Barring an injury, it appeared that defensive end Jameson Hartke would easily become the leading sack artist in Bobcat history.
After a brilliant sophomore campaign in which he racked up 7.5 sacks (fifth all-time for one season) and 13 tackles for a loss, Hartke sat at seventh place on the Bobcats' all-time sack list with 11.5. He needed just 7.5 sacks in his next two seasons to tie Andre Jackson's school record of 19.
But last season, opposing offenses keyed in on Hartke and his production dropped dramatically. He had two sacks ' a career low ' and had just 5.5 tackles for a loss.
The Centerville native currently sits at fifth place on the all-time sack list with 13.5, and is in need of another monster season, similar to his sophomore campaign, if he hopes to break the record.
It would be nice (to break the sack record)
Hartke said. I think it would mean a lot. I would like to walk out of here with that type of record but at the same time I won't feel cheated if I don't.
Making things even worse for Hartke was that defensive line coach Carl Pelini bolted for Nebraska to join his brother Bo's staff after the 2007 season. Hartke is now going to have to learn a whole new system in his final year as a Bobcat.
Ohio brought in former Colorado State defensive coordinator Steve Stanard to take Pelini's place. Hartke said that Stanard has a different approach than some of his other coaches, but it is one that he enjoys.
He actively coaches Hartke said. He's not a yeller. Don't get me wrong
he'll discipline you and get in your face
but at the same time he's a great coach.
He knows what he's talking about, and he's going to make you do it the right way and do it that way every time.
As for the transition
Stanard said that he has been impressed with how Hartke has handled the change in defensive philosophy.
He's bought into it fast, Stanard said. Sometimes when you do things a little bit different and you're going into your senior or junior year, some habits are hard to break, and he hasn't had any problem with it. He's jumped right in.
Hartke isn't the only person on the defensive line who has impressed Stanard so far this spring.
Although the defensive line has been hit hard by injuries already this spring
it is also very deep with talent.
Junior Kris Luchsinger (Dublin
Ohio) is coming off an impressive sophomore season
in which he racked up 5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss and junior Conor Reilly (Hudson
Ohio) is also coming off a solid season.
The depth doesn't end there
though. Sophomores Stafford Gatling (Burlington
