 Senior Chris Garrett is a triple threat Ohio coughed up 32 turnovers last year and forced 19. That was a league worst -13 in turnover margin, and it contributed to a next-to-last finish in the MAC East. By contrast, eastern division champ Buffalo was a +34 in turnovers. To make matters worse, Ohio also committed a league-worst 79 penalties. Together, the penalties and turnovers killed more than a few OU drives.
With seven starters returning on each side of the ball, Ohio has the personnel to compete with just about anybody on a given day – if it consistently executes.
OFFENSE: The Bobcats scored a total of 90 points while finishing last season with a pair of wins (versus Akron and Miami). Coach Frank Solich would love to see his team keep it rolling in ’09, and he has the quarterbacks to get things started. Theo Scott got the call to start the 2008 season, but after completing 26 of 35 passes for 224 yards, one TD and one interception, Scott suffered a broken collarbone in the Bobcats’ second game.
Boo Jackson, also a senior, started the final 10 games and set school single-season records with 19 touchdowns passes and 2,688 total yards of offense. He also picked up a school single-game record with 413 yards of total offense against Central Michigan. With Scott healthy, Ohio will have two experienced and talented signal callers at its disposal.
There’s more talent behind whom ever lines up at quarterback. Senior Chris Garrett (5-8, 185) is a dual threat who finished sixth in the MAC in all-purpose yardage (131.5 ypg) rankings. Actually, make that a triple threat, since Garrett is also an accomplished kick returner.
Another back who should see his share of action is sophomore Dante Harden (5-11, 181). He had three starts and rushed 87 times for 454 yards with two TDs before sustaining an injury against Kent State.
Wideout Taylor Price (6-1, 212) brings a veteran presence to the receiving corps. He started 11 games and led Ohio with 51 catches in 2008. Junior LaVon Brazill is also a returning starter.
One offensive area with some question marks is the line. Right guard Michael Philbin (6-4, 299, Sr.) is the only returning starter. He had an 84 percent overall grade over 477 snaps last year and was flagged for a penalty just once.
DEFENSE: The Bobcats ranked middle-of-the-pack to slightly better in a number of defensive categories. If the team can cut down on turnovers and penalties, Ohio can probably move up the ladder in several offensive AND defensive categories.
Solid defense typically begins up front, and OU has experience along the line. While the Bobcats will miss All-MAC selection Jameson Hartke, Curtis Meyer, Ernie Hodge and Kris Luchsinger are returning starters along the line.
Lee Renfro and Noah Keller return at linebacker spots. The latter was an All-MAC Second Team selection and led his team with 104 stops. Renfro was second with 83.
Senior safety Steven Jackson earned All-MAC Third Team honors and joins classmate Thad Turner (corner) as returning starters among the defensive backs.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Ohio did much better in its return games in 2008 than it did kicking the ball. Redshirt freshman place kicker Matt Weller hopes to provide some answer in 2009. He was an Ohio Second Team All-State (Division I) selection following his senior season in high school.
OTHER: Ohio opens its season at home when it hosts Connecticut of the Big East Conference. After a road game at North Texas and home date with Cal Poly, the Bobcats wrap up their non-league schedule with a Sept. 26 matchup against Tennessee at Knoxville. It is one of four college stadiums with a listed capacity of over 100,000. |
