Ohio U Bobcats

Head Coach

Frank Solich	4th year
07-08	6-6
MAC	4-4
FCR	72

Previous Season Wins

Head Coach - Frank Solich enters his 4th season as head man and he has taken a program with little recent success and led them to 19 wins, including two MAC championship games. The Bobcats return 15 starters but in the MAC this year everyone bring back a lot of experience.

Quarterback - At quarterback junior Theo Scott returns and and appears to be the starter but junior Boo Jackson will compete for playing time and based on the spring he’ll definitely be an option. Their games are very similar, they but can run a little bit and rely on their efficiency to make the offense go.

Running Backs - When you lose a Kelvin McRae your entire offense will take a step back. No one has yet to emerge and look for a battle between senior Jayson White and sophomore Vince Davidson at tailback. This will be a different type of attack without McRae as the Bobcats, less between the tackle running and hopefully more quickness and big play ability. At fullback junior Mitch Morsillo will start but junior Chris Garrnett will also see action and get carries.

Receivers - On the inside at the Z will be sophomore LaVon Brazill who had 14 for 209 yards last year and was outstanding in spring ball. The leading returning receivers are junior Taylor Price on the outside at the Z and at tight end senior Andrew Mooney, both finished the year with 33 receptions. Mooney has All-MAC talent and is excellent after the catch, when Ohio goes to the two tight end set senior David Carter will be called upon to contribute in pass blocking.

Offensive Line - Upfront a pair of seniors return on the left side in Josh Leuck at left tackle and at left guard Mike Eynon. At center junior David White returns and will handle the line calls, the newcomers will be right tackle junior Chris Rodgers and right guard junior Michael Philbin. This unit had McRae running behind them last year and he made them look good, they’ll need to give this year’s runner more space to run through. The experience is there so they should be solid, but not special.

Defensive Line - Senior Jameson Hartke, and juniors Conor Reilly and Kris Luchsinger all return on the outside. Hartke has the talent to be a constant presence in the opponents’ backfield; Luchsinger had 5 sacks last year and has a big upside. Inside will be at tackle sophomore Ernie Hodge and on the nose senior Jacob Williamson, the duo needs to be much better against the run if Ohio hopes to contend again in the MAC in 08’.

Linebackers - The unit leader will be senior Michael Brown who’ll man the strongside, he’ll be joined by fellow senior Jordan Meyers and junior Lee Renfro on the weakside. Starting in middle will be sophomore Noah Keller. It’s a deep unit with many interchangeable parts, they’re tough, have good quickness and will make plays on a regular basis.

Defensive Backs - Three starters return and in corners senior Mark Parson and sophomore Julian Posey Ohio have possibly the best pair in the conference. At the strong safety senior Michael Mitchell returns, junior Steven Jackson will be at free safety and is the lone newcomer. Parson had 48 tackles and two picks, while Mitchell excels against the run and was 3rd on the team in tackles with 74 and he also had a pair of INT’s.

Special Teams - The placekicking job is a battle between Barrett Way and freshman Matthew Weller, Way is a VMI transfer who has hit 29 of 37 field goals attempt for his career. At punter sophomore Matt Schulte returns, he struggled at times last year but the upside is solid. Chris Garrett, Taylor Price and LaVon Brazill will handle the returns.

Schedule - Much too tough, Wyoming, Ohio St, and Northwestern on the road and it’s still not October. They must find away to run the ball, win the turnover game and keep mental mistakes to a minimum. The mountain is much too high, only 2 wins this season.