Injury News: Toledo QB Phillip Ely Out For The Year With A Torn ACL

Saturday had all the makings to be a great day in Toledo Rockets football history. Toledo had a Top 25 team on the schedule, at home. Coming off an impressive win against New Hampshire and with Alabama transfer quarterback, Phillip Ely, many people were expecting Toledo to not only compete with Missouri but some experts were picking a Toledo upset.

Well nothing went according to plans on Saturday and not only did Toledo lose the game, they also lost their starting quarterback for the season. Ely went down late in the third quarter of Saturday's 49-24 loss to the Tigers. Rockets head coach Matt Campbell announced Monday on a  teleconference that Ely has suffered a torn ACL and is done for the year.

Campbell said QB Phillip Ely tore his ACL and will be out for the season.

— Ken Mather (@KenMather_MAC) September 8, 2014

Sophomore quarterback, Logan Woodside, replaced Ely for the remainder of the game and looks poised to start for the remainder of the year. Although Woodside's experience as a starter is minimal, he has stepped in for an injured quarterback before. Last year when Terrance Owens sustained an injury, Woodside actually started against Eastern Washington. In retrospect, this experience could prove extremely valuable in keeping Toledo competitive this year.

With Cincinnati next on the schedule, things don't get much easier for the Rockets. Star running back Kareem Hunt will have an increased workload this week to help get Woodside comfortable under center. If Woodside happens to struggle during the Cincinnati game it will be interesting to see how long of a leash coach Campbell gives his sophomore quarterback before inserting the talented but inexperienced redshirt freshman, Michael Julian. Either way, this is an interesting development that is worth keeping an eye on in the coming weeks.