Dantin wins flip to start against Arizona

Whitmer's Hayes soon to be a Rocket

Toledo quarterback Austin Dantin looks to throw the ball during practice. Dantin will start Saturday against Arizona.

When captains Terrance Owens and Austin Dantin walk to midfield for the coin toss Saturday at Arizona, it would behoove them to let Dantin call heads or tails.

He is pretty successful at that game.

Unwilling to make a decision between University of Toledo's veteran quarterbacks, coach Matt Campbell flipped a coin Thursday to determine the starter in the season opener. It landed on the side with an "A" -- for Austin -- ensuring Dantin of the first offensive snap for a third straight opener. Owens, a junior who led the Rockets to three straight wins to end last season, will author the second drive.

Perhaps a game of rock-paper-scissors is in store to determine who gets the nod for the third series. Campbell will likely go with the hot hand, a continuation of the arrangement from the last two years.

"We'll play it by ear," he said.

Unlike the fluidness at quarterback, there is a renewed sense of stability in the life of Kenny Hayes. The former Whitmer standout and Ohio State defensive lineman is transferring to UT, a source close to the program told The Blade. Hayes, a former four-star prospect who redshirted last season with the Buckeyes, is soon expected to begin practicing. He will be eligible to play next season and will have three years of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-5, 285-pound Hayes, who could not be reached for comment, did not participate in spring practices at OSU and was granted a release from his scholarship in the preseason.

As for the quarterbacks, Campbell said the coin flip was never his plan.

"In my opinion, we really have two starting quarterbacks, and they both deserve the chance to start," he said.