TOLEDO (11-2) VS. APPALACHIAN ST. (8-4)
Site: Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Ala.
Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m. TV: ESPN.
Line: Toledo by 7.
All-time series: Appalachian State leads 1-0.
Last meeting: Appalachian State 31, Toledo 28 (2016 Camellia Bowl).
TOLEDO
Coach: Jason Candle (2nd season, 21-6).
All-time postseason: 10-6.
Last postseason appearance: Lost to Appalachian State 31-28 in 2016 Camellia Bowl.
Draft spotlight: QB Logan Woodside. The first player in Toledo history to throw for 10,000 career yards, the Kentucky native plays with a chip on his shoulder that comes from never having secured the starting job until his senior year. Has completed 65 percent of his passes as a Rocket.
Other Rockets to watch: RB Terry Swanson, OT Elijah NKansah, LB Ja’Waun Woodley.
Rocket Fuel: A bowl victory would make these Rockets the third team in school history to reach 12 wins. Toledo went 12-0 in both 1970 and ’71. … The Rockets have won at least nine games in six of the past seven seasons. … Toledo’s 39.2 points and 509.9 yards per game this year are both No.2 in school annals.
APPALACHIAN STATE
Coach: Scott Satterfield (5th season, 36-14).
All-time postseason: 2-0.
Last postseason appearance: Beat Toledo 31-28 in 2016 Camellia Bowl.
Draft spotlight: G Colby Gossett. Versatile lineman who has extensive time at both guard and tackle. Guard is considered his better spot. At 6-6, Gossett combines strong movement and zone-blocking skills with an NFL frame and length. Allowed just one sack as a junior; dean of an O-line that has allowed just 8 sacks all year.
Other Mountaineers to watch: QB Taylor Lamb, OT Beau Nunn, LB Eric Boggs, LB Devan Stringer.
Mountaineer Lore: App State is 3-for-3 in earning bowl invitations as a full-fledged FBS member. Marshall is the only other team to accomplish that (1997-99). … Lamb has started the past 48 games at QB; the bowl will be his 51st appearance. … Satterfield spent one year as Toledo’s passing-game coordinator in 2009. Current UT coach Jason Candle tutored receivers.
* underclass draft prospect