For the first time this year, Toledo was held without an offensive touchdown. But that didn’t matter when the Rockets met No. 21 Cincinnati in the Glass Bowl Saturday night.

Thanks in large part to a 75-yard pick six from senior strong safety Jermaine Robinson, three field goals of 40-plus yards from sophomore kicker Jeremiah Detmer and a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from junior wide receiver Bernard Reedy, the Rockets were able to pull off a 29-23 upset over undefeated Cincinnati on Oct. 20.

“I think it says everything about our football team right now,” UT head coach Matt Campbell said. “Boy, I thought offensively we played really well from, like, the 20 to the 20, and we got down to the red zone, and fortunately — or unfortunately — we had to kick field goals.

Jermaine Robinson. Photo by Vincent D. Scebbi / Courtesy The Independent Collegian

“I thought J.D. Detmer had a great night.”

Detmer made three field goals of 40-plus yards in the first half alone and a career-best five on the night, tying for the second-most field goals in a game in Toledo history. He has now made 11 consecutive field goals this season.

“I’ve always had great confidence in J.D. Detmer,” Campbell said.

Entering the contest as the Mid-American Conference leader in interceptions (10) and second in the league in field goals made (13), Toledo (7-1, 5-0 MAC) needed both to take a 16-13 halftime lead against the Bearcats, who came into the Glass Bowl sporting the Big East’s No. 1 scoring offense (37 ppg) and No. 2 scoring defense (14.4 ppg).

Cincinnati held UT to 87 yards of total offense in the first quarter and 173 for the half, but Detmer field goals of 43, 42 and 47 yards and Robinson’s first quarter 75-yard pick six off Bearcats quarterback Munchie Legaux helped Toledo overcome its offensive struggles to lead 16-13 at halftime.

“It’s just our seniors — our seniors and our player ownership,” Robinson said. “I mean, we’re actually a family out there. [When] adversity hits, we don’t put our head down. We keep it up.”

On first-and-10 at the Rockets’ 40-yard line in the first quarter, Legaux was pressured by the UT defensive line and got hit as he threw, allowing Robinson to intercept his pass on the right side of the field and return it 75 yards the other way for the score to make it 10-0 Toledo at the 7:50 mark.

The interception was not only the fourth this year for Robinson, who entered the game tied for the MAC lead in interceptions this season, but also his fourth pick six at Toledo, tying him for the all-time lead with Keon Jackson (2002-05) at UT in that category.

“We always pride ourselves on takeaways,” Robinson said of the Rockets’ two interceptions against the Bearcats. “Coach [Matukewicz] preaches stopping them on third down. I mean, even though we get off the field, it still keeps the offense in the game, but takeaways for touchdowns in the interception wins games.”

Perhaps the most special play of the contest came on the legs of one of Toledo’s most special player so far this season in Reedy.

Bernard Reedy. Photo by Vincent D. Scebbi / Courtesy The Independent Collegian

The Bearcats (5-1, 1-0 Big East) took their first lead of the game on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Legaux to Damon Julian between two UT defenders in the end zone, making the score 20-19 with 2:08 on the clock in the third quarter. Reedy then countered with a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff to give the lead back to the Rockets — one they never relinquished.

That kickoff return for a touchdown marked the third straight game that Reedy scored on a special teams play.

“I’ve got to give credit to the guys up front, the 10 [guys] that’s blocking for me,” said Reedy, who had a game-high 229 total yards. “If you’ve got 10 guys that you know that’s going to bring it every day in practice — you know, practice like it’s a game — and [then] you know you just read blocks and then just run. That’s how I see it.”

Sophomore cornerback Jordan Haden got his second interception of the year with a game-ending pick on Cincinnati’s final drive to preserve Toledo’s 29-23 victory.

With the win over the Bearcats, the Rockets improved to 7-11 all-time against Top 25 teams, including a 5-1 mark in the Glass Bowl.

UT faces Buffalo (1-6, 0-3 MAC) on Oct. 27 in Buffalo at 3:30 p.m.

Tags: Bernard Reedy, J.D. Detmer, Matt Campbell, Mike Bauman, University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo, UT football

This entry was posted on Sunday, October 21st, 2012 at 9:47 am and is filed under College Football, Sports.
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Bernard Reedy hears it every day on his way to class. He hears it all the time around Toledo. He has even heard it a few times while pumping gas.

As the University of Toledo junior wide receiver admits, there is simply no escaping the comparison between himself and former teammate Eric Page.

“We both do similar things, so I just kind of laugh and smile when I hear it,” Reedy said with a grin. “It makes me feel good though because Eric is a great player.”

From their reserved, soft-spoken demeanor, their shifty return moves and crisp route running, down to their stature — both are 5-foot-9 — the similarities are striking.

