TUCSON, Arizona — The University of Toledo football team has settled into Tucson, Arizona in preparation for the Barstool Sports Arizona Bowl. The Rockets arrived on Tuesday, Dec. 26, before completing their first practice on Wednesday at nearby Salpointe Catholic High School.
Following an initial taste of football in Arizona, the team then traveled to Main Event where they were able to let loose and have fun.
“A night like this, it means a lot. Hanging out with the guys, some of whom are seniors and will be their last game," sophomore wide receiver Junior Vandeross III said. “It just gives us one more great time together.”
The Rockets participated in activities like arcade games, bowling and even laser tag.
“It takes all the stress off for a night,” Northview alumni and long snapper Trey Szykowny said. “It’s a big build up, especially having a week off and then that stress comes back. This just helps relieve all of it.”
The Rockets return to practice on Thursday, their second of three sessions scheduled before embarking on another team activity at Old Tucson Studios.
For fans and alumni traveling into Arizona, a Pep Rally will be held on Friday, Dec. 29, at 5 p.m. CT in downtown Tucson. Then on Saturday, a pregame event will take place at the University of Arizona Mall beginning at 10 a.m. local time.
The bowl game will kickoff at 2:30 pm CT (4:30 p.m. ET) and will be televised on the CW Network.
The Rockets opened as favorites against Wyoming but are now slight underdogs due to a few significant UToledo transfers.
The most notable is quarterback Dequan Finn, the reigning MAC MVP. He transferred to Baylor following a 23-14 loss to Miami in conference championship game earlier this month. Finn is Toledo’s all-time leading rusher among QBs (1,807 yards) and ranked 1st in the MAC in multiple passing categories this season.
1st team All-MAC offensive lineman Vinny Sciury has also found a new team in Texas Tech.
Shortly before the Rockets left for Tucson, running back Peny Boone announced his intention to enter the transfer portal as well. He ranked among the nation’s top rushers and tallied eight 100-yard rushing games in 2023.
Sophomore Tucker Gleason, who started three games last year, is expected to be the signal caller for the Rockets this weekend.
The Rockets still posses plenty of talent heading into the game. Jason Candle (MAC Coach of the Year) will lean on All-American cornerback Quinyon Mitchell as well as ten other All-conference selections when the Rockets take the field at the University of Arizona.
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