Toledo coach, players recognized for big win

September 15, 2015 | Athletics, News
By Paul Helgren



Toledo assistant coach Tyson Veidt was named Linebackers Coach of the Week by CoachingSearch.com for the play of the Rocket defense in the 16-12 upset of No. 18 Arkansas Sept.12

The Rockets held the powerful running offense of Arkansas to 3.3 yards per rush on 31 attempts.

Veidt

Veidt

Toledo’s defense forced Arkansas to get out of rhythm and pass the ball 53 times. Toledo didn’t allow a single touchdown in five Arkansas trips to the red zone.

In addition, junior safety DeJuan Rogers was named the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in that game.

Rogers had a career-high 11 tackles, recorded one interception that stopped a Razorback touchdown, and broke up another throw in Toledo’s victory.

It was Toledo’s first win over a Southeastern Conference team in four tries and the first time the Rockets defeated a Top 25 non-conference opponent on the road.

Rogers

Rogers

Rogers is the first Toledo player to earn Walter Camp National Player of the Week honors, and the first honoree from the Mid-American Conference since Oct. 20, 2013.

Two Rockets also received Mid-American Conference recognition.

Senior cornerback Cheatham Norrils was named the MAC West Division Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Toledo’s win over Arkansas. 



Norrils

Norrils

Norrils had eight tackles and a career-high three pass breakups in the victory. Two of those breakups came in the Razorbacks’ final drive, which Toledo’s defense halted to secure the victory.



The award is a victory for Norrils, who played in his first official game after missing the entire 2014 season due to a serious illness that hospitalized him for weeks.

Senior quarterback Phillip Ely was named the MAC West Division Offensive Player of the Week for his role in the big win.

Ely

Ely

Ely threw for 237 yards and one touchdown with neither an interception nor a sack vs. the Razorbacks. He also converted seven third-down passes, four of which were more than 10 yards.

He suffered a season-ending knee injury vs. Missouri in last season’s second game. He also tore the labrum in his left shoulder in that game. Ely had surgery for both injuries and endured a long and arduous fight back onto the playing field.

Click to access the login or register cheese