Ohio's most productive running back in the spring game on Saturday isn't even on the team's 105-man roster.
Walk-on Devin Favors led the Bobcats with 42 yards on six carries and also scored one of the team's two touchdowns.
But Favors said he knew entering the game that he wasn't going to make the cut because Ohio already returns all four of its running backs.
I already talked to Coach
Favors said of his roster status. Coming in I had a feeling. I just wanted to come in and see what I could do.
Favors certainly showed he could compete at the Division I level. He had a number of long runs up the middle, including a 4-yard scamper into the end zone.
Favors, a rising junior, said he was originally recruited by the Bobcats out of Lakota West High School near Cincinnati. But he chose to go to Grand Valley State, a Division II school.
It didn't work out there, so now he's back at Ohio where he will rejoin the team as a member of the 120-man roster in the fall.
We don't get that many reps in practice and I just try to take advantage of the ones I get Favors said. I just run
and I have pretty good vision.
The other top rusher for the Bobcats was Vince Davidson, who had nine carries for 25 yards and a one-yard touchdown.
Last season's starting running back, Donte Harden, is still recovering from shoulder surgery and didn't compete in the spring. Running back L.J. Flintall also didn't play in the game due to injury.
The spirit of competition
Another season will bring another quarterback competition for the Bobcats. Although Theo Scott and Boo Jackson both knew nothing would be decided this spring in the race for the starting job next fall, both quarterbacks said they found the spring duel spirited.
It motivates me
Scott said. As a natural competitor like myself
it's always good to compete. We're going to continue it into the fall
but I liked it.
Jackson also said he enjoyed it just like he did last season.
I didn't want to come here and be handed a spot
Jackson said. That doesn't push me. The more competition that comes is better for our team.
Both quarterbacks also said they thought the receivers stepped up their play to a new level in the spring. With players like Taylor Price and Steven Goulet injured, a number of younger receivers gained additional experience.
All the guys that are coming back showed what they can do
Scott said. Nobody really made a big jump because I already know what they can do.
Jackson said he saw wide receiver Robert Mercer make a great jump this spring.
You don't hear a lot about him
but there were a couple of practices where he made some big catches
Jackson said. To me coming from last season to this season he's one of our receivers who has made big improvements.
