Weekly Launch Game Edition

So much action happens during each Toledo home football game, and the IC Sports staff is here to make sure you don’t miss any of it. This is Weekly Launch: Game Edition, the post-game version of our weekly notebook.

Hit the Ground Running

Sophomore tailback Kareem Hunt returned to action in Saturday’s Homecoming game against UMass, but his status was not 100 percent, which is a scary thought for opposing teams.

Hunt’s right ankle injury was apparent and seemed to still be tender. After big contact early in the game, the running back could be seen getting up slowly. He was later examined on the sidelines on the training table, where it seemed his return might be questionable.

He would return to the game and break his longest run of the day, a 36-yard touchdown scamper, before racking up a new personal best in rushing yards per game.

“I just tried to ignore the pain and keep helping my team out to get the win,” Hunt said. “I knew it was important to score that touchdown and get the momentum for our defense.”

Freshman Terry Swanson has benefited the most from Hunt’s absence and has become a nice complementary back for the sophomore. Swanson rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns and has scored at least once in each of the past four games.

Lighting It Up

The weak point for the Rockets all season has been the secondary, and another poor performance was on show against the Minutemen.

With just 34 seconds left in the game, Toledo had the ball on UMass’ 19-yard line. the Minutemen’s defense allowed Swanson to trot into the end zone. UMass head coach Mark Whipple admitted after that he thought their best chance to win was to try the Rockets defense, a strategy that was understandable given the unit’s performance to date.

The Rockets rank dead last in passing defense efficiency in the MAC, allowing 329.3 yards in the air per game. They rank 11th out of 13 teams with only four interceptions coming into Saturday’s game.

In Saturday’s contest the Rockets defense could not get off the field, allowing 153 yards on third downs with the majority of that UMass production coming in the air.