The Toledo Rockets and Liberty Flames clash Tuesday afternoon in the college football Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium. The Liberty Flames have lost 3 straight games. The Toledo Rockets have split their last 6 games.
The Liberty Flames have won 3 of their last 4 non-home games. Johnathan Bennett is completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 1,534 yards, 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Demario Douglas and Noah Frith have combined for 1,421 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, while CJ Yarbrough has 15 receptions. The Liberty Flames ground game is averaging 179 yards per contest, and Dae Dae Hunter leads the way with 850 yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, Liberty is allowing 24.9 points and 345.2 yards per game. Mike Smith Jr. leads the Liberty Flames with 69 tackles, Durrell Johnson has 8 sacks and Robert Rahimi has 5 interceptions.
The Toledo Rockets have split their last 6 non-home games. Dequan Finn is completing 59.1 percent of his passes for 2,127 yards, 22 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Jerjuan Newton and Devin Maddox have combined for 1,324 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns, while DeMeer Blankumsee has 37 receptions. The Toledo Rockets ground game is averaging 177.8 yards per contest, and Jacquez Stuart leads the way with 659 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Toledo is allowing 25.5 points and 331.9 yards per game. Dallas Gant leads the Toledo Rockets with 112 tackles, Jamal Hines has 6.5 sacks and Quinyon Mitchell has 5 interceptions.
The Flames are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in December and 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall. The Rockets are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games in December and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The under is 4-1 in Flames last 5 non-conference games. The under is 4-1 in Rockets last 5 games overall.
The Liberty Flames enter the bowl season in rough form, as they’ve lost 3 straight games, and now they’re going through a coaching change. The Toledo Rockets have been hit or miss all season, but they’re an above average team on both sides of the ball, and there’s should be motivation here. Toledo hasn’t won a bowl game since 2015 and is 0-4 in this drought. A roster of 14 seniors should be eager to go out on a high note. We’re not being asked to lay much. Give me Toledo.