who is an alum
said Solich, adding it wasn't a coach.
Solich said he learned while he coached Nebraska it's not beneficial to attach extra importance to rivalry games. Solich's Cornhuskers took on Oklahoma every year, and outside of the fact that there were a myriad of talented players on the field, it was just like any other conference game.
A team can only play its best football when it doesn't pinpoint a couple of games and label them as being bigger games than the rest of the schedule, Solich said. Sheets of paper meant to instill the importance of a win against the rival Miami RedHawks are taped to walls and doors all over Peden Stadium.
Be assured, head coach Frank Solich and his staff had nothing to do with those
The paperwork is coming from one guy who is an alum
said Solich, adding it wasn't a coach.
Solich said he learned while he coached Nebraska it's not beneficial to attach extra importance to rivalry games. Solich's Cornhuskers took on Oklahoma every year, and outside of the fact that there were a myriad of talented players on the field, it was just like any other conference game.
A team can only play its best football when it doesn't pinpoint a couple of games and label them as being bigger games than the rest of the schedule, Solich said.
There is no such thing as a bigger game than the game you just played and the game that you are going to be playing
Solich said.
Rivalry games are not something that enters his thought process, Solich said, adding that he is trying to program his players to think the same way.
But not concerning himself with rivalries does not equate a lack of respect for Miami. Solich is fully aware of Miami's football history and its reputation as the Cradle of Coaches
featuring legendary coaches such as Woody Hayes, Ara Parseghian and Bo Schembechler.
It's a matter of lining ourselves up to play a great program that has a lot of history behind it
Solich said.
The game against Miami(0-6, 0-2 Mid-American Conference) has been the last game on Ohio's (4-2, 2-0 MAC) schedule the past several years, but will be played on Homecoming this season.
Ohio is 32-51-2 against Miami all-time and is 10-8 against the RedHawks when the teams have met for a Homecoming game. Ohio has an all-time record of 46-29-1 on Homecoming.
Corralling the Quarterback
When plays broke down, Akron's quarterbacks often scrambled for big gains and extended drives in last week's matchup.
Matt Rodgers rushed for 80 yards on 11 carries before injuring his knee. Freshman Patrick Nicely stepped in and rushed for 25 yards on just three carries. The two totaled 105 yards while running back Joe Tuzze only rushed for 63 yards.
Rodgers scrambled for gains of 10 yards or more three times and Nicely had a 16-yarder of his own.
It is a concern because you look at tapes and (quarterback Zac Dysert) has been able to do that for Miami
Solich said.
Dysert leads the RedHawks in rushing with 194 yards on 64 carries averaging 3 yards per carry.
Is there a way to stop a great running quarterback? It's going to be difficult
Solich said. He's probably going to make some plays with his legs.
The hope is that he can't make the plays consistently to allow Miami to control the ball for long periods of time and earn an advantage in field position, Solich said.
To do that, Ohio will need to have some players step up and make special plays and have all 11 players swarming to the ball, he added.
Injury Outlook
Linebacker Errik Ejike (leg) is listed as doubtful for this week's game with Miami, Solich said. Defensive Kris Luchsinger (knee) is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
Wide receiver Riley Dunlop, whose right arm was in a sling at the end of Saturday's game, was supposed to undergo an MRI yesterday. As of yesterday afternoon's news conference it was unknown if Dunlop would require surgery, which would mean a longer absence from the field.
Running back Chris Garrett (ankle) who left the game at Akron is expected to play this week.
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