Toledo will not be able to compete with Illinois’ defensive line, a unit that features an All-American future first-round draft pick and an All-Big Ten performer.
That was the most common prediction entering Saturday’s game against the Fighting Illini. It quickly became obsolete, as the Rockets had a consistent ground attack and kept quarterback Dequan Finn upright in their 30-28 loss.
For the third consecutive game, the maligned Toledo offensive line was a strength, perhaps ending the constant questions surrounding their previous inconsistencies.
“For a good part of that game, we went toe-to-toe on the line of scrimmage,” UT head coach Jason Candle said.