Defensive Showdown: Toledo vs. Louisville in Boca Raton Bowl
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Two of college football's top defenses will be on display Tuesday in South Florida when the Louisville Cardinals and Toledo Rockets square off in the Boca Raton Bowl. The Rockets, with an 8-4 record, ranked third nationally among Football Bowl Subdivision schools at the start of bowl season in allowing just 247.8 yards per game.
The Cardinals, also 8-4, give up 300.3 yards per game, which is 15th best in FBS. Louisville is one of five teams to have defeated two College Football Playoff qualifiers. Coach Jeff Brohm's Cardinals were among the teams battling for a playoff spot before a three-game losing streak hurt their chances.
However, they rebounded in their regular-season finale, beating rival Kentucky 41-0 on November 30. Toledo lost at Kentucky 24-16 in its season opener on August 30. The Cardinals faced significant injuries to key offensive players, including running backs Isaac Brown, who recorded 782 rushing yards, and Keyjuan Brown, with 592 rushing yards.
Both are sophomores and top the depth chart heading into the bowl game. Other injured players include senior wide receiver Chris Bell, who had 72 catches for 917 yards, and starting quarterback Miller Moss, who has 2,526 passing yards and 14 touchdowns.
Moss returned to play against Kentucky after missing the game against SMU due to a foot injury. Defensively, Louisville will be without two key linemen, Rene Konga and Wes Bailey, who opted out of the game.
However, senior linebacker TJ Quinn and senior safety D'Angelo Hutchinson remain key contributors. The outcome may hinge on whether Louisville's rushing attack can succeed against a Toledo defense that allows only 89.3 yards per game on the ground.
Toledo will be without head coach Jason Candle, who left for the UConn job on December 6. Robert Weiner will serve as interim coach. The Rockets also face defensive challenges, with three starters opting out and safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren dealing with a leg strain but expected to play.
Toledo may utilize redshirt freshman Kalieb Osborne at quarterback after senior Tucker Gleason sustained an injury in the last game, a 21-3 win against Central Michigan on November 29.