The rest of the Toledo football team had quietly vacated the visitors’ locker room at the University of Illinois’ Memorial Stadium, dejectedly boarding the buses for the five-hour bus ride home.
One person remained, sitting in silence in front of his locker: cornerback Chris McDonald, Jr.
The senior from Miami has established himself as one of the top cover corners in the Mid-American Conference. But in the season-opening loss against the Fighting Illini, despite lockdown coverage on fourth-and-4 late in the fourth quarter, Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer found the slimmest opening to complete the pass, leading to the game-winning field goal.