The No. 23-ranked Toledo football team has turned in one of the best seasons in program history in 2023, and it was rewarded Wednesday for its success with a bevy of awards from the Mid-American Conference.
Junior quarterback Dequan Finn received the league’s Vern Smith Leadership Award, which is annually presented to the MAC’s most valuable player. Junior running back Peny Boone was named Offensive Player of the Year and Head Coach Jason Candle was named the MAC’s Coach of the Year. Finn and Boone were also two of 14 Rockets to land on an All-MAC squad, and two of UT’s 10 first-team all-conference honorees.
This year’s Toledo squad is now one of the most decorated in recent history. It’s the first time that the Rockets have claimed the Vern Smith Leadership Award, Offensive Player of the Year award, and Coach of the Year in the same year since 2017 when Logan Woodside took home the two player honors and Candle won his first Coach of the Year award. The 10 first-team All-MAC players are the second-most in school history and most since placing 11 on the first team in 1970, and the most by any MAC school since Marshall had 13 first-team players in 1999.
Toledo’s postseason awards success is paralleled by its success on the field this season. Its 11-1 record is the best mark through 12 games of the Jason Candle era, and the best since going 11-0-1 in 1995. The Rockets have won 11 consecutive games for the first time since 1971 and are one victory away from tying the record of 12 wins set in 1970 and 1971. Toledo went 8-0 in MAC play this year for the first time in school history.
For a complete list of honorees, read the Toledo Athletics story.
