Offensive Strengths
In a very disappointing season, the offensive line was a rare bright spot for Ohio football in 2001. Doug Wooten (6?1?? 295) & Brian Brown ((6?2?? 282) return after paving the way for the Bobcats to rush for 240-yards per game last fall. Brown is the strongest player and on the team and a true warrior in the weight room. Chris Jackson (6?3?? 280), David Williams (6?4?? 275), Erik Grahovac (6?3?? 278) and third generation Bobcat, Dennis Thompson (6?2?? 295), all played quite a bit in 2001 and provides OU with some quality linemen up front for this option team. Ohio has use fullbacks more than most schools in the country and have two good ones in Joe Sherrill (6?0?? 240) & Ray Huston (6?1?? 205). These two combined for nine TDs last year. Believe it or not, Ohio has some surprisingly good WRs, although they are rarely used. Joe Mohler (6?3?? 187) is the MAC?s best blocking WR, but is also a quality wideout. Jason Caesar is small (5?7?? 160), but an electrifying playmaker. Stafford Owens (5?8?? 192) can play a variety of positions well while Justin Halada (6?1?? 209) is the possession receiver with the team?s best hands.
Offensive Concerns
Where do I begin? Anytime you are a one-dimensional team, stopping their main offensive weapon can usually kill the entire offensive all together. Ohio averaged 26-points per game during their first six outings in 2001, but only 8-points per game during their final five contests. OU graduated three starters and graduated possibly their best ?team? player in TE Chris Knaak. Replacing Knaak will be Randy Pennington (6?3?? 250) and blocking TE Derek Gandy (6?3?? 275). The biggest concern for the Bobcats is replacing their best player, Chad Brinker. The 5?11?? 215 pound running back was one of the top TBs in the MAC. Brinker suffered an arachnoid cyst that had to be removed by neurosurgery. Although this was not life threatening, it is unclear if Brinker will ever play football again. Dion Byrum (5?11?? 176) is tremendous runner and will be used this year, but has no college experience. At quarterback, Dontrell Jackson returns (5?10?? 170) returns to run ?the bone? and although he is a gifted athlete, he is a lousy passer. OU averaged only 75-yards per game through the air and passed for only 5 TDs in 2001. Freddie Ray is also expected to play and is bigger (6?2?? 188) than Jackson, but neither is the answer to get this offense moving better than their 18-point per game output last fall.
Defensive Strengths
Ohio has a good group of DBs to build a defense around. Bop White (6?0?? 179) was the team?s leading tackler, returns and is the team?s best cover corner. He has 11 career INTs and 27 pass breakups. He is assisted by Chip Cox (6?0?? 183), Thomas Stephens (6?0?? 175) & Jonah Booker (5?8?? 170). Joe Sellers makes the move from FS to SS, where the (5?10?? 195) experienced DB can make more plays as the team?s best hitter. James Taylor (6?0?? 185) was moved last year from WR to DB, should be better after struggling at times in his new position. Bo Lebherz (6?0?? 205) comes from the JUCO ranks to provide experienced depth. Rob Stover, and all-Ohio high school prospect, was a preferred walk-on at Ohio State, has now joined the Bobcats as a LB. At 6?1?? 215, the coaches are excited about his talents and look for big contributions from him this fall.
Defensive Concerns
During the 2000 season, Ohio did not give up more than 29-points during a single game. In 2001, the Bobcat defense gave up an average of 29-points per game! Ohio must replace eight starters on defense (that may not be such a bad thing given their performance in 2001), their entire starting LB corps, most of their defensive linemen, and lack overall depth in the secondary. That was a mouthful. Truth be told, OU gave up 201-yards per game on the ground, 244 through the air, and total yards per game of 445. New defensive coordinator, Tim DeRuyter, returns to Athens to shore up this side of the ball. DeRuyter had tremendous success previously at Ohio under former Coach Jim Grobe implementing the "50" defense. Lamar Martin (6?3?? 286) is the lone defensive line starter returning. He will assisted by Eli Keiner (6?0?? 282), Keith Adamson (6?3?? 245), Kevin Carberry (6?4?? 240), Andre Parker (6?1?? 280), Lee Sienicki (6?3?? 280), Garrett Bush (6?4?? 273) & Chris Collins (6?5?? 255). Replacing the entire LB corps will be more difficult now that talented Demetri Taylor (6?5?? 220) has been discovered to have a cardiac condition that may cause him not to play football. Look for Hugh Grant (6?3?? 210), Rashad Butler (6?0?? 190), Dennis Chukwuemeka (5?11?? 232) & Rich Constantine (5?9?? 228) to be in there with Rob Stover.
Special Teams
Kevin Kerr returns for the fourth straight year as the Bobcat place kicker. Equiped with one of the strongest legs in the conference, Kerr has 4 FGs of 50-yards of more, but struggled in 2001 going 7-12 on his attempts. OU must replace one of the best punters in college football history. David Zastudil has moved on to the NFL and currently Matt Miller and Kevin Kerr are listed as the punter. Ohio ranked at near the bottom of the MAC in both kickoff and punt returns. A once proud special teams unit has gone astray under Coach Knorr.
