Quarterback Ryan Hawk stood under center at practice Tuesday, barking out play calls above a loud rumble that made it difficult for even his teammates to hear.
No, Ohio football practice had not suddenly become Athens' most popular attraction as the team prepared for Saturday's final non-conference game at Kentucky. A blower positioned behind the offense's huddle created the racket, intended to simulate the sounds visiting teams endure at the Wildcats' Commonwealth Stadium, with its seating capacity of 67,606.
We're trying to imitate the noise as much as we can
Hawk said. We know there's a potential for it to be pretty loud so that's there to annoy us and to make us ready for the game.
Simulation efforts did not end there. The Bobcats spent Monday on their natural grass practice field, rather than the FieldTurf of Peden Stadium, in anticipation for Kentucky's grass field. They also incorporated blue practice dummies, matching the Wildcats' team colors.
All of this on the eve of an opportunity for Ohio (2-2, 1-1 Mid-American Conference) to claim its first win against a Bowl Championship Series opponent since defeating Minnesota 23-17 four years ago.
A lot of the teams in our conference that have elevated themselves have beat BCS-conference teams Ohio coach Brian Knorr said. Back in 2000 when we beat Minnesota
that really helped our program
so to be able to do something like that would certainly propel us on to an awfully good season.
The game marks a rematch of an Oct. 18, 2003 Wildcat victory in Lexington. Last season, the Bobcats matched Kentucky (1-2, 0-1 Southeastern Conference) for a half before falling 35-14 to a team fueled by a career day from backup quarterback Shane Boyd.
Ohio enters the game this season with one of the MAC's top-rated defenses but with starting safeties Rob Stover and Chip Cox likely out or limited due to injury. Cox suffered a separated shoulder two weeks ago at Miami, while Stover sustained a sprained MCL Saturday against Buffalo.
Knorr said Rashad Butler and Rahman Shavers, also seniors, will fill the vacant starting spots in the secondary if Cox and Stover are unavailable.
It's certainly a commodity having two seniors on the second team
he said. I have a lot of confidence in both of the m.
Offensively, Ohio will be pitted against a defense that returns all but two starters from a season ago. Led by defensive end Sweet Pea Burns, a candidate for the Lombardi Award given to the nation's top lineman/linebacker, Kentucky's defense limited No. 16 Florida to 20 points last Saturday.
They're definitely strong up front
Hawk said. They have a great D-line and one of the best ends we'll face all season.
Despite having SEC opponents Florida and Alabama preceding and following Ohio on their schedule, respectively, the Wildcats are taking the Bobcats very seriously, especially after last season's game, Burns said.
In any sport if you overlook someone
that's when you get beat
he said. I look at each opponent as the most important that week. We haven't even talked about Alabama yet.
Ohio takes on Kentucky at 7 p.m. Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky.
Injury Update
Knorr said Cox (separated shoulder) and Stover (sprained MCL) were very questionable for Saturday's game against Kentucky. Both practiced sparingly Wednesday. Linebackers Dennis Chukwuemeka (shoulder) and Ricky Cherry (foot sprain) practiced Wednesday and should play against the Wildcats.
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