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In defeat, Toledo defense plays at championship level

Related Topics: Toledo, Ryan McNeil

LEXINGTON, Ky. — If defense wins championships, consider the University of Toledo a Mid-American Conference contender, even in defeat.

The Rockets entered the 2025 season with great expectations. Despite losing to the University of Kentucky, 24-16, on Saturday, most of those expectations remain intact.

Credit a gnarly, macho defense.

“They hung in there,” Toledo coach Jason Candle said.

Kentucky only had 206 yards through three quarters, finishing with 305 yards. Seventy-nine came on a single fourth-quarter run that Candle attributed to fatigue after the Wildcats possessed the football for nearly 10 minutes during the third quarter.