Nick Piotrowicz covers Toledo for the Toledo Blade, and took some time out of his schedule to answer some questions about the Rockets from Daily Chronicle NIU beat writer Steve Nitz. You can read Nick's work at The Blade.




Steve Nitz: First off, do you expect Toledo QB Logan Woodside (leg injury) to play Tuesday?

Nick Piotrowicz: I do not. Matt Campbell has been saying all week that he is hopeful Woodside will play, but I just don't see it. His practice time has been pretty limited and he has been wearing a cast. Woodside isn't fooling anybody into thinking he's Michael Vick, but he can run a little bit and Toledo runs the zone read at least a few times per game.

I just don't know that he can help the team seven days after getting knocked out of a game.

Nitz: If Woodside somehow can't go, what can fans expect to see from redshirt freshman Michael Julian?

Piotrowicz:That's a good question and I wish I had the answer. He's never started. Julian is big and he has a good arm, but I'm not sure how ready he is for a game. During the summer quarterback competition, one of the tactics Toledo used was heavy blitzing, and out of the three, Julian struggled the most with it.

He has the capability to do damage on skill alone, but there certainly are better places to make your first start than on the road against the league's top program.

Nitz: Toledo is looking to beat the Huskies for the first time since 2009. How do Toledo fans view the rivalry?

Piotrowicz: As a serious pain in the butt. Toledo has had some good teams in the past few years that just couldn't beat NIU. A lot of teams have felt that way about NIU, but Toledo has the added bonus of being in the Huskies' division. I think there has been a sense all season that if they plan on going to Detroit, they have to beat NIU.

Now, the Huskies did Toledo a huge favor by losing to Central Michigan. This game essentially has been the MAC West championship game in the past, but Toledo can lose this game this time and still win the division. It doesn't have the gravity it did the past few years for Toledo.

Nitz: Toledo coach Matt Campbell has had some success during his two-plus seasons with the Rockets, but it's not like the program wasn't in good shape before he got there. Do you expect him to be in play for some bigger jobs this offseason?

Piotrowicz: Potentially. He likes Ohio and I think he's content here, so it would have to be the right job. But I also think he'll listen if a bigger program comes calling. His players love him.

Nitz: Last thing, what does Toledo absolutely have to do to beat NIU on Tuesday? Care to give a score prediction?

Piotrowicz: Throw the ball with some sort of conviction. Toledo is running team, just like NIU, but the Rockets have to be able to complete passes. If Julian plays, I think NIU is going to hound him and the running backs until he proves he can beat them in the passing game. Because I don't know who will play QB for Toledo, I can't say with conviction that will happen. Northern Illinois 28, Toledo 17.