Here is a look at the Toledo football team's game against BYU:
Who: BYU (2-2) at Toledo (2-1)
When: Saturday, noon
TV: ESPN+
Radio: 1370 AM
Line: BYU minus-2
Over/under: 60 1/2
Series: BYU leads1-0
Key matchup
Toledo defense vs. BYU quarterback Zach Wilson. Toledo is coming off a game at Colorado State in which the defense allowed 405 passing yards to Rams backup quarterback Patrick O'Brien. The Rockets will have another test in the talented BYU sophomore quarterback. So far this season, Wilson has thrown for 997 yards and three touchdowns. Wilson likes to spread the ball around to different receivers as at least eight players have had a reception in each of the Cougars' four games this season So containing Wilson will be a big key for Toledo in this game, as the Rockets will look to pressure him from their pass rush and play solid in the secondary.
Players to watch
■ BYU: RBs Emmanuel Esukpa and Lopini Katoa. Esukpa and Katoa are set to shoulder the rushing load for BYU after leading rusher Ty'Son Williams was lost for the season with an ACL injury in the Washington game. Esupka is a graduate transfer from Rice who had 778 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in his 29 career games with the Owls. Katoa, a sophomore, was BYU’s leading rusher last season with 423 yards and eight touchdowns. The duo will look to provide a spark in the running game and complement Wilson at quarterback. Losing Williams is a big loss for the Cougars, but having backups as capable as Esukpa and Katoa is a nice luxury.
■ Toledo: RB Bryant Koback. Koback was sensational in Toledo's win at Colorado State with TD runs of 37, 75, and 47 yards as he racked up a career-high 228 yards. He was named the Mid-American Conference West Division Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts. BYU gives up 215.5 rushing yards per game, so Koback could have some success although running lanes may be harder to come by this week. After a career game, Koback will look to help out the Toledo offense with another big game.
Did you know?
The only matchup between Toledo and BYU came in an epic 2016 game in Provo. In that game, the Cougars won a 55-53 shootout. Logan Woodside threw for a UT-record 505 yards and five touchdowns, and BYU running back Jamaal Williams rushed for a school-record 286 yards and five touchdowns. Toledo scored a late touchdown and completed a two-point conversion to take the lead, but BYU kicker Rhett Almond nailed a 19-yard field goal as time expired to give BYU the win.
First Published September 24, 2019, 6:43 p.m.
