 ATHENS, OH – Although the past few seasons sometimes have been described as a “Golden Era” of Ohio Bobcat football, Frank Solich and company will embark on the 2011 campaign trying to erase the bitter memories of a poor finish in 2010.
In their regular season finale, the Bobcats saw the MAC East title slip out of their grasp, and they followed that with an embarrassing 48-21 loss to Troy in the New Orleans Bowl. The two-game skid, however, followed a seven-game win streak, and 2010 marked the first time in Bobcats football program history that OU played in back-to-back bowl games.
If Solich and his staff can fill some holes, Ohio may be ready to continue the success that the team has seen over the last five years. The MAC Media preseason poll, in fact, picked OU for second, a mere one-point behind 2010 MAC champ Miami.
OFFENSE
Although the Bobcats have seven starters returning on offense, they must find replacements at quarterback, running back, and two receiver spots. After ranking 94th in the nation in total offense in 2010, Solich is embracing a quicker pace to kick start the unit.
Ohio will miss the playmaking abilities of departed quarterback Boo Jackson on offense. He set numerous records during his career, including career touchdown passes, career completion percentage, career passing yards per attempt, and passing efficiency rating.
The Bobcats have three options to play quarterback, although signs point to redshirt sophomore Tyler Tettleton getting the bulk of the action under center.
In his first season after transferring from Iowa State, then-junior Phil Bates saw a decent amount of snaps in 2010. After missing spring practice due to shoulder surgery, Bates is still trying to get back into the swing of things. Expect him to be used in a Wildcat formation from time to time.
The departure of wide receivers Terrence McCrae and Steven Goulet will hurt, but the return of LaVon Brazill (53 catches, 702 yards in 2009) could be key. He also could step up to be more than a threat on special teams, which could give opposing defenses headaches. Tight end Zac Clark had a good spring, and gives the offense playmaking potential from that position.
Luckily for the offense, the entire offensive line is returning. That will be huge for a team with an inexperienced quarterback. There is not a clear cut running back, but expect senior Donte Harden to get the bulk of carries. Transfer Beau Blankenship and redshirt freshman Ryan Boykin also fit into the mix.
DEFENSE
The Bobcat defense returns just four starters on a unit that carried the team through most of last season.
The defensive line will feature four new starters that will be aided by the return of Curtis Meyer, who missed all of last season with an ACL injury. Overall, the line lacks the size and experience seen last year.
While the line will have a completely new look, all three linebackers are back. The Bobcats will rely on seniors Noah Keller and Eric Benjamin to step up and carry the defense. Keller played in just three games last year, but he averaged nearly nine tackles per game and came up with 155 total tackles (64 solo 91 assists) in 2009. Benjamin had 56 stops in 2010 but has looked very improved.
Alhough only one starter, junior cornerback Travis Carrie, returns in the secondary, the unit will be aided by the return of free safety Gerald Moore. The junior saw his season come to an end during the opener last year against Wofford. Moore had a very impressive freshman season in 2009 where he earned Third Team All-MAC honors.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Matt Weller is back after converting 11-of-14 field goals. All three misses came off blocks. Senior Paul Hershey averaged 41 yards per punt last year.
SCHEDULE
Perhaps nothing more will help the Bobcats in 2011 more than their schedule. The Bobcats have four MAC road games against teams that won a combined five conference games in 2010. They play Ball State and Central Michigan out of the West Division, and get their two hardest games in the East - against Temple and Miami - at home.
IN CLOSING
Despite personnel losses on defense, the Bobcats will still be in the mix yet again for the MAC East title. The season will more than likely come down to games against Temple and Miami late in the season. If they can play consistently, given the weak schedule, ten wins is not a stretch.
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