For once this season the Ohio Bobcat defense will have to focus primarily on defending the running game.
Central Michigan running back Ontario Sneed leads the team in rushing, averaging 5.6 yards per carry for a total of 652 yards this season. Sneed also ranks first on the team in receptions with 25 and touchdowns with seven.
I think he's a very good running back
and for a freshman he's doing an exceptional job Ohio coach Frank Solich said. He's got good quickness. He's a tough kid. I think he fits very well into what they're trying to do.
Sneed's rushing average of 108.7 yards per game ranks third in the Mid-American Conference and 16th in the nation, third among freshmen nationally.
They have a good running back
Ohio linebacker Matt Muncy said. He's a true freshman
and he's going to be one of the best running backs we've seen so far.
Central Michigan quarterback Kent Smith will also serve as a running threat for the Ohio defense.
(Smith) can run so they have a quarterback that is extremely mobile
Solich said. He's about a 60-percent thrower so he's getting it done on both ends for (Central Michigan). They'll run out of two backs at times. They'll run the option or the shovel pass. They try to utilize his running ability in a lot of ways in what they're doing offensively.
It's pretty tough because (Smith) is able to run too
Muncy said. This guy
he seems like he looks to run a little bit more than any of the other guys we've faced so far
so it's going to be a challenge to be able to shut him down along with a good running back they have.
Although the Chippewas' offense focuses on running, Solich thinks Ohio should not forget the passing threat.
When you have an excellent running game
you have passes set up
and big-play type of passes that are set up
