The University of Toledo football team welcomes Northern Illinois today at the Glass Bowl. Here are three keys to the game:
1) Can UT establish its rushing game?: The Rockets, led by senior running back Terry Swanson, have run the ball very well in MAC play. Swanson is the MAC’s leading rusher at 104.0 yards per game and Shakif Seymour has been contributing as well. But Northern Illinois has a very talented front-7 that will look to shut down the UT running attack.
2) Can UT pass protect for Logan Woodside?: Northern Illinois sophomore defensive end Sutton Smith has already recorded 9.5 sacks and a whopping 20 tackles for loss. It will be the job of UT senior tackles – Elijah Nkansah and Brant Weiss to slow Smith down and give Woodside some time to throw in the pocket.
3) Can UT contain the running of Marcus Childers?: Childers, starting his fourth game of the season, has done a good job not only passing, but rushing the ball as well. The run threat from Childers will have the UT defense on their toes, because the Rockets have yet to face a quarterback as mobile as Childers.
Contact Brian Buckey at: bbuckey@theblade.com, 419-724-6110, or on Twitter @BrianBuckey.
First Published November 2, 2017, 3:00 p.m.