Bruce Gradkowski set Toledo school records for completion percentage and touchdown passes as a sophomore in 2003.

Rockets coach Tom Amstutz wants even better things from the junior this fall.

“We have high expectations for Bruce because he has a year in as a starting quarterback,” Amstutz said. “We’re going to add more wrinkles, more information to our offense. The playbook will get bigger for him. Also, the responsibility to run the offense will fall on his shoulders more.”

Gradkowski passed for 3,210 yards last season and rewrote the school record book with a 71.2 percent completion rate (277 of 389) and 29 TD passes.

Only two starters return on the offensive line, but Toledo is loaded with wide receivers.

Lance Moore caught 103 passes for 1,194 yards and nine touchdowns as a junior, and Steve Odom caught 62 passes as a freshman.

Toledo also has all-conference pick Andrew Clarke at tight end.

Junior running back Trinity Dawson fell one yard short of 1,000 in 2003 and had 10 TD runs.

Toledo, which ranked 24th in the nation in scoring (32.4 points per game) and 11th in total offense (462.8 yards) must improve on defense while replacing six starters.

Toledo lost all four of its starters and two top reserves from the defensive line.

Amstutz, whose team allowed an average of 388.3 yards per game, responded by signing six defensive line recruits.

On special teams, the Rockets need an upgrade or a better year from junior Jason Robbins, who made three of seven field-goal attempts last season.

Toledo, which won the MAC West in 2001 and 2002, was left out of the bowl picture in 2003 despite an 8-4 record.

“There’s no sense of desperation here,” Amstutz said. “We just strive for excellence. We want to be the best we can be whether it’s in a practice or game. That’s our goal.”

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