After spending the spring adjusting to his new position at defensive end, Melvin Payne showed progress Saturday.
The inside linebacker-turned-defensive end made four tackles (two for losses) and recorded a sack during Ohio's spring game. The redshirt sophomore's performance was a positive on a subpar day for the defense.
I've just been putting in some hard work this spring
Payne said. I've been trying to do the little things all spring and I think it came together today.
Payne began the spring backing up Noah Keller at middle linebacker, but was moved to defensive end when the coaching staff thought he would be more effective there.
He said the hardest parts of the adjustment are learning the plays and the technique.
For the most part the move's gone good Payne said. Everything's not just going to come to you right away
so you have to stay focused and humble.
TETTLETON DOING JUST FINE
Phil Bates stole the show on Saturday, but Ohio's other quarterback wasn't too shabby either.
Sophomore Tyler Tettleton went 7-for-13 for 58 yards, and had four rushes for 12 yards. Tettleton led the Bobcats' second-string offense down the field in the first half, but was hampered after suffering a hand injury to his throwing hand in the second quarter.
His play after the injury wasn't indicative of what Tettleton can do, coach Frank Solich said.
I think the hand injury early on (hurt him)
and then (he) tried to stay in and forced some throws is not what he's been about all spring
Solich said.
Tettleton had a quiet spring as Bates received most of the attention at the quarterback position, but he developed into a smarter passer while also improving his running ability.
I've been able to stay in the pocket more this spring
Tettleton said. Last year
I was a little flustered and would leave it earlier than I should have.
OFFENSIVE LINE DOMINATES
The offense moved the ball up and down the field Saturday with ease, and this execution began with the play of the offensive line.
Tettleton, Bates and running back Ryan Boykin attributed the success to the play of the line. The running backs had holes to run through, and the quarterbacks had plenty of time to pass.
A big difference compared to our other scrimmages is our play up front
Tettleton said. We got a lot of movement on the line.
Boykin's 31-yard run was the highlight for the line. Boykin had a huge amount of space as he hit a gaping hole created by the linemen, and wasn't touched by a defender until he was at least 10 yards down field.
It felt good to whoop up on the defense a little bit
Boykin said.
The line has a huge amount of potential if it can stay healthy, Solich said.
(The offensive line) could develop into as good as
or maybe even the best
