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Among the five offensive starters now departed are quarterback Theo Scott, running back Chris Garrett and wide receiver Taylor Price. The latter was a Second Team All-MAC selection and third round NFL pick by the New England Patriots. Garrett gained 658 rushing yards and was a First Team All-MAC pick as a kickoff return specialist. Scott, meanwhile, provided invaluable veteran leadership and considerable skills in leading Ohio after the loss of QB Boo Jackson early in the year.

Although he was somewhat limited in spring drills, Jackson should be ready to roll for the Sept. 4 opener against Wofford in Athens. If the senior can return to his 2008 form, Ohio should again be a formidable foe. The versatile Jackson set an OU school record of 2,688 yards of total offense that year, including a record 413 yards of offense against Central Michigan.

Jackson’s 2,355 yards passing and 60.5 completion percentage that season were both good for second place among Ohio U quarterbacks statistics. He also connected on 19 touchdown passes.

The former honorable mention junior college All-American’s ability to run should keep opposing defenses honest and help the Bobcats improve when getting deep into the redzone.

“We’ve got quarterbacks that can also develop into excellent runners, so I think we can attack you in numerous ways when we get you in a short yardage situation,” head Coach Frank Solich said.

Senior Vince Davidson and junior Donte Harden figure in a running game that hopes to improve on an 11th place (MAC) ranking in 2009. Ohio was also part of a three-way tie for last with nine rushing touchdowns last year.

“We’ve got things to improve on. There’s no question about it,” Solich said. “You have to be able to run the football some, and I think we’re getting better and better at that.”

LaVon Brazill (53 rec., 702 yds, 13.2 ypc, 6 TDs) was a significant part of the Bobcats passing game last year and should be a prime target in 2010.

Classmate Terrence McCrae’s 35 catches in 2009 included nine TD receptions, which tied the school’s single season for touchdown receptions. He had seven catches for 141 yards and a TD in the MAC Championship game.

Giving the quarterback(s) time and clearing a way for runners is an offensive line that boasts three returning starters. Junior A.J. Strum, sophomore Eric Herman and junior Joe Felding return.

As good as the offense might be, defense has the building blocks upon which the Bobcats can build. Among the six returning starters is Noah Keller, who set a MAC Championship tilt record with 16 stops and led the league with an average of 11.1 tackles per game. The linebacker’s 155 tackles was the highest single-season total for the program in more than 15 seasons.

Tabbed as a preseason All-American by SI.com and named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the 6-1, 227-pound linebacker at times seems to be everywhere.

“The scheme that I play in right now is just a middle linebacker’s dream,” Keller said. “It’s the best position on the field.”

Keller credited the Bobcats defensive line with enabling him to be in a position to make tackles, and Ohio returns a slew of players up front. (Senior) Ernie Hodge was a Third Team All MAC selection in 2009. Fellow seniors Dan Notestine, Stafford Gatling and 6-1, 340-pound Marcellis Williamson will also return to anchor the defensive front.

What immediate questions there are on the defensive side are beyond the line. Who will flank Keller at linebacker and who will join sophomore free safety Gerald Moore in the secondary? Moore had six INTs in 2009. Cornerbacks Julian Posey (Sr) and Kenny Jackson (Jr) should also figure in the secondary equation. Each had a TD interception return for a score last year.

Contending teams typically fair well in special teams play, and Ohio was outstanding in several key special teams areas last year. Garrett led the MAC with a 27.0 kickoff return average, while Brazill returns after tying Central Michigan’s Antonio Brown for first with a 13.5 punt return average. The 5-11, 188-pound Brazill was the only Football Bowl Subdivision player in the nation to record three punt returns for TDs in 2009. His longest was a 91-yarder against Northern Illinois.

“I’ll take receiver plays off (just) to play special teams … because special teams win games,” Brazill said.

As far as the kicking game is concerned, redshirt sophomore Matt Weller returns after an outstanding freshman season that resulted in his selection to the First Team All-MAC squad. His 21 field goals, which equaled the top freshman mark nationally, was a new school record. Junior Paul Hershey will assume punting duties after averaging 36.5 yards on 15 boots in spot duty last season.

After opening 2010 with home dates against Wofford and Toledo, Ohio must travel to Ohio State before a return matchup on the road against Marshall. The Thundering Herd and Bobcats are natural rivals, and this year’s contest is already on the minds of every Ohio player after the narrow loss to Marshall in last year’s bowl game.

“It definitely left a sour taste in every one’s mouth,” Keller said. “We’re definitely ready to get back after it.”

Asked about fan expectations coming into 2010, Solich indicated high expectations are what the team has earned, but producing is the springboard to attaining higher goals.

“I believe there is a feeling on campus and in Athens that the program is positioning itself to be good year after year,” Solich said. “We feel it’s now time for our program to step us and win a conference championship and win a bowl game.”