Toledo Football: Can a new quarterback keep the offense rolling in 2018?

Offense

Toledo’s top-20 offense was a major reason why the Rockets emerged as the MAC champions in 2017. They featured a balanced attack that averaged more than 200 rushing yards and 275 passing yards per game. In the upcoming season, Toledo might rely more heavily on its running game.

Though 1300-yard rusher Terry Swanson is no longer with the Rockets, they still have Shakif Seymour and Art Thompkins. The pair combined to rush for 1300 yards, and with an increased workload both could threaten the 1000-yard mark in 2018.

Elijah Nkansah’s departure is the biggest loss along a fairly experienced offensive line. Diontae Johnson and Jon’Vea Johnson are both back at receiver after posting big numbers in 2017. Most of the tools are in place for Toledo to maintain position among the top quartile of offensive production in the country.

Focusing on the new quarterback

Logan Woodside is no longer at Toledo after throwing for more than 8000 yards and 73 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Woodside’s experience last season was a big reason why Toledo managed to win the MAC crown for the first time in over a decade. This is the first time Candle will have to deal with a quarterback transition as a head coach.

But Woodside was actually more prolific in 2016 than 2017, and the parts are in place where the new quarterback won’t have to do too much too quickly. Because Woodside was asked to do less in 2017, the transition this year should be easier in the long run. All the coaching staff needs to do now is determine who that quarterback will be in 2018.

After the spring game, Mitchell Guadagni looks like the early favorite to get the first start of the year. Guadagni is a redshirt junior who has attempted just six passes in his college career. But this will be his fourth year in the program, and that familiarity could go a long way to set up Guadagni for success as the new starter. Candle could also turn to sophomore Eli Peters, who got an opportunity to start for one of the teams in the spring game.