Loaded Bobcats intent on grabbing elusive crown
STAFF REPORT
It has been 50 years since the last Ohio University Mid-American Conference football title.
That’s right - a half century!!
It’s hard to believe now, of course, because the Bobcats have enjoyed a successful run since Frank Solich took over as head coach. This is his 14th season at the helm, and OU has traveled to nine bowl games during “Solich Time.”. The ‘Cats have also made it to MAC championship tilts, but they ran into some strong Western Division competition and came up short.
According to the . . .
It has been 50 years since the last Ohio University Mid-American Conference football title.
That’s right - a half century!!
It’s hard to believe now, of course, because the Bobcats have enjoyed a successful run since Frank Solich took over as head coach. This is his 14th season at the helm, and OU has traveled to nine bowl games during “Solich Time.”. The ‘Cats have also made it to MAC championship tilts, but they ran into some strong Western Division competition and came up short.
According to the . . .
. . . preseason MAC Media poll, Ohio is favored to end its drought, not only winning the East, but prevailing in the championship game. Talent - and lots of it -- is the key for OU. However, the Green and White must avoid a Jeckle and Hyde season such as last year when they fell out of the East drivers seat by losing their last two regular season games. That allowed surprising Akron to reach Detroit.
“We know what the MAC is about, and every time you step on the field, you’ve got to get it done,” Solich said. “What we’re striving for is to get in that MAC Championship game and get it won.”
“We know what the MAC is about, and every time you step on the field, you’ve got to get it done,” Solich said. “What we’re striving for is to get in that MAC Championship game and get it won.”
Here’s more on Ohio . . .
Ohio (9-4, 5-3 MAC in 2017)
OFFENSE
The Bobcats were also favorites last year, but they let the East slip away by closing the season with two losses after blasting eventual champ Toledo 38-10 last November. Ohio then bounced back with a 41-6 win over UAB at the Bahamas Bowl. The ‘Cats are talented and no doubt uber-motivated to win their first MAC championship since 1968. However, the Jeckyl and Hyde performances are something that need to disappear.
⚑ Ohio topped the MAC in scoring with a school record average of 39.1 ppg. The key to its successful offensive mix is quarterback Nathan Rourke, who is a dangerous two-way threat. He completed 55.1 percent of his passes, with 17 TDs against seven interceptions. The junior also averaged 6.7 yards per carry while running for 912 yards and 21 touchdowns. No other player in the league had more than 15 TDs.
“I want (Nathan) to have another year like last year,” Solich said. “He’s a very bright young man. He’s going to have a good group of people surrounding him. He’s going to have a very, very good offensive line again (and) I think our receiving corps will probably be the best collection of receivers we’ve had. Our running backs are back, so we should be able to score some points.
Asked about the risks of a quarterback who runs as often as Rourke, Solich said, “You certainly gota play to what your guy’s abilities are, and he is a tremendous runner. … He is tremendously elusive, and can make very explosive plays on the ground, as well as the air.” Quinton Maxwell, also a junior quarterback, is available should the need arise.
⚑ The Bobcats potent ground game is powered by one of the league’s top lines and backfield options that start with seniors A.J. Ouellette and Malek Irons. Seniors Joe Lowery and Joe Anderson were All-MAC selections in 2017 and give the Bobcats are very solid left side.
⚑ As for the passing game, 6-3 sophomore Elijah Ball is a bigger target and joins seniors Papi White and Andrew Meyer among available targets.
Ohio (9-4, 5-3 MAC in 2017)
OFFENSE
The Bobcats were also favorites last year, but they let the East slip away by closing the season with two losses after blasting eventual champ Toledo 38-10 last November. Ohio then bounced back with a 41-6 win over UAB at the Bahamas Bowl. The ‘Cats are talented and no doubt uber-motivated to win their first MAC championship since 1968. However, the Jeckyl and Hyde performances are something that need to disappear.
⚑ Ohio topped the MAC in scoring with a school record average of 39.1 ppg. The key to its successful offensive mix is quarterback Nathan Rourke, who is a dangerous two-way threat. He completed 55.1 percent of his passes, with 17 TDs against seven interceptions. The junior also averaged 6.7 yards per carry while running for 912 yards and 21 touchdowns. No other player in the league had more than 15 TDs.
“I want (Nathan) to have another year like last year,” Solich said. “He’s a very bright young man. He’s going to have a good group of people surrounding him. He’s going to have a very, very good offensive line again (and) I think our receiving corps will probably be the best collection of receivers we’ve had. Our running backs are back, so we should be able to score some points.
Asked about the risks of a quarterback who runs as often as Rourke, Solich said, “You certainly gota play to what your guy’s abilities are, and he is a tremendous runner. … He is tremendously elusive, and can make very explosive plays on the ground, as well as the air.” Quinton Maxwell, also a junior quarterback, is available should the need arise.
⚑ The Bobcats potent ground game is powered by one of the league’s top lines and backfield options that start with seniors A.J. Ouellette and Malek Irons. Seniors Joe Lowery and Joe Anderson were All-MAC selections in 2017 and give the Bobcats are very solid left side.
⚑ As for the passing game, 6-3 sophomore Elijah Ball is a bigger target and joins seniors Papi White and Andrew Meyer among available targets.
DEFENSE
⚑ Defense was at times an issue last year for Ohio, which held off Massachusetts 55-50 early in the year. But the unit also held UAB to six points at the Bahamas Bowl and limited Toledo to 10 points late in the schedule.
With only four starters returning and a potent offense, the defense will face a big challenge in 2018.
Not only has the entire front line departed, the linebacking unit is now without Quentin Poling (First Team All-MAC, 107 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2017) and Chad Moore.
There is experience in the secondary, where junior safety Javon Hagan returns to lead that unit.
MISC:
⚑ Special teams was a big plus last year, and should continue to shine this time around. Junior kicker Louie Zervos connected on a conference best 83.3 percent of his boots. Michael Farkas is solid in the punting game and there are several good returnees for punts and kickoffs.
⚑ Ohio’s schedule is very challenging, if not daunting, with trips to Virginia and Cincinnati and home tilts against Howard and Massachusetts before opening MAC play at Kent State.
Two of the tougher road games in conference play will be at Northern Illinois and Miami (OH). The Battle of the Bricks on Nov. 7 is already a rivalry. This year it could decide a MAC East crown.
⚑ Defense was at times an issue last year for Ohio, which held off Massachusetts 55-50 early in the year. But the unit also held UAB to six points at the Bahamas Bowl and limited Toledo to 10 points late in the schedule.
With only four starters returning and a potent offense, the defense will face a big challenge in 2018.
Not only has the entire front line departed, the linebacking unit is now without Quentin Poling (First Team All-MAC, 107 tackles and 5.5 sacks in 2017) and Chad Moore.
There is experience in the secondary, where junior safety Javon Hagan returns to lead that unit.
MISC:
⚑ Special teams was a big plus last year, and should continue to shine this time around. Junior kicker Louie Zervos connected on a conference best 83.3 percent of his boots. Michael Farkas is solid in the punting game and there are several good returnees for punts and kickoffs.
⚑ Ohio’s schedule is very challenging, if not daunting, with trips to Virginia and Cincinnati and home tilts against Howard and Massachusetts before opening MAC play at Kent State.
Two of the tougher road games in conference play will be at Northern Illinois and Miami (OH). The Battle of the Bricks on Nov. 7 is already a rivalry. This year it could decide a MAC East crown.
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