Forgive Kris Luchsinger for entering tomorrow's game against Northwestern a little upset.
After another tough loss, in which his defensive unit allowed 431 yards to Central Michigan, the defensive end said the Bobcats are ready to prove a point.
We're definitely going in with a chip on our shoulder
Luchsinger said. No one in the country would ever like to be 0-3.We're going to try to frustrate them and hit them in the mouth. We're going to play hard every down.
Unfortunately for the Bobcats, the Wildcats run an offensive scheme similar to that of the Chippewas. Last season Northwestern led the Big Ten in total offense, averaging 427.7 yards per game.
Coach Frank Solich said his team will use a similar defense against the Wildcats.
Part of that is good in that we'll have some carryover Solich said. Part of that is that they will know exactly what we will be doing in some cases. It will just be a matter of talent-on-talent.
Whether the strategy is effective remains to be seen, but linebacker Noah Keller said many of Central Michigan's big plays had to do with miscues on defense.
They had seven plays where 200 of their 400 yards came from Keller said. Those were all screw-ups on our part. If we take those
it would have been a different story.
One concern Solich pointed to was the defense's inability to force turnovers. While Ohio has committed nine turnovers, they have forced only three.
It's a little concerning that we haven't produced more turnovers
Solich said. It will be a key in this ball game to get a few interceptions or a couple of fumbles recovered to get us on track to producing turnovers.
On the season, Northwestern has given the ball away twice and Keller said that Ohio has been working this week in practice on stripping the football and being in better position to get interceptions.
One difference between the Chippewas and the Wildcats is the primary player in each team's offense.
Unlike Central Michigan, which relies primarily on quarterback Dan LeFevour, Northwestern focuses on giving the ball to running back Tyrell Sutton.
Over his career, the senior has amassed 3,307 rushing yards, including 311 this season.
He's hard to bring down whether it's making you miss or running over you with his strength
defensive coordinator Jimmy Burrow said. It will probably be the biggest challenge up to this time as far as the run because they are so focused on getting him the ball.
Ohio allowed the Chippewas to convert on half of their third down attempts, and Keller said the game will hinge on the Bobcats' ability to force the Wildcats to as many three-and-outs as possible.
We have good enough depth that we can be a good team
he said. When you start giving up long drives come the fourth quarter
your defense is worn out.
We've been falling apart in the fourth quarter a lot, he added.
,",17,Archives,Steve Gartner,200809198716midsize.jpeg,Junior tailback Chris Garrett runs the ball during the Bobcats' 31-28 loss to Central Michigan last Saturday at Peden Stadium. Ohio heads into tomorrow's game against Northwestern with a record of 0-3.,",",",","
25732,2008-09-19 02:00:00,Football: Ohio faces matchup of 'talent-on-talent',",Forgive Kris Luchsinger for entering tomorrow's game against Northwestern a little upset.
After another tough loss
in which his defensive unit allowed 431 yards to Central Michigan
the defensive end said the Bobcats are ready to prove a point.
We're definitely going in with a chip on our shoulder, Luchsinger said. No one in the country would ever like to be 0-3.We're going to try to frustrate them and hit them in the mouth. We're going to play hard every down.
Unfortunately for the Bobcats
the Wildcats run an offensive scheme similar to that of the Chippewas. Last season Northwestern led the Big Ten in total offense
