Kyle Rowland

Ohio

Sports Reporter and Writer at The Toledo Blade

College sports reporter and golf writer at the Toledo Blade. Tips, story ideas and requests: [email protected] or DM me.

Articles

NFL draft scouting report: Toledo DL Darius Alexander

1 day ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

Darius Alexander sent his draft stock surging through old-fashioned hard work. The former Toledo Rocket was on every team’s draft board following a dominant 2024 season in which he graded among the best defensive tackles in the country, according to Pro Football Focus. And then Alexander showed up in Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl and became the talk of the town. He terrorized offensive linemen during one-on-one drills and had measurables that turned him into a potential first-round draft pick.
Toledo men's basketball finds familiar faces in transfer portal

3 days ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

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University of Toledo wants to stay ahead of curve in women's sports investment

5 days ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

Women’s sports are experiencing a years-long surge in popularity, with attendance, television ratings, and fanfare reaching unprecedented heights. College basketball has been at the epicenter of that growth, as Iowa sharpshooter Caitlin Clark transcended the sport and introduced a new, diverse generation of fans to the game. The University of Toledo likes to say it was ahead of the curve.
5 standouts from 2025 Toledo football spring practice

6 days ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

The University of Toledo has wrapped up its 15 spring practices. With no spring game this year, fans couldn’t catch a glimpse of the Rockets and theorize about the state of the program. Fear not, that’s where on-the-ground reporting comes in handy. Toledo returned 52 letterwinners from last season’s eight-win team, which had victories over two power conference programs (Mississippi State and Pittsburgh).
No. 2 Lake outlasts No. 5 Eastwood, 2-1, in pitchers' duel

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

PEMBERVILLE, Ohio — A game between the state’s No. 2-ranked team in Division IV and the fifth-ranked team in Division V lived up to the hype Wednesday. Behind superb pitching, No. 2 Lake and No. 5 Eastwood played seven sublime innings, ending on a double play with runners on second and third. Lake earned a 2-1 victory over the host Eagles, its first victory over Eastwood in several years, manufacturing the game-winning run in the top of the seventh, and ending a two-game losing streak this week.
Toledo men's basketball lands Ohio State transfer Austin Parks

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

One of the University of Toledo men’s basketball roster spots has been filled – with big shoes. The Rockets have landed former Ohio State Buckeye Austin Parks. The 6-foot-10, 260-pound center has two seasons of eligibility. And by the sounds of it, he’s planning to use both of them as a Rocket.
Toledo baseball blanked 10-0 by Michigan at Fifth Third Field

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

Michigan’s bats were alive on Wednesday at Fifth Third Field. But it was the arm of Michigan lefty Cade Connolly that flummoxed the University of Toledo in a 10-0 seven-inning loss to the Wolverines. Connolly, who previously played at Santa Clara and Southern California, limited the Rockets to one hit in six innings, striking out eight, walking one, and hitting a batter. Forty-nine of his 74 pitches were strikes, and UT only had four balls leave the infield.
Mud Hens manager Gabe Alvarez feels at home in Toledo

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

During a nine-year professional playing career, Gabe Alvarez knew what his next chapter would entail: coaching. The Mexico native’s mentors were Hall of Fame USC coach Mike Gillespie and long-time MLB manager Buddy Bell. Alvarez took mental notes as a player, focusing on Gillespie and Bell’s feel for the game and how they instilled confidence in their players. When he became a coach, Alvarez wanted to exhibit the same traits.
Game recap: Hens fall 1-0 in series finale to Cubs

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

The rematch between Toledo’s Lael Lockhart and Iowa’s Chris Flexen was dramatically different. Unfortunately for the Mud Hens, the end result was the same: a loss, their 11th of the season. The Cubs closed out the series with a 1-0 win on Sunday at Fifth Third Field in an old-fashioned pitchers’ duel, the opposite of Tuesday’s 14-1 shelling. Lockhart had his best outing of the season, allowing one earned run and five hits in five innings. He struck out five and walked two.
Why Javan Simmons left Toledo men's basketball for Ohio

1 week ago | toledoblade.com | Kyle Rowland

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