3 things we learned about Toledo football against Ball State
Sep. 27—MUNCIE, Ind. — With its back against the wall already, facing a stern road test, Toledo never flinched.
The Rockets trailed by a field goal early in the first quarter, scored on their first possession, and never looked back in a 22-12 victory at Ball State. The offense put up points when needed and the defense flexed its muscles for the fourth game in as many weeks.
First place in the Mid-American Conference West will be UT's alone for at least one week because this was the first conference game of the season. A trip to lowly Massachusetts is on tap, serving as an opportunity to continue building confidence for a team that's a few pieces away from clicking.
Here are three things we learned in Muncie:
1. Adversity got a punch in the gut
All week, the narrative inside the Larimer Athletic Complex was about 2019 and UT's season spiraling out of control. The setup in 2021 was similar — a loss to a heavy underdog followed by a trip to Ball State. How would Toledo respond?
Apparently, UT got sick of answering those questions. Saturday wasn't a perfect performance, but the showing proved that this veteran group has a circle-the-wagons trait. Effort was in overdrive and penalties were a non-factor. The Rockets looked like a laser-focused team that practiced with determination last week.
As Jason Candle said in his postgame press conference, now is not the time to feel good about themselves. They'll get back to work immediately preparing for UMass and the rest of the MAC schedule. For one day, though, it was understandable why the coaches and players left Scheumann Stadium with a sunny outlook on what lies ahead.
2. Toledo's defense can carry the team to Detroit
The Rockets last allowed a defensive touchdown at Notre Dame. They've gone eight straight quarters without an opposing offense crossing the goal line. The statistics back up everything that's taken place on the field — UT ranks 57th nationally in total defense (340.3 yards per game), 38th in pass defense (187.8 yards), 38th in scoring defense (19.0 points), and 81st in rush defense (152.5 yards).
Ball State quarterback Drew Plitt had trouble all day — first evading defenders and then getting the ball upfield. It was not a receivers' paradise against a UT team that had been torched the past two seasons when the Cardinals were across the line of scrimmage. And UT seemed to get stronger as the game grew in length.
A third of the way into the season, Toledo's defensive unit has shown enough that it can take the Rockets to a MAC West championship, so long as the offense is just average.
3. There's still a disconnect on offense
The rushing game and line play improved Saturday, especially when yards were valuable and hard to come by in the fourth quarter. Toledo was able to extend drives and play keep away.
The quarterback position remained unsettled, but it seems like Dequan Finn could seize the control. There was a better flow when he was in the game and it was Finn who got the most important snaps late in the game.
UT's missing ingredient is moving the ball consistently. The long scoring plays helped, but it still isn't an offense that can be depended on quite like the defense.
First Published September 26, 2021, 10:31am