Ohio players and fans alike are well aware of what transpired the last time that the Bobcats played a Friday night game on ESPN2, and they are hoping history repeats itself.
Like their game against Pittsburgh, when Ohio takes on Toledo tonight, fans and viewers across the country will be focused on coach Frank Solich and his Bobcats, waiting to see if they can work their magic at Peden Stadium one more time.
It should be a great atmosphere
Solich said. I think we've had a great response from students and people in the community in terms of being part of our home games. We're going to need all the help we can get. They're an excellent football team.
The challenge Ohio faces is once again formidable. Toledo, in the midst of its 12th consecutive winning season, sits atop the Mid-American Conference West Division, just the place they were predicted to be in. Their offense, led by quarterback Bruce Gradkowski, is ranked 13th in the country in scoring, and the Rocket defense is the best in the MAC.
Our guys are playing very hard and they're mixing things up Toledo coach Tom Amstutz said of his defense. We just have some new energy there and some experienced players back.
Not many could have foreseen the Bobcats' situation of being tied with three other teams for first in the East Division, but a win over Toledo would help Ohio's cause tremendously.
Every game is a big game right now
linebacker Tyler Russ said, and we're glad to be where we are; we've worked hard to get there. (The Rockets) are on top too
so it'll be a good fight.
We just kind of looked around and found ourselves where we're at
Solich said. I'm not sure how we got to this point. I think normally there haven't been many seasons where this has been the case - where's there's been about four teams tied for first with a 3-2 record in the conference - but that's what it is. It's certainly an opportunity for us and everybody else that's in this position. We want to try and take advantage of it.
That will not be an easy task given the kind of team Amstutz has put together, and Solich is well aware of what his team will be up against.
I think Toledo is an excellent football team
he said. They're very athletic. They have excellent team speed. They're a physical football team. You turn on tape
and you don't see weaknesses in any of the areas. They're about as complete a football team that we'll play.
