Toledo to host No. 21 Miami at Glass Bowl Sept. 15

September 12, 2018 | Athletics, Events, News, Alumni

By Paul Helgren

In one of the most anticipated home games in Toledo football history, the Rockets will host No. 21 Miami (Fla.) in the Glass Bowl Saturday, Sept. 15.

A capacity crowd is expected for the contest, which will air on ESPN2 at noon. Gates will open at 10:30 a.m.

The Rockets will host No. 21 Miami Saturday, Sept. 15, at noon, marking the first appearance of a Top 25 opponent in the Glass Bowl since a 2014 meeting vs. No. 22 Missouri.

Toledo (1-0) opened its season with a 66-3 romp over Virginia Military Institute Sept. 1, followed by a bye week. Miami (1-1) lost to LSU, 31-17, in its opener before crushing Savannah State, 77-0, Sept. 8.

In the VMI win, junior Mitchell Guadagni completed 11 of 16 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns in his debut at quarterback. Sophomore Shakif Seymour and redshirt freshman Bryant Koback rushed for two touchdowns apiece, while senior Cody Thompson caught one TD and recovered a blocked punt for another. The Rockets outgained VMI, 603-232, and led at halftime, 42-3. Toledo’s defense came up with several big plays, forcing three turnovers and limiting the Keydets to 61 yards rushing on 31 attempts.

Toledo’s 63-point margin of victory over VMI was its largest since 1951, when UT defeated Davis & Elkins 88-0. It is also the third-largest margin of victory in program history. UT’s 66 points marked the sixth time under Head Coach Jason Candle that the Rockets have scored at least 50 points, and the second time they have scored at least 60.

Miami, which is ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the coaches list, is led by senior quarterback Malik Rosier, who threw for 131 yards and two TDs in the win over Savannah State. He completed 27 of 36 passes for 333 yards to rally the Hurricanes from a 16-10 deficit to defeat the Rockets in Miami last year, 52-30. Mark Walton paced the running attack in that game with 204 yards on just 11 carries.

This will be the ninth time Toledo has hosted a Top 25 team and the first time since 2014 when No. 22 Missouri knocked off the Rockets, 49-24.

A limited number of tickets are still available: Click here or call 419.530.GOLD (4653). UT students are admitted free with ID, and UT employees can purchase two tickets at half off.

Fans are reminded to get to the game early and to use entrances off Douglas Road, Dorr Street and Secor Road to avoid the construction on Bancroft Street. Stadium Drive Live will start at 9 a.m.