The Bobcats focused on turnovers before the season, and so far it's paid off.
Ohio ranks first in the nation in forced turnovers(23) and fumbles recovered(12). The Bobcats are also sixth in passes intercepted(11) and seventh in turnover margin(1.43).
The Bobcats were tied for 110th in turnover margin last season at-1. They only recovered seven fumbles and intercepted 12 passes for 19 total forced turnovers the entire season, a number they've already eclipsed this season. Ohio also turned the ball over 31 times last season and has only done so 13 times through seven games this season.
A combination of factors is behind this, including quality athletes, pressuring the opposing quarterback and hawking around the ball, said coach Frank Solich.
It's a team-orientated approach
he said. A lot of that stuff comes from individual tackles or an individual hit or an individual interception.
A lot of people contribute to producing a turnover, and I think our team has a great job of that.
Despite the emphasis during the offseason Solich is surprised by the amount of turnovers his team has created.
They just kind of kept coming, he said. Sometimes, you're on a little bit of a roll with something.
The turnover turnaround corresponds with the Bobcat's 5-2 start. Ohio is also in sole possession of first place in the Mid-American Conference East Division. Ohio has a perfect 3-0 start to conference play.
In every game thus far the Bobcats had as many or fewer turnovers than their opponents
and since the beginning of conference play
Ohio has a turnover margin of 6.
Solich said turnovers would be key to the rest of the team's success for the rest of the season.
If we're able to produce turnovers at that level and then not make an abundant number of turnovers, we should have a shot, he said.
Punter Situation
Punter Matt Schulte won't be the only player punting for the Bobcats.
Wide receiver/punter Paul Hershey took over punting duties for Schulte
who was held out of Ohio's 28-7 victory over Miami because of disciplinary reasons Saturday. He averaged 33.7 yards on six punts.
He had a memorable moment in the middle of the third quarter on a fake punt. Hershey ran past the first down marker and proceeded to hurdle a Miami player for an 8-yard gain.
Even though Schulte will be returning this week
Solich said Ohio will use both punters with the possibility of kicker Matt Weller also contributing.
There's some thing that they each do maybe a little differently, Solich said. There might be a place for, as strange as it might sound, three guys.
When asked about all three on the field at the same time
Solich said no. That's a thought, though.
Clemens win MAC Award
Another Bobcat was given the MAC East Division Special Teams Player of the Week Award.
Chad Clemens played in 12 special teams plays in Ohio's win over Miami. He blocked a punt
and Solich said he played solid in all his plays.
This marks the second week in a row a Bobcat has blocked a punt and won this award. It is the third time this season a Bobcat has won the award. The other two were Melvin Payne last week and Matt Weller in Week 1.
Connecticut Death
Last weekend
Connecticut cornerback Jasper Howard was stabbed to death outside the University of Connecticut Student Union. Because Ohio played the Huskies earlier this season
Solich had a few comments.
It's so unfortunate, he said. It's not clear to me what the details were of what occurred, but anytime you have an unnecessary death, something happen as sadly as that ... I did see the one player that was speaking, maybe, on behalf of the team and he was breaking down. It was so emotional for him.
He had talent. He had a lot of things going for himself. It's just a shame that what happened, happened. Those kind of things could happen anywhere, and when they do happen, it's tragic.
,",2,Sports,Matt Wagner,29550a.jpg,A group of Ohio defenders brings down Miami's Thomas Merriweather Oct. 17. Ohio won the Homecoming game 28-7
