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Big-game hunting: Defensive line play critical in Group of Five upsets

Related Topics: Jason Candle

Big-game hunting is a favorite pastime for the University of Toledo.

Since the Rockets’ landmark 24-6 victory at Penn State in 2000, they have 11 wins over power conference programs, with near misses at Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Illinois.

The common denominator in those 14 games spread over two-plus decades is a dominant Toledo defensive line, as the Rockets averaged 7.2 tackles for loss and 2.7 sacks.

It’s an old family recipe that they’ll have to cook up again Saturday night at Mississippi State.

“Any college football game, it’s really won and lost at the line of scrimmage,” Toledo head coach Jason Candle said.