said coach Frank Solich. We have good players in the program
and guys believe in themselves and are able to step in and make plays. The Bobcat depth chart has undergone major structural changes since it was first released.
Multiple players are out for the season, and more have missed action here and there. But even with all the injuries, Ohio finds itself atop the Mid-American Conference East Division.
I think our depth is being tested right now with the number of guys out said coach Frank Solich. We have good players in the program
and guys believe in themselves and are able to step in and make plays.
The offensive line has two new starters, left guard A.J. Strum and right tackle Joe Flading. The two took over against Tennessee and have been in the lineup since.
At receiver, Riley Dunlop (shoulder) will miss the rest of the season, meaning a greater role for redshirt juniors Terrence McCrae and Steven Goulet.
The running backs have been hampered by minor injuries, which have forced three different backs to get the majority of the carries in each of the last three games. In consecutive weeks, senior Chris Garrett (ankle), junior Vince Davidson and redshirt sophomore Donte Harden have alternated as the feature back.
Linebacker Errik Ejike (leg) has missed the past two games. In his absence, the Bobcats have played a lot of nickel on defense, with cornerback Shannon Ballard getting the majority of the snaps.
The defensive line was shaken up in Akron as defensive end Kris Luchsinger (knee) was lost for the season. Redshirt junior Stafford Gatling has taken over starting duties for Luchsinger.
Following the game against Miami (0-7, 0-3 MAC), Solich announced that senior safety Steven Jackson (unknown) would miss the remainder of the season because of injury. Redshirt junior Gerald Moore filled in for Jackson against the RedHawks.
I just think it goes to show how well our recruiting has progressed
said defensive end Dak Notestine. We just have depth. The talent keeps coming and coming
and anybody
any given day can step in for the next guy.
Punting Prevails
A new punt formation has spread through the NCAA, and it seems like everyone is trying it - except for the Miami RedHawks.
Many teams have switched from a traditional punt formation, where the linemen have tight splits with only one personal protector in the backfield for the punter. The teams are using a spread formation that features more gunners sprinting down the field, wider splits on the line and three blockers in the backfield.
Every team Ohio (5-2, 3-0 MAC) has faced has used a variation of this new formation, except Miami, which had a punt blocked Saturday.
The formation's goal is to have better coverage down field.
Ohio also employs a rugby-style punt, which gives the punter an option to punt or try for the first down.
Paul Hershey, a punter and wide receiver, used this to his advantage against Miami when he took off on a fourth-and-one for an 8-yard gain.
... It's designed to kick but if there's no one out there and you can get the first you've got the green light to go
said Solich. If you don't get it
you've got to come to the sideline and see the coaches.
Redshirt junior punter Matt Schulte missed Saturday's game for disciplinary reasons. Solich said he would only miss one game.
,",2,Sports,Joe Ragazzo,29535a.jpg,Greg Roberts | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