Bernard Reedy. Photo by Vincent D. Scebbi, courtesy The Independent Collegian.

In fact, Toledo head coach Matt Campbell, the pair’s offensive coordinator from 2009-11, struggled to find any dissimilarities between the two.

“Maybe the only difference is a little bit of speed,” Campbell said. “Bernard has that extra gear he can kick into.”

Though Reedy saw action his freshman year (five catches for 32 yards and eight rushes for 35 yards and two touchdowns) he emerged as the complementary receiver to Page in 2011.

The St. Petersburg, Fla., native finished second on the team behind UT’s all-time leading receiver with 40 catches, 758 yards and nine touchdowns, providing the one-two punch the Rockets lacked at receiver since Stephen Williams, now playing for the Arizona Cardinals, graduated in 2009.

Reedy capped off his sophomore year with the best performance of his collegiate career, hauling in four passes for 126 yards and three touchdowns to garner MVP honors in Toledo’s 42-41 Military Bowl victory over Air Force.

For a brief time after the bowl season, it appeared Reedy and Page would be the primary weapons for the prohibitive favorite to win the Mid-American Conference in 2012.

In January, however, Page chose to forgo his senior year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft and Reedy was thrust into the No. 1 wideout spot on the depth chart.

Reedy said he is confident in his ability to fill the role and that has translated on the field by way of a team-high 19 receptions, 206 yards and a pair of touchdowns through three games this season.

He credits his preparedness, in part, to Page for showing him the way.

“He’s a hard worker. He does everything quietly, but he does everything right,” Reedy said. “Doing the small things right lets you do the big things right. That’s why he made so many big plays and had so much success here.”

Reedy, unsurprisingly, has adopted Page’s lead-by-example approach as well.

“I’ve never really been the vocal type,” Reedy said. “I just try to go out and do the right thing so the younger guys can follow me.”

So far, so good.

University of Toledo wide receiver Bernard Reedy, shown here in 2011, is often compared to former teammate Eric Page. Photo by Vincent D. Scebbi, Courtesy The Independent Collegian

Tags: Bernard Reedy, Eric Page, Matt Campbell, University of Toledo

This entry was posted on Friday, September 21st, 2012 at 12:30 pm and is filed under College Football, Sports.
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The UT football team began preparations for another season with lofty expectations as it opened up the 2012 training camp on Aug. 3.

“We split our team into two and it’s great to be back out here with these guys,” Toledo head coach Matt Campbell said. “It’s kind of fun to see the strides that a lot of these guys have made from the end of spring to the start of fall camp. I know our kids are really excited and from an attitude standpoint it was outstanding. Now we get a chance to really grow as a football team.”

The Rockets held two half-squad practices to begin the camp. The first started at 8:30 a.m. before the rest of the team took the field at 4. The players will continue with this practice format through the weekend until they begin full-squad practices on Aug. 6.

Campbell, who will be entering his first full season at the helm of the UT program, separated the two teams to make them “as even as possible” to attempt to make the players “feel like starters.”

In 2012, Toledo has been projected as the preseason favorite to win the Mid-American Conference West Division by a vote of the 17 members of the league’s media contingent. They still have some major holes to fill, especially on offense, but Campbell thinks those replacements may already exist on their young roster.

The Rockets lost playmakers Eric Page and Adonis Thomas from last year’s squad but appear to have experienced replacements in David Fluellen at running back and Bernard Reedy at wide receiver. The offensive line, however, lost three members from last season’s unit, which finished sixth in the nation, allowing only 10 sacks on the year.

The team still returns talent up front, however, in Rimington candidate Zac Kerin in the middle alongside second-year guard Greg Mancz, who was named to the Freshman All-American Team for Yahoo! Sports in 2011.

“It’s a situation right now where we have some youth in some key spots and some guys that will be challenging for some spots on offense,” Campbell said. “Of course, our offensive line, we have to replace a couple veteran football players, and I’m really proud of what those guys looked like.”

Toledo’s already suspect secondary, which ranked 105th in the country in pass defense last year, giving up over 268 yards per game, took a big blow as well at the cornerback position losing its two most solid starters in Desmond Marrow and Taikwon Paige. Among the candidates to replace them this season are senior Byron Best, sophomores Keith Suggs, Kishon Wilcher and Jordan Haden and redshirt freshman Chris Dukes.

“We lost two guys who played a lot at corner,” Campbell said. “We have a lot of talent there and we have got three or four guys that will come into the football game and play consistently for us.”

Toledo returns 12 starters from last season’s unit, which went 9-4 with a 7-1 record in conference play. Among those returning are three All-MAC performers including Reedy and quarterback duo of senior Austin Dantin and junior Terrance Owens.

