Nearly eight months have passed since the installation of Phil Earley as offensive coordinator for the Ohio football team, and still the only thing the media can talk about is his one-back offense.
The new system was the focus of attention during Ohio football media and picture day at Peden Stadium on Friday, much as it was a week before at the Mid-American Conference football media day in Detroit.
Even defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter couldn't escape questions about the Bobcats' first new system since 1994. When asked for his reaction to the new offense, DeRuyter said he was the happiest guy in Division I coaching.
We've got an offense that really mirrors up to a lot of things that we'll see this fall
he said. I loved when we were running the triple-option -it's a very unique offense -but it was tough for us to simulate (during the week) what we were going to see on Saturdays.
The new offense has brought about some optimism within Ohio's fan community, especially with the potential of more catches for wide receivers Anthony Hackett and Scott Mayle, who last season became the first Bobcats duo in more than a decade to both record more than 100 receiving yards in the same game.
Earley, however, dashed any thoughts of Ohio using four or five wide receivers on every down.
We are going to spread the field he said. That doesn't mean we're going to throw every down. We're going to run the ball and throw the ball. We're going to use a lot of different sets.
Ideally, the offense will split the number of rushing plays and passing plays 50-50, using just one back, as opposed to the two or three often used in the triple option, Earley said.
Back on track
During Ohio's 35-14 loss at Kentucky last Oct. 18, outside linebacker Tyler Russ suffered a debilitating knee injury that ended his season and could have ended his career. Following a successful surgery and rehabilitation, though, Russ is ahead of schedule, and has been practicing with the team since mid-May.
I got cleared about two months early Russ said. I've been doing everything with the team and feeling great. I can't complain. I couldn't feel any better.
Russ, who recorded 51 tackles in seven games as a redshirt freshman last season, has been practicing without a knee brace for much of that time and said his knee has returned to full mobility.
The Bobcats return to Lexington, Ky., Oct. 2 for another meeting with the Wildcats, and, while he said the game will certainly be circled on the calendar, there will be no feelings of animosity, Russ said.
"I don't have hard feelings, he said. It's football; it happens. That's all I'll say about that.
