MAC Football: Toledo Reach 11 Wins For Second Time Under Jason Candle

The Toledo Rockets once again left no doubt as they finished the regular season 11-1 and unbeaten in MAC play. Toledo beat Central Michigan in Mount Pleasant Friday 32-17. 

The 11-win total is their highest since 2017 when they finished the season 11-3 under current head coach Jason Candle. That was the first time the Rockets reached 11 wins under Candle.

Here's what stands out from the Black Friday battle.

Rocket Powered Run Game

Toledo's rushing attack totaled 261 yards on the day with 43 carries from a three-headed dragon. Peny Boone had a game-high 186 yards on 21 rushes with two touchdowns. Jacquez Stuart had 59 yards and a touchdown with ten carries. Quarterback Dequann Finn also chipped in nine carries for 24 yards. 

This marked their fourth time this season rushing for at least 260 yards in a game.

No Postseason For Central Michigan

In four full seasons under Jim McElwain, Central Michigan has now missed bowl eligibility twice. The loss puts the Chippewas at 5-7 to finish the regular season. It will be the second straight year that the Chippewas finish with fewer than 23 points per game. CMU will finish the 2023 season just barely inside the top 100 in FBS scoring offense.

Hope For a New Years Six Bid?

Technically, the Rockets are still alive in the race for the G5's New Years Six bid. However, they need quite a bit of help. In all likelihood, given their current unranked status in the College Football Playoff Top 25, they would need to blow out out Miami (OH) in the MAC title game and, plus need ranked Tulane and Liberty to have exceptionally bad days the next two weeks. However, in college football, you don't have to look too far to find last minute chaos.