It’s no shock, but it is sad…

University of Toledo football coach Tom Amstutz plans to step down from his position on Monday, The Blade has learned.

Amstutz and UT athletic director Mike O’Brien are scheduled to announce at a morning news conference that Amstutz will be reassigned to a different job within the university, not necessarily the athletic department, at the conclusion of the season.

Amstutz took over when I was in my second year at UT, and installing the spread offense was one of the better things he’s ever done. Now, the team looks friggin’ awful, despite some real talent on the team. And when there are no answers, the sights fall on the guy at the top.

It’s too bad, because I’ll miss calling him Principal McAmstutz.

The Toledo Rockets have had a tough year. After losing that double overtime thriller to Fresno St., the wheels have fallen off, save a victory over a team who not only had the wheels fall off, but the bumper, muffler, and radiator as well.

This is supposed to be the time when the team leaders need to step up. The captains rally the troops. The seniors grab the freshman by the scruff of their necks and drag them back on the practice field.

Or not.

Senior defensive tackle Sean Williamson was suspended for the remainder of the season for an unspecified violation of team rules, UT announced Friday. UT coach Tom Amstutz declined to comment through a team spokesman.

Senior leadership is overrated anyways. Why, just look at that other team that had the wheels, muffler, bumper, and radiator fall off!

Bad news: Toledo Lost.

Worse news: To Florida International.

Are you kidding me?: Ned scored a touchdown.

(Thanks to Suss for reminding me of brave, young Ned.)

Witness Brandon Marrow’s insidious assault on the Pi Kappa Phi Cannon:

(I talked to Paul Helgren, he said they’re probably going to move the cannon to the North side of the stadium, possibly on the balcony of the Larimer Center.)

I’m trying to find video (or at least a picture), but for right now, a story from the Fresno Bee will have to do:

Nothing was stopping offenses. Even the famous Toledo cannon couldn’t keep up. Cornerback Desmond Marrow slid into the cannon on a play and was injured. It either broke the cannon, or they put it away for safety purposes, because in the second half, for the first time in 55 years, Toledo’s home scores were not followed by cannon fire.

Morrow was alright (thankfully), but how hollow is a Rockets touchdown with the report to follow? From what I saw (I missed the play, riding up in the elevator to the press box), but after it happened, the frat folded up their flag pretty quickly and got out of there. I’ve got an e-mail in to Paul Helgren to try and get the info.

Oh yeah, and the Rockets lost in Double OT, 52-51, Stutz went for the 2pt conversion at the end, but it was broken up from the get-go. Still, not bad for a team that was supposed to lose by 7.