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Toledo's wideouts will test Mississippi State football's defense

The Rockets have some pieces in their receiving corps that will challenge the Bulldog secondary.

By Andrew Miller

Dec 2, 2023; Detroit, MI, USA; Toledo Rockets wide receiver Junior Vandeross III (2) runs the ball upfield after catching a pass against the Miami (OH) Redhawks in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Dec 2, 2023; Detroit, MI, USA; Toledo Rockets wide receiver Junior Vandeross III (2) runs the ball upfield after catching a pass against the Miami (OH) Redhawks in the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images / Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
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Mississippi State football is coming off a rough defensive performance against Arizona State and is hoping to play much better in Starkville this weekend as the Toledo Rockets come to town. What will the Toledo offense have in store for them?

Toledo lost a lot on offense but has a talented receiving corps

Toledo fielded one of the better offenses in the G5 last season with a strong rushing attack led by RB Peny Boone and QB Dequan Finn. Both transferred to Big 12 programs this offseason, and while talented RB Jacquez Stuart returned, the Rockets also lost all five starting offensive lineman. Where the Rockets don't lack talent, however, is in the receiving corps. Dynamic receivers Jerjuan Newton and Junior Vandeross III are back after big 2023 seasons, as is productive TE Anthony Torres. Newton and Vandeross have combined for 290 yards and four TDs through two games. At QB, Tucker Gleason takes over. He isn't the athlete Finn was, though he will run some, and accuracy isn't a strong suit. But so far, he's thrown six TDs and no picks.

Toledo struggled to get its offense going against UMass

While the Rockets had no issues in Week 1 with FCS Duquesne, UMass presented them problems in Week 2. Toledo went 3-and-out on their first three drives and punted on five of their first seven. They couldn't run the ball (22 carries for 83 yards), and Gleason was just 8/23 as a passer. If not for Jerjaun Newton taking a touch pass jet sweep 40 yards to the house and Junior Vandeross III going for a 73-yard score off a RPO, Gleason day would've looked even worse. A kickoff return TD by Jacquez Stuart and late TD drive that started on the UMass 25 made the final score of 38-23 mask some of their offensive ineptitude.

Mississippi State's secondary will face its first real test of the season

Despite some struggles for the Rocket offense, Newton and Vandeross III are a legitimately scary WR duo, and Torres at TE adds another body secondaries have to worry about. And while Gleason may not be the most efficient at throwing them the ball, Toldeo HC Jason Candle will absolutely scheme up some easy touches for them in space. For all the talk of Mississippi State's awful run defense, the Bulldog secondary is about to get tested for the first time. That group seems to have played well so far, but they've also not be thrown at much so far. We'll get an idea if the secondary can be a strength for State's defense or if it's also a liability on Saturday.

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