Tags: Austin Dantin, Bernard Reedy, Byron Best, Chris Dukes, David Fluellen, Greg Mancz, Jordan Haden, Keith Suggs, Kishon Wilcher, Matt Campbell, Mid-American Conference, Rocket football, Terrance Owens, Zac Kerin, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Saturday, August 4th, 2012 at 11:03 am and is filed under College Football, College sports, Rocket Football, Sports.
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The University of Toledo football program lost its head coach and 13 starters, but they didn’t lose the respect of the rest of the league.

The Mid-American Conference chose the Rockets as the second-best team in the league‚s preseason rankings on July 24 at MAC Media Day, as chosen by voting from the 17 members of the league’s media contingent. UT was also picked as the favorites in the MAC West Division.

“It says a lot about our program, but it’s just a preseason poll,” UT head coach Matt Campbell said. “Obviously, we hope to be there at the end of November.

Toledo (87 points) edged out Northern Illinois (83) and Western Michigan (79) for the preseason top spot in the MAC West. Ball State (42), Eastern Michigan (34) and Central Michigan (32) rounded out the rest of the division.

In the East, Ohio (119 points) was the preseason pick to repeat as MAC Champions. They easily recorded more votes than Bowling Green (91), Miami (84) and Kent State (76). At the bottom of the division is Buffalo (52), Akron (31) and finally UMass (23), which is in its first MAC season.

UT head coach Matt Campbell

The Bobcats also received five votes for the team picked to win the MAC Championship Game. Toledo finished second in the conference with three while Northern Illinois, Western Michigan and Central Michigan each received one vote.

Campbell will still have work to do in his first year as head coach if he wants to meet those lofty expectations. The nation’s youngest coach at 32 years old, Campbell will look to build on his young career which began with a 42-41 victory over Air Force in the Military Bowl last season.

“Coach Campbell has been the head coach for us on the offensive side of the ball for the last three years,” senior quarterback Austin Dantin said. “So with him being the official head coach for us it’s really no different and we are happy to have him here.”

The Rockets return 12 players from last year’s squad including four on offense, five on defense and three special teams players. The offense is particularly a concern losing star wide receiver Eric Page and running back Adonis Thomas along with three offensive linemen.

“We are feeling pretty good going into the season and are working hard in the summer,” junior Terrance Owens said.”We are working really hard buying into the program, just doing everything we can do to achieve our goal and that’s to win the MAC Championship.”

Toledo still will have some weapons remaining, however, returning three All-MAC performers including their quarterback duo as well as the 2011 Military Bowl MVP in wide receiver Bernard Reedy.

The Rockets were the preseason pick to win the MAC Championship last year and finished 9-4 with a 7-1 record in conference. That was good enough for second in the West after losing a head-to-head tiebreaker to Northern Illinois (11-3, 7-1).

Tags: Austin Dantin, Ball State, Bernard Reedy, Bowling Green State University, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, MAC, Matt Campbell, Northern Illinois, Rockets Football, Terrance Owens, University of Toledo, Western Michigan

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 at 8:24 am and is filed under College Football, Rocket Football, Sports.
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In Toledo’s annual Blue and Gold spring game, the Rockets began their search to replace Eric Page, the top wide receiver in school history.

As far as April 13 goes, they have two pretty strong candidates.

Wide receivers Dwight Macon and Bernard Reedy stole the show as Macon’s Blue Team edged out Reedy’s Gold Team 21-13 in the Glass Bowl.

UT sophomore wide receiver Dwight Macon, taken by Nick Kneer

“What you have seen is 14-15 practices of guys coming together and tonight playing very well,” Toledo first-year head coach Matt Campbell said. “Dwight Macon has had a great camp and he could have been the player of the day every day throughout the spring. Bernard Reedy just keeps getting better and better. I’m really excited about what that young group has. Anytime you lose a guy like Eric Page, young guys get an opportunity to show themselves and that’s what we are about at the University of Toledo.”

Macon, the team’s third-string quarterback last season, converted to wide receiver in the offseason and has been so impressive that he was selected as the top pick by the senior class while dividing teams for the Blue and Gold game. The sophomore caught seven passes for 114 yards and one score for the Blue Team, a 70-yard touchdown reception after a short pass on the first play of the game.

“I told Dwight you might as well just go score, no point in just messing around. Just go score and that’s what he did,” senior quarterback Austin Dantin said. “Dwight is an unbelievable athlete and if we can get him in space and he keeps doing what he is doing he is going to be doing a great job this year.”

Campbell maintained that despite Macon’s success at receiver, he will continue to receive reps in practice as the team’s third-string quarterback. Macon had limited time at quarterback in the scrimmage, passing for 31 yards on 4 of 5 attempts.

