1970 Toledo Rockets football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1970 Toledo Rockets football Mid-American Conference MAC 17 12 12–0 5–0 Frank Lauterbur 8th Dave Hardy 3rd Dick Strahm 1st Tom Duncan Tony Harris Glass Bowl MAC championTangerine Bowl champion Tangerine Bowl W 40–12 vs. William & Mary The 1970 Toledo Rockets football team was an American football team that represented the University of Toledo in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. In their eighth and final season under head coach Frank Lauterbur, the Rockets compiled a 12–0 record, outscored all opponents by a combined total of 384 to 88, and won the MAC championship. The season ended with a 40–12 victory over Southern Conference champion William & Mary in the 1970 Tangerine Bowl.1970 Toledo Rockets Schedule and Results Sports Reference LLC SR/College Football September 21, 2016 https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/toledo/1970-schedule.htmlToledo Football 2015 Media Guide University of Toledo 2015 190 http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/utrockets.com/documents/2015/8/17/Toledo_Football_Media_Guide_2015b.pdf September 23, 2016 February 10, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160210044115/http://sidearm.sites.s3.amazonaws.com/utrockets.com/documents/2015/8/17/Toledo_Football_Media_Guide_2015b.pdf dead The Rockets were ranked No. 12 in the final AP Poll and No. 17 in the final UPI Poll.2015 Media Guide, p. 196. After the Tangerine Bowl, William & Mary head coach Lou Holtz said, "Toledo can play football with anyone – that includes teams like Ohio State and Texas." The 1970 season was part of a 35-game winning streak that consisted of three consecutive seasons from 1969 through 1971. During the streak, Toledo won three consecutive MAC championships and three consecutive bowl games, led the nation in total defense all three years, and outscored opponents by a combined total of 1,152 to 344.2015 Media Guide, p. 138. It remains the second longest winning streak in modern Division I-A college football history behind Oklahoma's 47-game streak in the 1950s.Toledo to celebrate 30th anniversary of 35-0 football streak Ron Musselman The Blade (Toledo) October 4, 2001 http://www.toledoblade.com/UT/2001/10/04/Toledo-to-celebrate-30th-anniversary-of-35-0-football-streak.html The defense led the way for the 1970 team, allowing 104.8 rushing yards, 185.8 total yards, 3.7 turnovers forced, and 7.3 points per game.2015 Media Guide, pp. 200–201. In a game against Dayton, Toledo allowed only 44 yards of total offense, zero rushing first downs, and zero passing yards, each of which remains a program record.2015 Media Guide, p. 202. In a 52–3 victory over Marshall, the team forced seven turnovers.2015 Media Guide, p. 203. Defensive tackle Mel Long was selected as a first-team All-American by the Newspaper Enterprise Association.3 Buckeyes on NEA All-American The Times-Recorder November 29, 1970 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/2976171/nea_allamerican/ Eleven Toledo players received first-team All-MAC honors: Mel Long, quarterback Chuck Ealey, fullback Charlie Cole, end Don Fair, offensive guard Bob Caverly, offensive tackle Ken Wilson, defensive end Bob Rose, linebacker John Niezgoda, middle guard Steve Schnitkey, and defensive backs Tom Duncan and Gary Hinkson.2015 Media Guide, p. 147. For the second consecutive year, Chuck Ealey was named MAC Back of the Year, and Frank Lauterbur was named MAC Coach of the Year. Mel Long was also named MAC Lineman of the Year.2015 Media Guide, p. 148. Ken Crots, who converted six of 18 field goal attempts,2015 Media Guide, p. 224. Ealey also won the Jim Nicholson Award as the player contributing the most to the team's success.2015 Media Guide, p. 160. The team captains were Tom Duncan and Tony Harris.2015 Media Guide, p. 164. The team's statistical leaders included Chuck Ealey with 2,026 passing yards, Charles Cole with 774 rushing yards, Don Fair with 949 receiving yards, Tom Duncan with 76 points scored, Steve Schnitkey with 178 tackles, and Gary Hinkson with seven interceptions.2015 Media Guide, pp. 213, 218-222. The Rockets played their home game in the Glass Bowl. The attendance at six home games was 93,120, an average of 15,520 per game.2015 Media Guide, p. 199. One day before the Rockets' appearance in the Tangerine Bowl, Frank Lauterbur confirmed a leak that he was leaving the program to become the head football coach at