting the Over last week in Kalamazoo. Look for plenty of points here.

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Toledo -7.5 (-107) vs. Kent State – 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Golden Flashes lost last 27-24 weekend, a costly setback against Miami-Ohio. Now, they must turn things around in a hostile environment in Toledo, or risk a 5th loss in 7 games. My how things have changed since lighting up the scoreboard last season?

Toledo had 77 dropped on them at Ohio State, showing it wasn’t quite ready for prime time, or anything close to it. But it is the cock of the walk in the MAC, going 4-2 overall and 2-0 inside the conference. It is also 3-0 SU at home, covering both games against FBS foes.

The Rockets have caught fire offensively, too, totaling 90 points in the last 2 wins and covers.

Kent State is 4-10 ATS in the last 14 games on the road, while going 5-16 ATS in the last 21 on the road against teams with a winning home record.

Toledo, on the other hand, is 5-0 ATS in the last 5 MAC games, and 8-1 ATS in the last 9 against teams with a losing overall record.

Want some action on these or any other NCAA football games? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!

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Back 4 MAC teams in Week 6: Mid-American Conference’s best bets

Analyzing Mid-American Conference betting odds and lines for Week 6, with picks and predictions for the best MAC bets to make.

Well, we split the 4 plays in Week 5 on the MAC card to avoid the losing weekend. It should’ve been another 3-1 week, but Northern Illinois crumbled in the 4th quarter at Ball State and eventually lost in overtime, turning a cover and win into a straight-up loss. Let’s get back on track in Week 6.

Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the MAC’s Week 6 slate, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.

Check out: AFCA Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports

Stream select live college football games and full replays: Get ESPN+

MAC best bets for Week 6

– All games listed are Saturday and ET unless noted

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 7:30 a.m. ET.

Ohio -10.5 (-112) vs. Akron – 2 p.m. (ESPN3)

If you’ve been a regular reader of this piece from the beginning, you know Akron has appeared a lot — and not as the pick. Fading the Zips is about the best thing you can do: they’re one of the worst teams in FBS and the books seem to give them a little more credit than they deserve for whatever reason.

Akron did put up a good fight against Bowling Green last weekend and played Liberty tough 2 weeks ago. However, this is a team that also barely squeaked by St. Francis (PA) of the FCS in the opener, needing OT to get the win. Akron ranks 128th in the nation in rushing, and 124th in points scored, and that defense is abysmal, too.

Ohio is looking to level up to 3-3 after a slow start. Two of their losses are to Power 5 teams Penn State and Iowa State, and last week’s OT loss at Kent State is nothing to be ashamed about. Look for the Bobcats to take out their frustrations on the poor Zips, the doormats of the MAC.

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Ball State at Central Michigan UNDER 63.5 (-108) – 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Cardinals head to Kelly/Shorts Stadium in Mount Pleasant to battle the Chippewas in a game only alumni and bettors love. Neither of these teams has played very good football to start the 2022 campaign, but there is still some hope on each side.

Ball State rallied last week for the aforementioned 44-38 OT win over Northern Illinois, covering for the 2nd time in 3 games and grabbing its first win against an FBS team this season. The Over stopped a 2-0 Under run.

Central was waxed 38-17 at Toledo in Week 5, as the Under just came in. The Under is on a 3-0 run for the Chips, it’s 6-2 in their last 8 games overall, and 4-1 in the past 6 against teams with a losing overall record. The Under is 7-3 in the past 10 MAC games for CMU, too.

The trends point to the Under for Ball State too, going 5-2 in its last 7 MAC games.

This is a nice parlay opportunity, too. Ball State has covered 7 straight trips to Mount Pleasant, and the road team is an amazing 17-4 ATS in the past 21 in this series. Ball State (+7.5, -112) and the Under is the way to go.

Toledo -5.5 (-110) at Northern Illinois – 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

The Rockets have rebounded nicely after getting routed 77-21 at Ohio State Sept. 17. It played a tight game at San Diego State, falling just 17-14 in a strong defensive effort, then it polished off Central Michigan 38-17 last weekend at Glass Bowl as a 6.5-point favorite in the MAC opener.

Despite having 77 hung on them by the Buckeyes, Toledo’s defensive numbers look pretty darn good. It has allowed just 339.2 total yards per game to rank 42nd, while allowing just 183.0 yards per game through the air, 23rd in the country.

NIU could go one of two ways in this one. It could be angry about last week’s disastrous 4th quarter and overtime at Ball State and fall apart against a good Toledo team, or it could channel that anger and use it as a positive against the Rockets. I’ll take NIU to fall apart.

The Huskies have to be absolutely dejected after another excruciating loss. It lost by 3 at Tulsa, it lost by 10 to Vanderbilt at home, it lost in a 1-score game at Kentucky 2 weeks ago, and then the Ball State debacle. This is a team that could be 3-2 but finds itself looking like a non-bowl team.

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Miami (Ohio) +5.5 (-112) vs. Kent State – 3:30 p.m. (ESPN+)

Let’s roll with the underdog in the final game on the card, as the trends point squarely in Miami’s favor.

Not only are the Golden Flashes of Kent State just 4-9 ATS in their past 13 road games, but the RedHawks have covered 6 of the past 8 meetings in this series, with Miami 4-1 ATS in the past 5 meetings in Oxford.

Miami has alternated losses and wins this season, including an outright win at Northwestern, technically a Power 5 team, as a 7.5-point underdog. It gave Buffalo a good fight last week before eventually falling 24-20.

Kent State isn’t as bad as its 2-3 SU record indicates, as it has 3 big-money road losses to Washington, Oklahoma and Georgia. This is a legit team that opened the MAC calendar with a 31-24 win over Ohio in OT last week. Kent State could grab the win here, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see a 3- or 4-point game — or even a Miami outright win.

Want some action on these or any other NCAA football games? Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, SportsbookWire’s official sportsbook partner in CO and NJ. Bet now!

If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News

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