Reedy, who was the second-overall pick for the spring game, was the team’s second-leading receiver, totaling 758 yards and nine touchdowns last season and earned Most Valuable Player honors in UT’s Military Bowl victory over Air Force. The junior caught seven passes for 150 yards for the Gold Team with a touchdown.

In the seemingly never-ending quarterback battle that has now entered its third season, senior Austin Dantin outplayed junior Terrance Owens in the scrimmage. Dantin, representing the Blue Team, completed 14 of 18 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns while Owens completed 15 of 26 throws for 277 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

“The success of these offensive players and these skill guys is because of what we have in Austin Dantin and Terrance Owens,” Campbell said. “They allow these guys to get so much better so fast. Those guys will continue to compete at a high level and make everyone around them compete at a high level as well.”

On the ground, junior running back David Fluellen rushed for 75 yards on 14 carries with one score for the Blue Team as he begins the season as the top candidate to replace Adonis Thomas. Junior Robert Carmona and sophomore Ricky Pringle led the Gold Team with 44 and 43 yards, respectively.

Following Macon’s 70-yard score on the first play of the game, the Gold Team responded with field goals of 37 and 29 yards from sophomore Jeremiah Detmer to cut the lead to 7-6 at the half.

Fluellen extended the Blue Team’s lead before Dantin hit sophomore Cassius McDowell for a 31-yard score to push their advantage to 21-6.

The Gold Team came back with a touchdown by Reedy, who broke multiple tackles to go 70 yards and narrow the lead to 21-13.

The most important play of the game came soon after as the Gold Team faced a 4th down at the goal line. Attempting to run the ball for the score, Pringle was stopped just short as the Blue Team took over possession on downs.

“We always try to eliminate the big plays, big plays are what kills you,” said senior linebacker Robert Bell, who recorded four tackles, one sack and an interception for the Blue Team. “We made them kick field goals in the red zone and that’s what you have to try to do. They hit the big plays and that’s how they got 13 points, but as long as you keep your [composure] we can always close out the game.”

The Gold Team had one more late attempt at scoring as Owens threw a “hail Mary” from 38 yards away, but junior receiver James Green caught the pass eight yards short of the end zone as time expired and the Blue Team prevailed 21-13.

The Rockets will open the season on the road at Arizona on Sept. 1 before heading to play Wyoming the next week. They will open the 2012 season in the Glass Bowl on Sept. 15 against arch-rival Bowling Green.

Tags: Adonis Thomas, Austin Dantin, Bernard Reedy, Blue and Gold Spring Game, Cassius McDowell, David Fluellen, Dwight Macon, James Green, Jeremiah Detmer, Matt Campbell, Ricky Pringle, Robert Bell, Robert Carmona, Rockets Football, Terrance Owens, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 14th, 2012 at 12:36 pm and is filed under College Football, Rocket Football, Sports.
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The Toledo football team will take the first step into the 2012 season when it competes in the annual Blue and Gold Spring Game on April 13 at 7 p.m. in the Glass Bowl.

The senior class drafted the two rosters with the first pick being a surprise one as sophomore Dwight Macon was sent to the blue squad. Macon, the team’s third-string quarterback last season, has played wide receiver this spring. Other notable players on the blue team include quarterback Austin Dantin, running back David Fluellen, offensive lineman Greg Mancz, linebacker Robert Bell and safety Jermaine Robinson.

UT sophomore wide receiver Dwight Macon, taken by Nick Kneer

The Gold squad is led by last season’s Blue and Gold MVP in wide receiver Bernard Reedy, who had eight catches for 143 yards and a touchdown. Joining Reedy on the Gold team includes quarterback Terrance Owens, linebacker Dan Molls, center Zac Kerin and defensive end Christian Smith.

The game will feature six honorary coaches who were former Rockets: Dallas safety Barry Church (2006-09), Cincinnati wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (2005-07), New York Giants tight end Christian Hopkins (2004-07), former New England offensive lineman Nick Kaczur (2001-04), Michael Schaefer (1997-2000) and former Cleveland quarterback Gene Swick (1972-75).

Following the game, UT players and coaches will be signing autographs in the West Concourse and fans can meet the school’s mascots, Rocky and Rocksy. Admission to the game is free.

Tags: Andrew Hawkins, Austin Dantin, Barry Church, Bernard Reedy, Blue and Gold Spring Game, Christian Hopkins, Christian Smith, Dan Molls, David Fluellen, Dwight Macon, Gene Swick, Greg Mancz, Jermaine Robinson, Michael Schaefer, Nick Kaczur, Robert Bell, Rockets Football, Terrance Owens, Zac Kerin, Zach Davis

This entry was posted on Saturday, April 14th, 2012 at 12:19 pm and is filed under College sports, Rocket Football, Sports.
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