After watching the University of Toledo offensive line on film, Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson noticed several similarities with his line. But the thing that immediately stood out about the Toledo unit was its size.

“In terms of experience, I see some similarities between our offensive line and Toledo’s, I just know that Toledo’s is a lot bigger,” Anderson said. “I don’t know where coach Campbell and coach Candle found those guys, but they did a great job. It’s massive. They probably average 6-foot-5 and 300 across the front. We’re not quite that big.”

The Rockets, who open the season at Arkansas State on Friday, return four of five starters from last season in seniors Storm Norton (6-foot-8, 306 pounds), Paul Perschon (6-foot-6, 312), and Mike Ebert (6-foot-6, 300) as well as junior Elijah Nkansah (6-foot-6, 315).

The group was asked to step in last season and replace five starters from the previous year.

“There was a lot pressure put on our line of course because it was hard graduating five seniors,” Ebert said. “Everyone is looking at the O-line thinking this is going to their biggest flaw. But I’d say for the most part we stepped up to the plate last year and this year we are just trying to live up to our expectations.”

Nkansah says the veteran unit learned a lot from the talented offensive line that the team had two years ago.

“We’re just trying to increase our ability and build our veteran name that we have now from being the rookies from two years ago behind Greg [Mancz] and Jeff [Myers] to being the go-to guys again this year,” Nkansah said. “We’re just trying to keep pushing forward and improving.”

The one position the UT offensive line will need to replace is at center. 

Florida State graduate transfer Ruben Carter played center last season and this year the Rockets will fill the spot with either redshirt freshman Bryce Harris or junior Nate Jeppesen. The two are listed as co-starters on the latest depth chart.

Arkansas State has one of the most experienced offensive lines in the country, returning all five starters from last year. The group is led by seniors Jemar Clark and Colton Jackson — both preseason All-Sun Belt picks — as well as senior Devin Mondie, who is a second-team pick.

Anderson says the Red Wolves' line isn’t nearly as big as Toledo’s but the unit uses its athleticism and agility to get out in space and make plays for the offense.

“Having five seniors that are starting for you and even a couple seniors that are role players that back up and move in, it just gives a lot of confidence to the quarterback knowing that he has guys up front that have played a lot of snaps,” Anderson said. “To have some stability to the O-line really helps us and hopefully it will help our quarterbacks play calm and know that they have guys up front that will take care of business.”

UT coach Jason Candle also sees the similarities between the two units.

“Coming back for them, they should have a lot of experience on their front,” Candle said. “That offensive line has played together for a long time. Certainly the comparison to our returning offensive line holds true because at this point in time last year we were replacing five starters on the O-line and this year we bring back four of those guys.”

For UT, the continuity from last year has led to a close-knit group that will rely on its size and length to try to overpower opposing defensive lines, but will also work well together as a unit.

“I think as a unit we’ve become a lot closer,” Perschon said. “We’re communicating better and working harder and holding each other accountable. Everything you expect out of a veteran group I think we have.”

Contact Brian Buckey at: bbuckey@theblade.com or 419-724-6110.

First Published September 1, 2016, 4:17 a.m.