Toledo's stacked running game will challenge Temple

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Toledo's running attack has been described as a two-headed monster, but the Rockets have more weapons than that. The ability of Temple (10-3) to stop the Toledo ground game will be a major key Tuesday when the teams meet in the Boca Raton Bowl.

Junior Kareem Hunt and sophomore Terry Swanson have rushed for more than 800 yards apiece, but opponents can't let up when neither is in the game.

"We have more than me and Terry," said Hunt, who has rushed for 894 yards and 10 touchdowns in eight games for the 9-2 Rockets. "We've got Damion Jones-Moore and Marc Remy, and those guys are different types of running backs."

Swanson has rushed for 870 yards and seven touchdowns. Jones-Moore, a junior, has rushed for 404 yards and five TDs. Also a junior, Remy has added 171 yards.

The 5-foot-11, 225-pound Hunt is the top back. He missed the Rockets' opening 16-12 win at then-ranked Arkansas after violating team policies and also sat out two games with a hamstring injury.

Both Hunt and Swanson (who was injured) were out against Arkansas, and the Rockets persevered. Jones-Moore gained 68 yards on 11 carries and scored on an 11-yard run. Remy added 33 yards on nine carries.

The hardest job goes to Jason Candle, who was the offensive coordinator before being named head coach when Matt Campbell resigned at the end of the regular season to become the Iowa State coach. Candle must determine the playing time of his running backs.

"All four of them run the ball well, pass-protect, catch the ball, and are great players," Candle said. "It's a fun problem to have, trying to mix and match them in there and getting them all time."

It's not as fun attempting to stop them.

"Guys push each other each and every day, and that makes us better," Swanson said. "We are close, and that helps makes us a complete backfield."

mnarducci@phillynews.com

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