Overview
Last year was supposed to be the year Ohio University challenged Marshall for the MAX East title. Most experts, including yours truly, picked the Bobcats 2nd. With a new head coach in Brian Knorr but the same option attack and a veteran defense, optimism was extremely high in Athens. Add to that a beautifully refurbished and expanded stadium and hone contests with Iowa State and Toledo, Bobcat cans were looking for a season to remember. They will remember it all right, but for many different reasons. Ohio dropped a 31-29 heartbreaker at Akron to begin the season and never really recovered. Ohio blew the games against Iowa State & Toledo and the tailspin continued. Aside from a win at Central Michigan, Ohio dropped ten of eleven games. This included losing at home to Kent State on a 99-yard fumble return for a TD late in that game that sealed the Golden Flash win, and added total insult to injury with a 44-0 shellacking loss at Buffalo. In the end, players gave up, injuries mounted, and a season full of promise became a nightmare. Ohio did not win a single game in their newly renovated stadium. There is talent with this team, but adding UCF and consider that most of the MAC will be improved and the 2002 season may be another long year for the OU faithful. My big problem is that I don?t know that these players will play for the current coach. Jim Grobe was a great motivator, recruiter, and game day coach. The same cannot be said for Brian Knorr after his first year of inheriting a quality football team. I expect more than one win this year, but a lower level finish in the MAC East is almost inevitable.
Schedule
The Bobcats have two easy OOC games with U-Conn & Northeastern, a difficult contest at Pitt, and a suicide game at Florida. Crossover games are at BG and at home with EMU. That?s not bad. Within the East, Ohio Akron and Marshall at home, but travels to UCF, Miami and Kent State. Overall, this is a tough schedule for a team that went 1-10 last year.
Omar?s View = 4-8; wins against Northeastern, @U-Conn, Buffalo & EMU; losses @Pitt, @Florida, @BG, @Kent State, @Miami, Akron, Marshall & @UCF.
BOLD PREDICTION The Florida game will be the ugliest in the MAC this year, even without Steve Spurrier on the Gator sidelines.
Pivotal Game:
Northeastern (9/7/02): After losing every home game (5) in the newly remolded Peden Stadium in 2001, the Bobcats need to beat someone at home. This I-AA patsy should serve as a nice morsel to gain confidence on before the Bobcats are sent to the "swamp" for a slaughter.
In a very disappointing season, the offensive line was a rare bright spot for Ohio football in 2001. Doug Wooten (6?1?? 295) & Brian Brown ((6?2?? 282) return after paving the way for the Bobcats to rush for 240-yards per game last fall. Brown is the strongest player and on the team and a true warrior in the weight room. Chris Jackson (6?3?? 280), David Williams (6?4?? 275), Erik Grahovac (6?3?? 278) and third generation Bobcat, Dennis Thompson (6?2?? 295), all played quite a bit in 2001 and provides OU with some quality linemen up front for this option team. Ohio has use fullbacks more than most schools in the country and have two good ones in Joe Sherrill (6?0?? 240) & Ray Huston (6?1?? 205). These two combined for nine TDs last year. Believe it or not, Ohio has some surprisingly good WRs, although they are rarely used. Joe Mohler (6?3?? 187) is the MAC?s best blocking WR, but is also a quality wideout. Jason Caesar is small (5?7?? 160), but an electrifying playmaker. Stafford Owens (5?8?? 192) can play a variety of positions well while Justin Halada (6?1?? 209) is the possession receiver with the team?s best hands.
Offensive Concerns
Where do I begin? Anytime you are a one-dimensional team, stopping their main offensive weapon can usually kill the entire offensive all together. Ohio averaged 26-points per game during their first six outings in 2001, but only 8-points per game during their final five contests. OU graduated three starters and graduated possibly their best ?team? player in TE Chris Knaak. Replacing Knaak will be Randy Pennington (6?3?? 250) and blocking TE Derek Gandy (6?3?? 275). The biggest concern for the Bobcats is replacing their best player, Chad Brinker. The 5?11?? 215 pound running back was one of the top TBs in the MAC. Brinker suffered an arachnoid cyst that had to be removed by neurosurgery. Although this was not life threatening, it is unclear if Brinker will ever play football again. Dion Byrum (5?11?? 176) is tremendous runner and will be used this year, but has no college experience. At quarterback, Dontrell Jackson returns (5?10?? 170) returns to run ?the bone? and although he is a gifted athlete, he is a lousy passer. OU averaged only 75-yards per game through the air and passed for only 5 TDs in 2001. Freddie Ray is also expected to play and is bigger (6?2?? 188) than Jackson, but neither is the answer to get this offense moving better than their 18-point per game output last fall.
