Following a 30-23 loss at Arizona State in which Mississippi State trailed by 27 points in the second half before rallying most of the way back, the Bulldogs (1-1) are back at Davis Wade Stadium this weekend for a game against Toledo at 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

MSU is facing a Mid-American Conference opponent for the third straight season, but the Rockets (2-0) will be a tougher challenge than Bowling Green in 2022 or Western Michigan last year. Toledo has not had a losing season under head coach Jason Candle, and last fall the Rockets finished a perfect 8-0 in MAC play. The Rockets also have plenty of experience against high major teams, taking Notre Dame to the wire in 2021 and nearly beating Illinois last year.

To learn more about this year’s Toledo team, which has wins over Duquesne and Massachusetts, The Commercial Dispatch chatted with Kyle Rowland, who covers the Rockets for The Toledo Blade.

Editor’s note: This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

 

The Dispatch: Through two games against weaker competition, what have you learned about this Toledo team so far?

Kyle Rowland: I don’t think there have been any massive surprises. They are the team I thought they would be — mediocre offensive line, great defensive line, and cornerbacks that are a work in progress. Tucker Gleason is still the same quarterback he has been the past two seasons. His completion percentage doesn’t always wow you, but he consistently makes big plays down the field.

 

The Dispatch: What are the biggest challenges the Rockets’ offense will present to Mississippi State?

Rowland: Wide receivers Jerjuan Newton and Junior Vandeross, running back Jacquez Stuart and tight end Anthony Torres have scored touchdowns in each of the first two games. There is no doubt who the playmakers are. Toledo’s offensive line has five new starters, and it’s been so-so thus far. Perhaps the Rockets will find similar success on the ground as Arizona State. If Gleason is relaxed, it’s a bad sign for the Bulldogs.

 

The Dispatch: What have you seen from Toledo’s defense, and what will it have to do to slow down the Bulldogs’ offense?

Rowland: The defensive line has to be a factor. I think MSU quarterback Blake Shapen is way underrated. Ironically, I think he’s better than former Toledo quarterback Dequan Finn, who took Shapen’s old job at Baylor. The Rockets have to pressure Shapen. If he has time to throw against Toledo’s new cornerbacks, it’ll be bad news for the visitors.

 

The Dispatch: Toledo will win if…

Rowland: The Rockets play turnover-free football, Shapen throws at least one interception and Toledo’s special teams units continue returning punts and kicks for a lot of yards. If the Rockets can stay close in the second half and fourth quarter, the pressure always mounts on the home team. An important factor in upsets is simply keeping the score close and then turning it on in the fourth quarter.

 

The Dispatch: Toledo will lose if…

Rowland: Gleason is harassed by Mississippi State’s defensive line, the Rockets have fewer than 100 rushing yards and the defense doesn’t consistently pressure Shapen.