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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule Coach: Tom Amstutz (6th season, 45-18) 2005 record: 9-3 (Beat UTEP in GMAC Bowl) MAC finish: 6-2 (t-1st West) 2005 I-A offensive rankings: Rushing: 13th (216.8 ypg) Passing: 47th (230.3 ypg) 2005 I-A defensive rankings: Rushing: 27th (125.6 ypg) Passing: 25th (191.3 ypg) Date Opponent Aug. 31 at Iowa State Sept. 9 at Western Michigan Sept. 15 Kansas Sept. 23 McNeese State Sept. 30 at Pittsburgh Oct. 7 Central Michigan Oct. 14 at Kent State Oct. 21 at Eastern Michigan Oct. 28 Akron Nov. 7 at Northern Illinois Nov. 14 Ball State Nov. 21 Bowling Green Depth Chart: Offense 7 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. WR 4 David Washington Jr. 88 Stephen Williams So. WR 80 Steve Odom Sr. 84 Andre Redd So. WR 82 Nick Moore So. 2 Andrew Hawkins Jr. LT 79 John Greco Jr. 60 Sean Zabinski So. LG 64 David Perkins Jr. 74 Chad Diggs Sr. C 70 Hassan Adebesin Sr. 72 Patrick Dawson So. RG 69 Jesse Anderson Sr. 78 Kevin Kilgo Fr. RT 63 Jerry Aguwa Sr. 73 Greg Luna Sr. TE 83 John Allen So. 91 Chris Hopkins Sr. QB 11 Clint Cochran So. 6 Brandon Summers Fr. RB 33 Jalen Parmele Jr. 22 DaJuane Collins Fr. Depth Chart: Defense 7 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. DE 92 Sean Williamson Jr. 35 Seth Thitoff Sr. DT 96 J.P. Bekasiak Sr. 51 Aaron Albritton Sr. DE 87 Patrick Clark Jr. 57 Bernard Faithful Jr. OLB 44 Mike Alston Sr. 39 Shaun Fitzgibbons Jr. ILB 54 Keith Forestal So. 45 Marques McFarlin Sr. ILB 47 Steven Morrison Jr. 46 Eric Heller Fr. OLB 15 Mike Chamberlain Sr. 32 Greg Hay Jr. CB 21 Nigel Morris Jr. 5 Bo Martin Sr. CB 36 Keiron Brown So. 37 Walter Atkins Fr. SS 34 Lester Richmond Fr. 20 Chris Faison Fr. FS 28 Tyrrell Herbert Jr. 27 Jeff Green So. Special Teams Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 14 Mike Krispinsky Jr. P 41 Brett Kern Jr. KR 80 Steve Odom Sr. PR 80 Steve Odom Sr.

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Toledo hands the keys to its high-powered spread offense to an untested quarterback for the third time in the six years Tom Amstutz has been head coach. Don't fear, Rocket fans: Toledo has remained in the conference championship battle each time.

"We know it's a process you have to go through," Amstutz says. "Patience is required of us to give a guy a chance to develop and become a good quarterback."

The schedule will provide a veritable baptism by fire for sophomore Clint Cochran. Three of the Rockets' first five games are against BCS conference opponents - at Iowa State, vs. Kansas and at Pitt.

OFFENSE

The spread offense Toledo runs puts an absolute premium on strong play from the quarterback. And although Cochran is the most experienced signal-caller on the roster, his work amounts to an emergency start last year against Fresno State and some mop-up duty. "We expect our returning players to make the quarterback's job easier," Amstutz says, "and to give the quarterback time to catch up to the rest of our offense."

Amstutz will keep fresh legs in the backfield by utilizing a rotation of junior Jalen Parmele, sophomore Richard Davis and freshman DaJuane Collins. If the robust Scooter McDougle is healthy, he adds punch and pass-catching ability. The wild card in the picture is Ray Williams, a former Mr. Football in Ohio. Williams was headed to West Virginia when he was involved in a robbery in which a friend was killed. As part of his probation, Williams enrolled at Toledo, and Amstutz has welcomed him with open arms and an edited playbook.

The Rockets have senior Steve Odom leading the receiving corps, which needs to be a half-dozen deep to make the spread flow. Toledo features the best trio of tight ends in the conference, with Chris Hopkins, Josh Powell and John Allen, and will get creative to utilize that talent.

The strength of the offense lies up front, and All-MAC left tackle John Greco is the headliner of the group. David Perkins joins him on the left side at guard, making this the third season he and Greco have been side-by-side. Center Hassan Adebesin and right tackle Jerry Aguwa are also returning starters. "Well, it's always good to have the core of your offensive line returning, since experience counts at that position," Amstutz says.

DEFENSE

The Rockets became one of the league's best defenses last year under coordinator Tim Rose, and they return enough strength in the trenches to keep things going. Returning starters J.P. Bekasiak, Sean Williamson and Patrick Clark will be counted on to stuff the run.

The biggest graduation hit came at linebacker, where only All-MAC pick Mike Alston and Mike Chamberlain return. Greg Hay has enough experience to help out.

Safety Tyrrell Herbert got thrown to the wolves as a young player and now has the experience to match his considerable talent. Nigel Morris and Keiron Brown at the corners are sound, though Brown may also see action at safety.

SPECIALISTS

Freshman Alex Steigerwald comes highly touted and could press junior Mike Krispinsky for the kicking role. Brett Kern starts his third season as the Rockets' punter, and in Odom, Toledo has a sure-handed and electric return man.

FINAL ANALYSIS

The book says developing a new quarterback means there will be an adjustment period with tempered expectations. Amstutz skipped that chapter - he has broken in a new quarterback in two of his previous five seasons as a head coach and kept his team in the title hunt each time.

There is enough talent around Cochran to keep the offense humming, and the defense should once again be one of the best in the MAC. The non-conference schedule is a beast - with Iowa State, Kansas and Pittsburgh on the slate - but Toledo should remain in the hunt for the MAC West title all season long.