Sports
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
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Breaking Down the Rockets
7
Football and the Toledo Rockets clash in a late-season, mid-week battle for the top spot in the MAC West division. The Huskies (7-2, 4-1 MAC) conclude their 2014 home schedule 7 p.m. today at Huskie Stadium when they take on the Rockets (6-3, 5-0 MAC). Football beat writer Danny Albers breaks down the Rockets.
Offense
Quarterback
Logan Woodside Quarterback
Sophomore quarterback Logan Woodside has had a strong performance in his first year as the fulltime starter. Woodside has thrown for 1,711 yards and 14 touchdowns and has been the general in a Toledo offense that has had no problem putting points on the board. He threw for 339 yards and two touchdowns against division rival Central Michigan Sept. 27. After suffering an injury in the game against Kent State Nov. 4, Woodside is a game-time decision for today’s game. The Rockets will likely lean on redshirt freshman Michael Julian, who finished out the last game against Kent State with a win, if Woodside isn’t able to play.
Running Back
Kareem Hunt Running back
Sophomore running back Kareem Hunt has been a consistent weapon in the Rockets’ arsenal, rushing for eight touchdowns and 866 yards on the year. Hunt ram for 866 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games last season. His dangerous ability to run the ball came into effect earlier in the year when the Rockets hosted SEC opponent Missouri. Hunt ran for 148 yards and three touchdowns in a losing effort. Hunt has scored a touchdown in every game but one this year. In a winning effort against Ball State, Hunt averaged 11.8 yards per carry, and he’s averaging 8.41 rushing yards per attempt this season.
Wide Receiver
Alonzo Russell Wide receiver
Junior wide receiver Alonzo Russell is one half of a dynamic passing game. Russell leads all Toledo wide receivers in touchdown receptions with seven. He is second on the team in reception yards with 556, second only to teammate Corey Jones, who has 642 receiving yards. Throughout the season Russell has been the go-to guy for Woodside. Russell has been a big-play wideout for the Rockets and has averaged 13.9 yards per catch. Russell is second in receiving yards per game with 61.8. The Huskies will have to tighten up on their pass coverage in the secondary or Russell could have a huge game.
Greg Mancz Center
Nobody has started more games on the Toledo Rockets than senior center Greg Mancz, who started in 47 games in his collegiate career. He has played against the Huskies in three meetings but has not been on the winning end. A leader of the Rockets’ offense in his own right, he would like nothing more than to exact sweet revenge in his last game against the Huskies — if he plays. Last week, Mancz was injured and declared a game-time decision for this week. If Mancz doesn’t play it would be a huge loss for the Rockets.
Offensive Line
Defense
Defensive Line
Junior defensive end Trent Voss has been effective in the 2014 season and seems to have made an impact in several ways. Voss is fourth on the Rockets in total tackles with 53. But, Voss easily leads the team in tackles for loss with 10. He has also put together four sacks on the season for a loss of 30 yards, ranking second on the team. Voss has also made an impact on the pass defense as he is the only defensive lineman on the team who has picked off an interception. On special teams, he has stood out, blocking a kick on the year. The Huskies will have to focus on blocking Voss if they want to have an effective running game.
Trent Voss Defensive end
Linebacker
Senior linebacker Junior Sylvestre has been a big part of the Rockets’ defense for a long time. He is in many ways the leader of the defense and has the numbers to back it up: Sylvestre leads the team in total tackles with 70, and he has 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. His ability to cause problems in the opposing team’s passing game has been his strength all season. Sylvestre’s quickness has given him the ability to break up five passes on the season. Sylvestre had his best game this season against Western Michigan when he had 14 total tackles and the Rockets pulled out a one-point victory.
Junior Sylvestre Linebacker
Secondary
Senior safety Jordan Haden has been strong in the secondary for the Rockets all season. Haden leads the team in interceptions with three. Haden also had a timely interception against Central Michigan. His interception helped the Rockets beat their division rival by 14 points, 42-28, and maintain first place in the MAC. Haden’s ability to roam the field and get to the ball has been impressive. Haden had eight total tackles in an overtime win against division rival Western Michigan. Haden’s biggest attribute is his ability to play coverage on top-caliber opponents.
Jordan Haden Safety
Special Teams
Senior kicker Jeremiah Detmer has shown his range on the 2014 season. Detmer is 15-18 on field goal attempts and has nailed three out of five field goal attempts outside the 40-yard line. Detmer averages 1.67 field goals per game, which is second in the MAC and 13th in the nation. Detmer has connected on 83.3 percent of his field goal attempts, which is also second in the MAC and 26th in the nation. He’s knocked in 35 of 36 extra point attempts. But, what makes Detmer so effective in the Rockets’ special teams is he seems to feel comfortable on the big stage.
Jeremiah Detmer Kicker
For live updates from Huskie Stadium when NIU hosts the Toledo Rockets 7 p.m. today, follow the Northern Star’s football beat writers on Twitter: Frank Gogola: @FrankGogola Danny Albers: @nssniualbers