MOTOR CITY BOWL Toledo line feasts on opposing defenses

Boardman's Chris Tuminello is the center on the Rockets' huge offensive line.
By STEVE JUNGA
TOLEDO BLADE
TOLEDO -- When sizing up the University of Toledo's starting offensive line, the second-biggest in college football, it's understandable if members of some enemy defensive interiors feel a bit intimidated.
But their concerns couldn't possibly match those felt by the manager of any restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat buffet when the Rocket front five come calling.
Dinner guests
Just ask UT offensive-line coach Joe Gilbert and his wife, Cheryl, who had the enormous quintet (average 6-51/2, 320 pounds) over for Thanksgiving dinner a few weeks back.
Toledo's linemen warmed up by knocking off a box of 48 bagel bite snacks plus five pounds of appetizers. Then, along with some inconsequential "side" dishes, they polished off 10 pounds of roast beef, eight pounds of turkey, seven pounds of mashed potatoes and five pounds of pasta.
Just like they often take no prisoners on the football field, the burly Rockets had no mercy on the Gilberts.
There were no leftovers.
And how would these guys impact an all-you-can-eat restaurant?
"They're going to lose a lot of money, that's for sure," Gilbert said. "As far as an over-under [on pounds consumed], I'm going to say they're going to ask them to leave."
"We went to a Pizza Hut buffet and they were scared," said junior right tackle Erik Faasen, the biggest of the big at 6-9 and 353 pounds. "We could've put 'em out of business."
"We thought about going to that all-you-can-eat shrimp buffet at Red Lobster just to see how much we could actually eat," said 6-5, 320-pound sophomore left tackle Nick Kaczur, "and to see how much they sweat when we walk through the door."
Versatility
But Faasen and Kaczur, guards Darric Randolph and Noah Swartz, and center Chris Tuminello, a Boardman High graduate, are more than just conspicuous consumers.
The group has proved agile enough and intelligent enough to enable a graduation-depleted Rocket backfield to, first, cut its teeth, then thrive as the regular season progressed.
Entering Thursday's matchup with 8-4 Boston College in the Motor City Bowl at Detroit's Ford Field, the Rockets are 9-4 with a Mid-American Conference West Division championship.
"They're an intelligent group," Gilbert said. "For the most part, when we have to make adjustments, you only have to tell them one time and it gets done. That's great to have as a coach."
While the trend toward progressively bigger lines in college football has swung back in the direction of smaller-and-quicker in recent years, the Rocket front appears to be getting the job done as is.
"At least we're mobile," Kaczur said. "We have footwork drills every day at practice, and if you can't do the drills you really can't play being our size."
"Being smaller and quicker has its advantages," Faasen said, "and being larger has its advantages. Obviously we get the job done."
Tuminello and Kaczur were first-team All-MAC picks at their positions, and Faasen was named to the second team. Toledo averages 475.2 offensive yards and 36.2 points per game.
"As long as they pass the conditioning and agility tests, we haven't been concerned with their weight," Gilbert said. "They've all stayed within range in the agility training.
"This is the best group of kids I've ever coached. I think a handful of them have a chance to play at the next level if they continue to do the right things."
Signal caller
Under the umbrella protection of this line, senior quarterback Brian Jones, in his first year as a starter, was able to grow comfortable in the pocket and ultimately make the offense his own.
Jones has completed 270 of 382 passes (70.7 percent) for 3,115 yards (239.6 per game) and 21 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. Also an effective scrambler, Jones has rushed 76 times for 382 net yards and five TDs.
"They're not only very large, but they're very smart," Jones said of his bodyguards. "That's what impresses me about them. They communicate well and they understand the game. Plus they're big and they're mean and they get after you. They've helped me get my feet wet and get used to the speed of the game.
"It's very comforting to know I've got big guys like that up front to block for me. It gives me confidence, and I'm more patient in the pocket."
The line knew this would be a key to UT's success this season.
"In the beginning of the year we did help him boost his confidence knowing that he'd be protected and didn't have to worry about getting hit all the time," Faasen said of Jones. "He's gotten better every game."