1967 Toledo Rockets football team

The 1967 Toledo Rockets football team was an American football team that represented the University of Toledo in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1967 NCAA University Division football season. In their fifth season under head coach Frank Lauterbur, the Rockets compiled a 9–1 record (5–1 against MAC opponents), tied with Ohio for the MAC championship, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 266 to 83. After opening the season with a loss to Ohio, Toledo won nine consecutive games, part of a 12-game winning streak that extended into the 1968 season.

1967 Toledo Rockets football
MAC co-champion
ConferenceMid-American Conference
Record9–1 (5–1 MAC)
Head coach
Captains
Home stadiumGlass Bowl
Seasons
← 1966
1968 →
1967 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Toledo + 5 1 0 9 1 0
Ohio + 5 1 0 6 4 0
Miami (OH) 4 2 0 6 4 0
Western Michigan 4 2 0 5 4 0
Bowling Green 2 4 0 6 4 0
Kent State 1 5 0 4 6 0
Marshall 0 6 0 0 10 0
  • + – Conference co-champions
  • Kent State forfeited a conference win over Ohio.

The 1967 defense was one of the toughest in program history. In total defense, the team allowed 198.4 yards per game, the fourth best in program history. The scoring defense, at 8.3 points per game, ranks fifth in program history. The total of 12 touchdowns allowed ranks third in program history.[1] In a game against Ohio, the Rockets did not allow a single rushing first down. The Rockets held Northern Illinois to -109 rushing yards, which remains a program record.[2] The 13 punts by Northern Illinois also remains tied for a program record for most punts forced.[3]

The team's statistical leaders on offense included John Schneider with 1,650 passing yards, Roland Moss with 833 rushing yards, and Pete Kramer with 556 receiving yards and 96 points scored.[4][5] Schneider and Tom Beutler were the team captains.[6]

Attendance at Toledo's home football games totaled 84,455 in 1967, an average of 14,076 per game.[7]

Schedule

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DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
September 16OhioL 14–20
September 23at Xavier*W 24–710,249[8]
September 30at MarshallW 14–7
October 14at Bowling GreenW 33–0
October 21Western Michigan
  • Glass Bowl
  • Toledo, OH
W 35–9
October 28Kent State
  • Glass Bowl
  • Toledo, OH
W 14–13
November 4at Miami (OH)W 24–14
November 11Northern Illinois*
  • Glass Bowl
  • Toledo, OH
W 35–08,810[9][10]
November 18Dayton*
  • Glass Bowl
  • Toledo, OH
W 21–7
November 23Villanova*
  • Glass Bowl
  • Toledo, OH
W 52–6
  • *Non-conference game

[11]

After the season

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NFL/AFL Draft Draft

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The following Rockets were selected in the 1968 NFL/AFL Draft following the season.[12]

Round Pick Player Position NFL club
5 126 Paul Elzey Linebacker Baltimore Colts
7 170 John Schneider Quarterback Boston Patriots
12 318 Ray Hayes Defensive tackle New York Jets
12 319 Tom Beutler Linebacker Cleveland Browns

References

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  1. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 200.
  2. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 202.
  3. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 203.
  4. ^ "1967 Toledo Rockets Statistics". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  5. ^ 2015 Media Guide, pp. 218-221.
  6. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 164.
  7. ^ 2015 Media Guide, p. 199.
  8. ^ "Rockets rip Xavier '11'". The Lima News. September 24, 1967. Retrieved May 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Koontz, Arvid (November 13, 1967). "Toledo's Defense Stops Huskies' Running Game". The DeKalb Daily Chronicle. p. 10. Retrieved December 9, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Cumulative Football Statistics Report". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  11. ^ "1967 Toledo Rockets Schedule and Results". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  12. ^ "1968 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2023.