 A Bobcats victory would give Ohio its first 10-win season and its first post-season victory ever. Utah State is also hungry for a post-season win and should bring a good fan following to Boise - about a five-hour drive from USU.
TALE OF TWO HALVES
Which Ohio team will show up to face Utah State, and will THAT team stick around for four quarters? There is the Ohio team that jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead over Northern Illinois in the MAC title tilt. There is also the Ohio team that failed to score after intermission and allowed the Huskies to pull out a win with 23 unanswered points. NIU claimed the crown after a field goal as time expired gave the Huskies the win.
As disappointing – to put it mildly – as that setback was, the Bobcats are aware that they still have a chance to close 2011 in record fashion. Ohio (9-4) hasn’t won 10 games since 1968 and also is winless in post season competition.
It would seem to be plenty of incentive, but there is also plenty in the way of opposition.
AGGIES TOUGH DOWN THE STRETCH
Utah State (7-5) suffered multiple disappointments early. Among its losses are a 42-38 setback at Auburn to open the season and a 27-24 road loss to Brigham Young Sept. 30. Those defeats, as well as a double-overtime setback to Colorado State were opportunities lost and contributed to a 2-5 record through seven games. But Utah State pulled out a 35-31 win at Hawaii Nov. 5 to begin a five-game winning streak. During that span, the Aggies outscored their opposition by a total of 20 points.
With the bowl game in Boise, Idaho, Utah State should be able to produce a strong fan base that appreciates a team that has already posted its most wins in 30 years. Couple that with a solid attack, and the Aggies could prove to be a very formidable foe. Like the Bobcats, Utah State is hungry. USU is 1-5 in the postseason and last appeared in a bowl game in 1997 – also in Boise for the former Humanitarian Bowl.
TURBIN POWERS USU RUSHING ATTACK
The Aggies like to feed on rushing yardage and are ranked sixth nationally with an average of 277.5 yards per game. Their primary ball-carrying threat is Robert Turbin, a 5-10, 216-pound junior in his fifth year of college. He has two medical redshirts behind him and a decision about whether to try the pro ranks next year in front of him.
Turbin ranked 10th nationally with 118 yards rushing per contest. He went over the century mark eight times in 12 games, with a high mark of 208 yards and three TDs on a total of 24 carries against Idaho Nov. 19. He registered 19 rushing touchdowns and four receiving scores on the campaign, good enough to rank him fifth in scoring nationally.
As good as Turbin is, Utah State can also give the ball to other runners – such as Michael Smith or Kerwynn Williams, who work the edges well.
The Aggies are certainly capable of passing the ball, too, and quarterback Adam Kennedy has played a key role in getting USU into a bowl. He was at the helm during the regular season-ending win streak.
KENNEDY PROVIDED CLUTCH LEADERSHIP
The 6-5, 210-pound junior produced victories under pressure, as only one contest during the span had a separation of seven points. The remaining four were four points or less. In the final game, a 24-21 win over New Mexico State, Kennedy was 12-for-16 for 123 yards and three touchdowns. He also carried the ball 15 times for 95 yards (6.3 ypc).
Owing to better decisions by Kennedy, blocking, or scheme, the Aggies have significantly reduced the amount of sacks on the quarterback during the win steak. Kennedy was sacked eight times at Hawaii. From there, the sacks allowed dropped to 5, 4, 2, and 1.
Defensively, USU has given up some points, even in wins (e.g. a 49-42 victory at Idaho). However, the Aggies have improved the athleticism on defense and are able to put more pressure on opponent passing games. Playing in the Mountain West Conference, Utah State has certainly seen its share of passing teams.
BOBCATS BRING BALANCED ATTACK
Ohio is a capable passing team, ranking 39th nationally with an average of 251.23 yards per game. The Bobcats also ran the ball at a 206.08 clip, good for 24th nationally. Together, Ohio ranked 21st in total offense (457.31 ypg).
The balanced offense is perhaps embodied by quarterback Tyler Tettleton, who ranked 19th nationally in “Points Responsible For.” He registered nine rushing TDs and passed for 26 touchdowns while throwing just 10 interceptions over 13 games.
The sophomore tossed three touchdowns in three different games, but was held without a TD pass for the only time in 2011 in the MAC championship game. His ability to run the ball – either out of a designed play, option or scramble is a concern for opposing defenses
Ohio’s top receiver is LaVon Brazil. He ranked fifth (MAC) in receiving yards yards (79.7 ypg) and enjoyed a whopping 15.9 ypc average, second best among receiving leaders. However, the 'Cats have a number of capable receivers and can spread the field in multiple receiver sets.
SENIOR HARDEN CLOSING IN ON 1,000 YARDS
Even prior to Tettleton’s emergence, the Bobcats enjoyed considerable success in recent years. While there is plenty of credit to go around, no small part of the credit goes to running back Donte Harden. The senior avereraged 5.45 ypg this year, gaining 939 yards on 172 carries.
When things are going well for the Bobcats, such as during the five-game winning streak to close the regular season, they are a balanced team that mixes run and pass. It is a frustrating combination for opposing defenses – particularly on third down. Ohio led the MAC in third down conversions, picking up a first on 94 of 194 attempts (48.5 percent)
KELLER FOCUSES DEFENSIVE EFFORT
Senior linebacker Noah Keller is the heart of the Ohio defense. Travis Carrie, a junior, tied for the league lead with four interceptions. OU led the conference with 15 interceptions. However, the Bobcats ranked ninth (MAC) in pass defense.
Carrie was fourth (1.23) and freshman Nate Carpenter eighth among MAC players in passes defended.
A good showing against the run (third MAC, 126.4 ypg) helped Ohio finish fourth among MAC schools in total defense with 355.2 ypg. The Cats were second in scoring defense, allowing 22.1 ppg.
WELLER IS MAC LEADER
Special teams has been a strength of the team in recent times. While it hasn’t quite lived up to some expectations overall, kicker Matt Weller has consistently delivered in what could still be the Bobcats winningest season ever.
Weller converted a MAC-leading 24-of-33 field goals (72.7 percent) and missed just one inside 40 yards all season. Among kickers, he led the league in scoring with an average of 9.0 ppg.
Punter Paul Hershey, meanwhile, averaged 39.5 yards per punt in 2011. He will be looking for a chance to redeem himself after a negative Twitter comment about playing in Boise in December brought him significant scrutiny.
As is the case with many teams later in the year, injuries have taken their toll, and many players are still banged up some. Keller has battled through a series of injuries during the campaign and played in the championship game after injuring his hamstring in the final regular season tilt against Miami. The three-year starter is a key defensive leader and will be very important as Ohio tries to contain Utah State’s running game.
Linebacker Eric Benjamin is out, as is starting guard Jon Lechner, who suffered a knee injury in the MAC title game.
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