The Toledo Rockets were chosen as the Cheez-It National Team of the Week by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Florida Citrus Bowl following its 41-17 victory at Mississippi State on Saturday.
The victory over the Bulldogs was Toledo’s first win against a “Power Four” opponent in nine years (30-23 vs. Iowa State in 2015) and just its second ever vs. an SEC opponent, a 16-12 triumph over No. 18 Arkansas in 2015.
This is the second time Toledo has earned the national team of the week award. Previously, the Rockets’ win over Arkansas in 2015 earned them the honor.
Toledo was dominant on both sides of the ball in the Mississippi State win. The Rockets held a 7-0 first-quarter lead and upped the margin to 28-3 by halftime. The Rockets led 35-3 late in the third quarter, then played ball control in the fourth quarter.
Junior quarterback Tucker Gleason was brilliant, putting together perhaps his best overall game as a collegian. He connected on 23-of-28 passes for 285 yards and three TDs. He completed passes to nine receivers, did not throw an interception and also kept MSU off balance by running for 40 yards.
Toledo’s defense was stellar for all 60 minutes. The Rockets held Mississippi State to 385 yards of total offense, much of it coming after Toledo put the game out of reach with a 35-3 second-half lead. Toledo, which racked up five sacks and forced two turnovers on the evening, set the tone early by holding MSU to just eight yards of offense in the first quarter.
Following the win, Toledo (3-0) picked up nine points in this week’s AP Top 25 and one vote in the coaches poll.
The Rockets travel to Western Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 21, their final non-conference game of the season.
