Ball State coach impressed with Toledo's Woodside
Senior QB threw for 267 yards, 3 scores Thursday
10/27/2017MUNCIE, Ind. — When Ball State football coach Mike Neu began to watch film of the University of Toledo ahead of this week’s game, one thing stood out first and foremost to him.
“They have the best quarterback playing the best football in the conference right now, and perhaps in the country,” Neu said. “I have a ton of respect for Logan Woodside. You can see his confidence just scream out on film. He plays with swagger and he does a fantastic job of running their offense and getting the ball in the hands of their playmakers.”
Toledo coach Jason Candle said Woodside has been in control of the offense this season, and especially against Akron, when he spread the ball around to 10 different receivers and threw five touchdown passes.
Candle looks for decision making and accuracy when he evaluates the play of Woodside.
“It all starts with the quarterback,” Candle said. “He’s a senior quarterback, and he sees the field. He’s going to take what the defense gives him, and he’s not going to play out of who he is or be somebody he’s not. He’s going to play within the offense and make the right read. He’s been coached for five years to make great decisions and be accurate with the football. That’s it. Those are the only two things he really ever gets graded on.”
SACK ARTIST: Ball State senior defensive end Anthony Winbush entered the Toledo game as the Football Bowl Subdivision leader in sacks per game with a mark of 1.36. His 9½ total sacks are second nationally only to Central Michigan’s Joe Ostman (10).
Winbush also is tied for first in the nation forced fumbles with four.
“Our tackles are going to have a really tough time this week, because [Ball State] has a dynamite pass rusher,” Candle said. “He’s a really player. He’s the best player at his position in our conference.”
Winbush injured his ankle against Toledo on a first quarter pass rush, but was able to return to the game.
SWANSON BREAKS FREE: In the second quarter, Terry Swanson broke free on a 71-yard touchdown run up the middle. It was the longest touchdown run of Swanson’s career. He has previous runs of 90 and 88 yards that did not go for a touchdown. It also was the longest run of the season for Toledo.
BALL STATE TD DROUGHT: When Malik Dunner raced up the middle for a 41-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, it was the first Ball State touchdown since its Sept. 23 game against Western Kentucky. The Cardinals went three consecutive games without finding the end zone.
Contact Brian Buckey at: bbuckey@theblade.com, 419-724-6110, or on Twitter @BrianBuckey.