Iowa.Lauterbur Quits Toledo for Iowa Evening Journal Wilmington, Delaware December 29, 1970 36 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/6744810/lauterbur_quits_toledo_for_iowa/ Lauterbur compiled a 48–32–2 record in eight seasons at Toledo. Schedule 1970 AP Eastern September 12 8:00 p.m. w y East Carolina Glass Bowl Toledo, OH 35–2 14,106 https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72513223/toledo-cracks-pirates/ The News and Observer Toledo cracks Pirates September 13, 1970 March 2, 2021 Newspapers.com September 19 1:30 p.m. w y y Buffalo Rotary Field Buffalo, NY 27–6 7,789 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-blade-tu-downs-buffalo-wins-13th-st/182551670/ The Blade TU downs Buffalo, wins 13th straight September 20, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com September 26 8:00 p.m. w y Marshall Glass Bowl Toledo, OH 52–3 12,804 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-blade-rocket-steamroller-crushes-mae/182554832/ The Blade Rocket steamroller crushes Maeshall September 27, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 3 1:30 p.m. w y Ohio Peden Stadium Athens, OH 42–7 16,800 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-recorder-toledo-bombs-ohio-u/182610482/ The Times Recorder Toledo bombs Ohio U October 4, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 10 8:00 p.m. w Bowling Green Glass Bowl Toledo, OH rivalry 20–0 21,123 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-toledo-sails/182610572/ The Orlando Sentinel Toledo sails October 11, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 17 1:31 p.m. w y Western Michigan Waldo Stadium Kalamazoo, MI 20–0 23,200 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-south-bend-tribune-toledo-explodes-i/182610649/ The South Bend Tribune Toledo explodes in fourth quarter October 18, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 24 w y T–19 Kent State Dix Stadium Kent, OH 34–17 8,019 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-toledo-wins-18t/182610725/ The Atlanta Journal & Constitution Toledo wins 18th October 25, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com October 31 1:30 p.m. w Miami (OH) Glass Bowl Toledo, OH 14–13 18,439 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer-toledo-nails-19th-in-ro/182610818/ The Plain Dealer Toledo nails 19th in row November 1, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com November 7 w y 15 Northern Illinois Glass Bowl Toledo, OH 45–7 12,127 https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-records-fall/182555951/ News Journal Records fall November 8, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com November 14 1:30 p.m. w y y 16 Dayton Baujan Field Dayton, OH 31–7 7,163 https://www.newspapers.com/article/dayton-daily-news-toledo-snowballs-dayto/182611009/ Dayton Daily News Toledo snowballs Dayton with snowman November 15, 1970 October 8, 2025 Newspapers.com November 21 8:00 p.m. w y 15 Colorado State Glass Bowl Toledo, OH 24–14 14,521 Toledo 24 Colorado St. 14 Mansfield News-Journal November 22, 1970 6E https://www.newspapers.com/clip/30109430/toledo_24_colorado_st_14/ Newspapers.com December 28 w y y 15 William & Mary Tangerine Bowl Orlando, FL Tangerine Bowl 40–12 15,664 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-t-bowl-is-wholly-to/139352179/ The Orlando Sentinel T-Bowl is wholly Toledo, 40–12 December 29, 1970 January 22, 2024 Newspapers.com Schedule/Results (1970 Toledo) https://stats.ncaa.org/teams/296765 National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Statistics May 5, 2025 Roster 1970 Toledo Rockets f 16 Jr Chuck Ealey QB y 77 Jr Mel Long DT y *Frank Lauterbur Dave Hardy – Offensive coordinator Sil Cornachione – Offensive backs Charlie Snyder – Wide receivers Dick Strahm – Defensive coordinator Don Lewis – Defensive ends/linebackers Jim Flynn – Defensive backs After the season NFL draft The following Rockets were selected in the 1971 NFL draft following the season.https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/draft.htm 1971 NFL Draft Listing Pro-Football-Reference.com July 29, 2023 Toledo Rockets 2 Round Pick Player Position NFL club 4101Tony HarrisRunning backSan Francisco 49ers15369Charles ColeRunning backBuffalo Bills References Toledo Category:Toledo Rockets football seasons Category:Mid-American Conference football champion seasons Category:Citrus Bowl champion seasons Category:College football undefeated seasons Toledo Rockets football