Ohio prides itself on special teams, which is why it sees Kent State as such a challenge.
Heading into the game tomorrow, the Ohio special teams trail the Golden Flashes in four of the six categories compiled by the NCAA. The categories include punt return yardage, punt return defense and kickoff coverage.
They've got good team speed
coach Frank Solich said. And it's showing in special teams.
It's not an unfamiliar situation, as Solich challenged his team to outplay Akron, who ranked higher than Ohio in punt-return average and punting.
But Ohio outplayed the Zips on special teams, trailing only in average yards per kickoff (Ohio had an average of 53.4 in comparison to Akron's 59.0 yards) on its way to a 19-7 victory.
The Akron punt return unit lost a yard on one return. There were two fair catches and two other punts that went out of bounds or were downed.
In terms of punting, the Bobcats also beat Akron, punting the ball an average 31.6 yards and a net of 31.8. Akron was only able to punt the ball 20.7 yards with a net of 16.3 yards.
A key matchup this week will be Ohio's kick return versus the Golden Flashes' kick coverage.
The Bobcats average 26.4 yards per return, good enough for 11th in the nation and first in the Mid-American Conference. The team has returned one kickoff for a touchdown.
Kent State is no pushover on kickoffs, though. The Golden Flashes are top in the nation on kickoff return defense, allowing only 15.54 yards per return and zero touchdowns.
Kick returner L.J. Flintall, who has averaged 25.3 yards per return since the Akron game, welcomes the challenge that Kent State brings and the motivation from Solich.
Of course it has to (motivate you) Flintall said. If it doesn't
then you probably shouldn't be out here. When you see someone who's performing better than you
it makes you want to go meet the challenge.
LaVon Brazill and the Bobcat punt return team have something to prove as well.
The Golden Flashes are ranked higher in punt return yardage, averaging 12.3 yards per return, which is second in the MAC. Ohio averages 9.1 yards per return, good for fourth in the MAC.
I have a lot to prove
show that I can really break some big plays
Brazill said. It motivates me that Kent State is (ranked) higher than us - I don't like that. I want to be higher than everybody in the MAC.
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Sports
Matt Wagner