Defensive Strengths
Ohio has a good group of DBs to build a defense around. Bop White (6?0?? 179) was the team?s leading tackler, returns and is the team?s best cover corner. He has 11 career INTs and 27 pass breakups. He is assisted by Chip Cox (6?0?? 183), Thomas Stephens (6?0?? 175) & Jonah Booker (5?8?? 170). Joe Sellers makes the move from FS to SS, where the (5?10?? 195) experienced DB can make more plays as the team?s best hitter. James Taylor (6?0?? 185) was moved last year from WR to DB, should be better after struggling at times in his new position. Bo Lebherz (6?0?? 205) comes from the JUCO ranks to provide experienced depth. Rob Stover, and all-Ohio high school prospect, was a preferred walk-on at Ohio State, has now joined the Bobcats as a LB. At 6?1?? 215, the coaches are excited about his talents and look for big contributions from him this fall.
Defensive Concerns
During the 2000 season, Ohio did not give up more than 29-points during a single game. In 2001, the Bobcat defense gave up an average of 29-points per game! Ohio must replace eight starters on defense (that may not be such a bad thing given their performance in 2001), their entire starting LB corps, most of their defensive linemen, and lack overall depth in the secondary. That was a mouthful. Truth be told, OU gave up 201-yards per game on the ground, 244 through the air, and total yards per game of 445. New defensive coordinator, Tim DeRuyter, returns to Athens to shore up this side of the ball. DeRuyter had tremendous success previously at Ohio under former Coach Jim Grobe implementing the "50" defense. Lamar Martin (6?3?? 286) is the lone defensive line starter returning. He will assisted by Eli Keiner (6?0?? 282), Keith Adamson (6?3?? 245), Kevin Carberry (6?4?? 240), Andre Parker (6?1?? 280), Lee Sienicki (6?3?? 280), Garrett Bush (6?4?? 273) & Chris Collins (6?5?? 255). Replacing the entire LB corps will be more difficult now that talented Demetri Taylor (6?5?? 220) has been discovered to have a cardiac condition that may cause him not to play football. Look for Hugh Grant (6?3?? 210), Rashad Butler (6?0?? 190), Dennis Chukwuemeka (5?11?? 232) & Rich Constantine (5?9?? 228) to be in there with Rob Stover.
Special Teams
Kevin Kerr returns for the fourth straight year as the Bobcat place kicker. Equiped with one of the strongest legs in the conference, Kerr has 4 FGs of 50-yards of more, but struggled in 2001 going 7-12 on his attempts. OU must replace one of the best punters in college football history. David Zastudil has moved on to the NFL and currently Matt Miller and Kevin Kerr are listed as the punter. Ohio ranked at near the bottom of the MAC in both kickoff and punt returns. A once proud special teams unit has gone astray under Coach Knorr.
Overview
Last year was supposed to be the year Ohio University challenged Marshall for the MAX East title. Most experts, including yours truly, picked the Bobcats 2nd. With a new head coach in Brian Knorr but the same option attack and a veteran defense, optimism was extremely high in Athens. Add to that a beautifully refurbished and expanded stadium and hone contests with Iowa State and Toledo, Bobcat cans were looking for a season to remember. They will remember it all right, but for many different reasons. Ohio dropped a 31-29 heartbreaker at Akron to begin the season and never really recovered. Ohio blew the games against Iowa State & Toledo and the tailspin continued. Aside from a win at Central Michigan, Ohio dropped ten of eleven games. This included losing at home to Kent State on a 99-yard fumble return for a TD late in that game that sealed the Golden Flash win, and added total insult to injury with a 44-0 shellacking loss at Buffalo. In the end, players gave up, injuries mounted, and a season full of promise became a nightmare. Ohio did not win a single game in their newly renovated stadium. There is talent with this team, but adding UCF and consider that most of the MAC will be improved and the 2002 season may be another long year for the OU faithful. My big problem is that I don?t know that these players will play for the current coach. Jim Grobe was a great motivator, recruiter, and game day coach. The same cannot be said for Brian Knorr after his first year of inheriting a quality football team. I expect more than one win this year, but a lower level finish in the MAC East is almost inevitable.
Schedule
The Bobcats have two easy OOC games with U-Conn & Northeastern, a difficult contest at Pitt, and a suicide game at Florida. Crossover games are at BG and at home with EMU. That?s not bad. Within the East, Ohio Akron and Marshall at home, but travels to UCF, Miami and Kent State. Overall, this is a tough schedule for a team that went 1-10 last year.
Omar?s View = 4-8; wins against Northeastern, @U-Conn, Buffalo & EMU; losses @Pitt, @Florida, @BG, @Kent State, @Miami, Akron, Marshall & @UCF.
BOLD PREDICTION The Florida game will be the ugliest in the MAC this year, even without Steve Spurrier on the Gator sidelines.
Pivotal Game:
Northeastern (9/7/02): After losing every home game (5) in the newly remolded Peden Stadium in 2001, the Bobcats need to beat someone at home. This I-AA patsy should serve as a nice morsel to gain confidence on before the Bobcats are sent to the "swamp" for a slaughter.
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