The Bobcats practiced Wednesday morning for the ninth time during fall camp. It was conducted in periods outside at Peden Stadium, with a total of 26 periods over two hours and 20 minutes. It was the fifth day with full pads. Here are The Post’s observations:
ATTENDANCE:
Absent: Elijah Ball (season-ending injury), Tyler Tupa (leg), Griffin Hites (leg), Austin Conrad (foot), De’Vante Mitchell (undisclosed), Zach Burks (undisclosed), Javon Hagan (non-football illness), Juan Watkins (arm), Keevon Harris (undisclosed).
Injured: Darfnell Gouin (leg).
Limited: Mason Bernhardt (undisclosed), Dante Ruozzo (undisclosed).
Returned: Austen Pleasants, Brian Arp and Hagen Meservy.
Notes
- After sitting out practice yesterday, Pleasants and Arp both returned to the field. Meservy went through his first day of full pads this week.
- In a 7-on-7 drill, Gouin looked to roll his ankle and knee and never returned to practice. With Ball done for the season and Tupa not getting on the field soon, the wide receivers can’t afford injuries.
- Javon Hagan sat out practice for the second straight day due to illness. He held a bottle of water close to him all day with a towel hanging over his head.
OBSERVATIONS:
Sights and Sounds
- The only scout at practice Wednesday was from the Atlanta Falcons. Former tight end Troy Mangen is currently in camp with the Falcons.
- The Bobcats are hoping to put the Jolly Roger flag that the Mid-American Conference provided to every team in the league on top of one of the towers and fire a cannon before it’s hoisted.
- Sook Center update: All of the cement on the bottom floor of the academic center has been placed and moved around. It looks nice, and it's a great touch to the stadium.
Passing Offense
- After having two back-to-back strong practices, Nathan Rourke saw very minimal work in team periods Wednesday. It was a chance to give his arm a break before the scrimmage Friday. The coaching staff is also taking account he’s rebounding from surgery.
- Throughout a combined five periods of team and 7-on-7 drills among first and second teamers, Rourke attempted just one pass. It was a screen to Maleek Irons in a full-contact team period.
- With the minimal passing from Rourke, backup Quinton Maxwell took almost all snaps with the first team.
- He was 11 of 20 in team drills and saw time with the most experienced wide receivers. Maxwell completed passes to Papi White (three), Ryan Luehrman and Markel Davis (two each), Andrew Meyer, Hunter Edwards, A.J. Ouellette, Bryan Long and DL Knock (one each).
- Cam Odom, Meyer and Ouellette each had drops.
- The best play of the day from Maxwell came in the last team period on a flea flicker executed perfectly. A quick flick back to Maxwell and he found Meyer streaking up the middle. Nobody touched Meyer as he strolled into the end zone.
- Drew Keszei backed Maxwell up in 7-on-7 and some team drills. He was 9 of 13 with an interception.
Offensive line
- When Pleasants sat out of practice yesterday it came clear that the one true depth question for the offensive line sits at tackle. Joe Anderson and Pleasants are reliable, but coach Bart Miller will need to identify someone to back either one up if injuries come into play. Top choices could be Nick Sink, Samson Jackson and Felipe Fernandez.
- The only question headed into camp was center, but that’s been answered with the amount of reps players have taken. Brett Kitrel will be the starter and Steven Hayes will be the backup.
- Papi White had a great reverse run, which should be credited to a great block from Pleasants.
Defensive notes
- Keszei was intercepted in 7-on-7 drills by Jalen Fox, who quickly took the turnover belt away from Hagan on the sidelines.
- Tariq Drake had one of the only true break-ups on the day, which ended the first 7-on-7 period.
- Evan Croutch continues to show he's capable of being the vocal leader of the front seven. Multiple times Wednesday, he identified a potential direction of a run.
- Maxwell and Sam McKnight exchanged words when McKnight held on to Maxwell instead of sacking him because of his non-contact jersey.
Special teams
- The Bobcats went through punt return and kick return drills today. Here are the players that are in the mix: Julian Ross, Odom, Kylan Nelson, Knock, White and David Burroughs.
- Look for Meyer, Nelson, Ross and Odom to return a lot at the beginning of the season, but as the season goes on and fatigue catches up the backups start to return more.
NEXT UP:
The Bobcats return to practice Thursday at 8:40 a.m. at Peden Stadium. The practice is open to the public. Expect Ohio to practice with no pads tomorrow leading up to the first scrimmage of camp Friday.
